ABOUT US

We Are Virtuoso

It all started with Gustavo Sierra, a highly recognized Guitarist and composer from Colombia. He was born in Ibague, the capital of Tolima, Colombia on December 3, 1940. At the age of 17, he entered the popular culture institute of Cali, where he began his studies of tiple and bandola, typical Colombian instruments. There he ventured with his talents as a composer and guitarist. Uniquely enough he was a self-taught prodigy. He became an instant success after only a few years of training and created a unique pedagogical method for tiple and bandola when he found himself short on what the teachers could provide him.

Due to his massive success in his pedagogical methods, he became a professor at the institution he started learning music. In 1962, Maestro Alfonzo Valdiri, a professor at the Popular Institute of Culture immediately recognized Gustavo Sierra prodigy talents and introduced him to the Antonio Maria Valencia Conservatory where he continued his formal studies in Music with his main instrument the Classical Guitar. At Antonio Maria Valencia Music Conservatory, he received a scholarship and graduated as a classical guitarist with great honors. In 1967 he was appointed director of the student body of the Popular Institute of Culture. A year after in 1968 he founded the Estudiantentina Santiago de Cali (String Guitar Orchestra), his most famous musical group, with which he brilliantly emerged on the national musical scene, winning the Golden Tiple and the First Prize in Neiva Anselmo Duran Plazas Competition at the Bambuco Festival.

Our Great Team

Vincent Wayne

Violin/Piano Program

Jaffird Sierra

Master Voice/Piano Program

Victoria Sierra

Dance Program

Lazara Diaz

Music Theory Program

My children have grown considerably in their skills and quality of life. I appreciate the power of music for my children.

- Jack Stevenson -

The Legacy of Maestro Gustavo Sierra and the Birth of Virtuoso Conservatory

In 1977, Maestro Gustavo Sierra founded the Bandola and Tiple School at the Popayán Conservatory, serving both as a professor of popular guitar and a distinguished classical guitar instructor. This milestone was only one of many in a remarkable career dedicated to music education, composition, and performance. Throughout his life, Maestro Sierra directed some of Colombia’s most esteemed musical ensembles, implemented groundbreaking programs—such as the folk guitar curriculum at the Cali Conservatory—and performed as a classical concert artist in the country’s most prestigious theaters and television programs. His orchestral guitar ensembles and solo concertos became cultural landmarks, solidifying his status as one of Colombia’s most influential music figures.

Upon arriving in Cali as a young man, he met Vilma Pantoja, who became his lifelong partner. Together, they raised three children—Jaffird, Gustavo Alberto, and Victoria Sierra—all of whom inherited and expanded his artistic legacy.

His eldest daughter, Jaffird Sierra, emerged as a gifted pianist and soprano, graduating from the prestigious University of Valle. His son, Gustavo Alberto Sierra, followed in his footsteps as a classical guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, becoming one of Cali’s most respected band directors. Victoria Sierra, though charting a slightly different path, remained firmly within the arts, becoming a professional dancer trained at Incolballet. Her talent took her to stages across the world, performing with global icons such as Andrea Bocelli.

In 1987, the Sierra siblings founded a music academy in Cali, spearheaded by Gustavo Alberto and inspired by the pedagogical passion of their father. The academy flourished, training generations of musicians who would go on to make their mark in Colombia and internationally.

In 2001, Jaffird Sierra emigrated to the United States, having completed her studies in piano pedagogy and lyrical singing. She pursued a master’s degree in Exceptional Student Education at Nova Southeastern University, subsequently dedicating over 15 years to working with children with special needs. This experience led her to create Music BrainWorks, a therapeutic music education program that integrates cognitive development and emotional well-being through music.

The musical legacy continued through her son, Vincent Wayne, the only grandchild of Maestro Sierra to pursue a professional career in music. He began his formal studies at age six at the Antonio María Valencia Conservatory in Colombia and later continued in the U.S., where he trained under prominent mentors such as Thomas Moore, concertmaster of the Orchestra of the Americas. He received full scholarships to top violin festivals across the country, trained with teachers from Juilliard, and performed as a first violinist in several elite youth orchestras. By age 16, Vincent was already teaching violin and piano alongside professionals with advanced degrees, gaining a reputation as an exceptional young educator and performer.

His training included masterclasses with Steinway Artist Tao Lin, Paul Posnak, and Huifang Chen, among many others. Eschewing a traditional university path, Vincent took an unconventional yet powerful approach by studying directly with master performers and international competition winners. He now performs as a first violinist with the Broward Symphony and collaborates with elite event agencies nationwide.

Drawing on decades of musical excellence, in 2023, Jaffird Sierra, her son Vincent Wayne, and her sister Victoria Sierra embarked on a bold new venture: the founding of the Virtuoso Conservatory. Their vision is to create a Juilliard-level institution for youth and adults—a conservatory-style school providing elite training typically available only at the university level. This includes intensive programs in music theory, ear training, performance, composition, and music therapy for children with special needs.

Virtuoso Conservatory aims to redefine music education in the United States by making top-tier training accessible from an early age. Rooted in a powerful family legacy of artistry, discipline, and love for music, the Conservatory aspires to nurture the next generation of prodigies, performers, and educators, continuing the remarkable story that Maestro Gustavo Sierra began over five decades ago.

VINCENT WAYNE

Vincent Wayne is a rare force in the world of music—a versatile violinist, pianist, and visionary educator whose brilliance on stage is matched only by his transformative impact in the classroom. With over 15 years of teaching and performance experience, Vincent has become a leading musical voice in South Florida, mentoring hundreds of young artists and shaping the future of classical music through his passion, discipline, and artistry.

Born in Colombia, Vincent began his musical training at just six years old at the Conservatory of Cali, where he was quickly recognized for his extraordinary ability on both violin and piano. Determined to pursue excellence, he later moved to the United States, where he studied under some of the most renowned musicians of our time.

Vincent’s principal violin mentor was Thomas Moore, concertmaster of the Orchestra of the Americas and professor at the University of Miami. Under Moore’s guidance, Vincent refined his technical foundation and expressive depth, studying repertoire at a professional level. He also had the privilege of receiving masterclass instruction from international violin soloist Huifang Chen, whose artistry and precision left an indelible mark on his musical development.

As a pianist, Vincent studied with internationally celebrated artists Tao Lin, a Steinway Artist known for his electrifying interpretations, and Catherine Lan, a renowned concert pianist and chamber musician. He further expanded his piano artistry under the guidance of legendary American pianist Paul Posnak, absorbing the nuance, history, and depth of classical performance.

Vincent’s training includes full-scholarship participation in the prestigious Sewanee Summer Music Festival, where he studied with elite faculty from The Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, and other top institutions. He also attended the Philadelphia International Music Festival, where he immersed himself in a conservatory-style curriculum—taking daily private lessons, orchestral rehearsals, chamber music coaching, and electives in conducting, composition, music theory, ear training, and music industry studies. He later joined the Miami Music Festival, performing alongside world-class musicians and expanding his professional network and repertoire.

As a young performer, Vincent served as first violinist for the Florida Youth Orchestra, and has since performed in major concert halls, churches, and private venues across the state. He currently plays first violin with the Broward Symphony Orchestra, maintaining an active performance season while continuing to appear as a soloist for weddings, private concerts, and special events.

At just 16, Vincent discovered his purpose as an educator—and it quickly became clear he had a gift not only for performing but for igniting the potential in others. His students have gone on to win scholarships, lead youth orchestras, and earn placements in top music programs.

Today, Vincent Wayne is not only a consummate artist but also the founder of a bold musical vision—to cultivate a new generation of musicians through heart, discipline, and excellence. His legacy is growing, and so is his mission.

LAZARA DIAZ

Lazara Díaz is an internationally acclaimed guitarist, music theorist, and professor with over three decades of experience shaping the next generation of musicians. A Master of Music graduate in Classical Guitar Performance from New Jersey City University (GPA 3.9), she is equally recognized for her pedagogical expertise in music theory, ear training, and ensemble direction, guiding students to develop a deep understanding of both performance and the intellectual foundations of music.

Born in Cuba, Díaz’s artistry was recognized early, winning First Prize and Best Cuban Music Performance at the Festival Amadeo Roldán. Since then, her career has flourished on international stages as a soloist and as half of the renowned Duo Bona Fide, performing in venues including the New York Guitar Seminar at Mannes, the Cuban Cultural Center of New York, the Brooklyn Guitar Society, and a sold-out Carnegie Hall concert in 2025 honoring maestro Leo Brouwer.

Her achievements include top prizes in international competitions, among them the Platinum Medal at the Global International Music Competition (2024), the Silver Medal at the Global Music Awards (2024), and recognition as the first Cuban-American laureate at the Redi Marku International Guitar Competition in Albania (2022).

As a dedicated educator, Díaz has taught at leading institutions such as the Music Conservatory Alejandro García Caturla (Cuba), the Paganini Institute of Music and Arts, MultiArts Academy, and Outschool Online. Her teaching philosophy integrates music theory with instrumental study, ensuring students not only master technique but also develop the analytical skills to interpret and create music at the highest level. She has prepared students for exams, ensembles, and competitions, while fostering creativity and critical thinking through a rigorous theoretical foundation.

Her discography includes Doce Cuerdas, Duo Bona Fide’s debut album produced by Grammy-winner Yalil Guerra, and participation in the Leo Brouwer Complete Guitar Works with EGREM. She has studied with legendary masters including Leo Brouwer, John Williams, Celil Refik Kaya, and Steve Goss, deepening her command of both performance and musical scholarship.

As both performer and educator, Lazara Díaz embodies the union of artistry and intellect, bringing virtuosity, theory, and passion together to inspire her students and audiences worldwide.