Iliana Rose: A Musical Prodigy with Deep Cuban Roots

Iliana Rose is a remarkably talented musician whose artistry is deeply influenced by her Cuban heritage. Born in Miami to Cuban parents and raised in a household rich in Cuban rhythms and traditions, Iliana’s passion for music began at an early age. A true prodigy, she started playing music at just four years old. After years of rigorous classical and jazz training, she earned performance degrees from the prestigious University of Miami and the National Piano Guild.

After relocating to Los Angeles, Iliana founded The Iliana Rose Cuban Jazz Band and quickly established herself as a force in the music industry. She collaborated with some of the world’s finest musicians, including Calixto Oviedo, Alain Perez, Pedro Calvo, Herman Olivera, Jimmy Branly, Richie Gajate Garcia, Munyungo Jackson, Walfredo Reyes Jr., Rene Camacho, Oskar Cartaya, Justo Almario, Alberto Salas, and many more.

In addition to her performance career, Iliana served as the musical director for several groundbreaking projects across a variety of genres. These include The Arsenio Rodriguez Project (a 12-piece ensemble celebrating traditional Cuban music), Las Chikas (Los Angeles’ premier all-female salsa orchestra), and collaborations with opera singers Maximo Marcuso and Veronica Bell, as well as renowned Cuban vocalists Candi Sosa and Cristina Rebull. For four years, Iliana was also the pianist and musical director for the national TV show Noches Con Platanito.

An international touring and recording artist, Iliana Rose is also a skilled composer and arranger. She creates original music for films and arranges songs for bands of all sizes and styles, leading to the founding of her own publishing company, In Step Original Music.

Currently, Iliana serves as the Director of the JazzArts Nuestro Tiempo Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble in Charlotte, NC, and is a proud member of the board at the Sigal Music Museum in Greenville, SC. As a distinguished lecturer, guest clinician, and student leadership specialist, Iliana travels across the country, inspiring the next generation of musicians.