Born and raised in Key West, Maestra Sebrina María Alfonso developed a passion for music at a young age. It lead her to pursue a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Music from Virginia Commonwealth University and doctoral studies with emphasis in conducting from Peabody Institute of John Hopkins University.

In 2002, Sebrina María Alfonso became the first Cuban American conductor invited to conduct Cuba’s premier orchestra, the National Orchestra of Cuba, where she received standing ovations. Several sold out shows and years later, Alfonso received accolades for her appearances as a guest conductor with such esteemed orchestras as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the San Jose Symphony, the San Antonio Symphony, the Pacific Symphony, the Prague Radio Symphony, the Orchestra de Rus in Sienna, Italy, and the Women’s Philharmonic, among many others. She even conducted an underwater concert for over 400 divers which received world-wide recognition.

As a champion of contemporary works, the Maestra has also experimented in composing. Her work Freedom Crossing was premiered to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Mariel Cuban boat-crossing in which thousands risked their lives to gain freedom. Currently, she is collaborating with Thomas Dubois Hormel in creating a ballet with the prestigious Martha Graham Dance Company to the music of The Legend of Bird Mountain. The Maestra explained: “As an artist, when you have access to the composer, it’s more personal. I know him and the beauty in his music is pretty much him. He’s a great soul and incredibly nice person . . . his music captures such beautiful colors.”

“Sebrina never fails to delight the crowd. She is passionate in her approach, bold in her delivery, exhibiting glints of imagination with every note.” 

Beth Holland