About Me
The dream has always been big. How things are evolving feels like a beautiful journey — a rollercoaster of emotions and places. I never imagined life would unfold this way, so I’m simply living the path, guided by my greatest passion.
It’s a meaningful search for who I am, discovering myself along the way. I feel grateful for every moment that has brought me here, and I welcome this step of the road — a new chapter in the ongoing story of my experience.
Buenos Aires – Where It All Began
Everything started in Buenos Aires, where I was born. At 19, I began my journey in music and discovered how much I loved being a pianist. I developed a deep admiration for the power of the instrument and felt an inner urgency to master it.
I explored different universities, searching for the right path — until I found the UNA (National University of the Arts), where I met my piano sensei. That’s where I learned one of the most valuable lessons of my life: if you truly want to be great at something, you have to break your standards. Go further. Work hard. That’s real discipline.
Studying classical music marked a turning point in my artistic path. I made great progress — until 2020, when COVID arrived. Like for many artists, it was a moment of uncertainty and disconnection. The university was closed, and I felt stuck.
But sometimes, life interrupts the plan to open a new door. A childhood friend invited me to a jam session. At first, I hesitated — how could I bring my classical training into that kind of space? But I grabbed my keyboard, took the highway, and went.
That night changed everything. Surrounded by Rock & Roll, Funk, Blues, and Jazz, something lit up inside me — a fire that had always been there. From that moment, Pietra was born, and I began to explore a whole new musical world: composing, improvising, listening deeply to others, sharing the stage and crazy rocknroll experiences.
My first band, blending soul, funk, rock, blues, jazz, and original lyrics into one powerful sound.
A Door Opened Across the Ocean
Time passed by — I was working as a piano teacher and playing solo gigs at restaurants and events, putting my heart into music. I kept investing in Pietra, dreaming of taking it on tour and making a living out of it. But my bandmates had different goals, and that mismatch left me feeling stuck again.
I felt a deep desire for change — I was ready for a big leap. And then, out of nowhere, a twist of fate arrived: my cousin sent me an Instagram post that read, “Looking for a keyboardist for a 6-month UK tour.” I sent my info without expectations… and the very next day, I got a message.
A sea shanty and Irish music band! Complete with 19th-century sailor outfits — it was more than just a band, it was a full musical and circus-style show. They were rehearsing in Argentina, getting ready to tour… and with only three weeks before departure, they asked me: “Are you in?”
​I had never heard or played music like that before. “Do they even need a piano?” — that was my first thought. But what really pushed me wasn’t certainty, it was the idea of staying home, wondering forever what might have happened if I had gone. So, I had no real choice — I had to experience it for myself.
I rehearsed with the band for the last few weeks in Argentina before boarding the plane. The adrenaline and vertigo I felt were the most intense of my life. Then the tour began. We played 230 gigs in 180 days — nonstop traveling all across the UK, discovering new cities, towns, and villages every day.
Being part of it felt like joining a pirate ship — but instead of sailing the seas, we hit the road, driving thousands of miles. I was even one of the drivers for the band.
It was exhausting and demanding, but the wealth of experiences, adventures, and knowledge made every effort worthwhile.
There were moments when my rock star dreams came true — playing in front of thousands of people at venues like Download Festival, with crowds of 10,000, or at Glastonbury, opening for big bands like Madness. It was a crazy experience.
This journey opened my eyes, taught me how the music industry works, how to be a professional, and helped me grow personally through all the challenges I faced along the way.
The Adventure Has Its Own Plans
And the thing about adventures, when you jump into the abyss of the unknown, the exponentiality of opportunities is always wider than you expect.
That’s when life put this girl in front of me — in a magical scene at Glastonbury — who then would become a key to open a new door to the world. A companion, a friend, and a love.
Each person has a whole world inside, and this special one made me a proposal: to go to Berlin after I finished the tour. So, the idea of going back home to Argentina vanished, because a big intrigue started growing inside of me — an opportunity to discover a new city, a new culture, to open my eyes.
So once again, life presented that adrenaline — to face the unknown.
But this time, the risk was worth taking.
A new scene was presented to me — welcome to this whole new world: Berlin.
I was introduced to a group of musicians who would later become my friends. We jammed often, and I started to connect with the local music community. Faces began to look familiar each time I showed up at different jams. I began crafting my own art and repertoire, often playing on a public piano at the train station.
I got to know the German culture and realized how much the climate shapes people’s personality. It was often grey during the autumn season in Berlin. I had never experienced not seeing the sun for weeks. But I faced it better whenever I remembered the warm and bright Argentine sun, which I always carry in my heart wherever I go.
My social skills and my understanding of how important it is to connect with people grew stronger. Building strong relationships is the foundation of any good business — and especially so in the world of art and music.
When the days are short, the nightlife awakens.
So I suited up and faced the cold nights, showing up in the music and art scene — it became part of my job.
I felt so good in Berlin that I tried every possible way to stay and continue developing my art in that beautiful city.
But… God had other plans for me.
It became impossible for me to stay.
So… what next?
The Door I Didn’t Knock
It was the first days of 2025, and also my last days in Germany. At that moment, I was obsessed with the idea of not going back to Argentina. I needed to stay close to the Old Continent — to buy some time and find a way to return and continue with my plans.
A part of me was struggling with deep frustration. I couldn’t accept the fact that staying in Berlin was no longer possible. I shared my thoughts with my family, and I’m grateful they always supported my decisions with love, even from afar.
Desperately searching for a nearby country outside the EU, I began calling family and friends for ideas. That’s when my mom stepped in — she started reaching out to friends all around the world. And one of them replied.
She had a daughter in Turkey. That daughter happened to be a nun, and she offered to help me by arranging a volunteer role at a small church in a city called Trabzon, teaching music to children in their community, by the Black Sea. She would provide me with a place to stay.
Despite how random and unexpected this sounded, just knowing there was somewhere to go brought me a huge sense of relief. I got in touch with the Father who led that little Christian community, and booked my flight to Trabzon.
I arrived in Trabzon on a January night.
It was the first time in my life being in a Muslim country. I got to Saint Maria Church, where I was meant to stay. There was something about that night… Lying in the bed they gave me, I felt farther from home and family than ever before. A deep solitude I had never experienced filled me, and fear crept in—wondering what I was doing there.
The next day was Sunday, and I joined the service with the local community. It was a unique place. I was living with a Brazilian priest and three nuns—one Argentinian, one Brazilian, and one Egyptian. We all spoke Spanish, which brought me comfort and a small sense of belonging.
That afternoon, I sat at the small desk in my room and started writing—trying to put my thoughts and emotions in order. I connected with myself and recognized that quiet place as a space to put myself in order after so many stressful experiences—
to work on my inner self and prepare to open my heart to a different reality.
There I started teaching piano and sharing music with the small community. Somehow, I opened my heart and offered classes to everyone.
It felt like a little success when the community noticed the quality of my lessons, and I started having students every day — even the nuns joined.
I practiced patience and faced the challenge of teaching with a translator in hand, as some students didn’t speak English or Spanish — only Turkish.
But I didn’t let any excuse stop me from teaching, especially since the place was providing me with food and a place to stay.
Many were the lessons I earned in this place — so many, I could write a book about them.
But what God was really doing was preparing me for something much bigger than I could’ve ever imagined.
That experience changed my life. It empowered me and expanded my heart in ways I’ll always be grateful for.
I now understand it was part of His plan.
I’ll be sharing more about this journey in the Teaching & Volunteering section.
So my days in Turkey were ticking away. It was time to leave and continue with my goal: to come back to the UK.
The reason? The English girl I met at Glastonbury — the one who invited me to Berlin — was always present in my journey, even from a distance.
So I came back to Bristol for her, and here I am now, in this beautiful city I’m falling in love with.
A place with a vibrant music and art scene — exactly the kind of place an artist like me should experience.
To be continued...
Want to be part of the Story?
Contact me for an intimate music performance or a personalized piano/music lesson.
Email:mugicadcmanuel@gmail.com
Phone: +44 7907 961920