Meet Raul Blanco
Raul Blanco is a Cuban pianist, educator, arranger, and composer specializing in authentic Cuban piano traditions, modern montuno language, and Afro-Latin piano accompaniment. Through his courses and educational content, he has helped thousands of musicians worldwide develop a deeper understanding of Cuban piano.
Credentials & Professional Experience
Conservatory-trained in Cuba from childhood, including studies at the Alejandro García Caturla and Amadeo Roldán conservatories, Raul holds a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Piano and a Master’s degree in Jazz Piano.
In addition to his formal training, he has performed and collaborated with internationally recognized artists including Alain Pérez, Tony Succar, Manolín “El Médico de la Salsa,” José Alberto “El Canario,” Ignacio Berroa, Yturvides Vilches, Tony Vega, and others.
His professional experience spans Cuban timba, salsa, Latin jazz, orchestral performance, arranging, composition, and musical direction.
Through his educational platform and YouTube channels, Raul teaches thousands of musicians worldwide, translating real-world Cuban piano tradition into structured, practical learning systems for serious students.
Why His Teaching Is Different
Raul combines formal conservatory training, real-world Cuban performance practice, and modern pedagogy to break down complex musical traditions into structured, practical systems for serious students.
Philosophy
I believe music is best learned as a language—through tradition, analysis, listening, and practical application. Teaching has always been one of my deepest passions, and I approach it as a craft: understanding how each student thinks, identifying their obstacles, and developing methods, exercises, and frameworks that turn complexity into clear, structured progress.
