Eleven-year-old Antonio "Nio" Ajero started piano studies with his father Dr. Mario Ajero, Professor of Piano at Stephen F. Austin State University. Antonio has performed in numerous concerts and recitals as both a soloist and collaborative pianist including with SFA's Orchestra of the Pines. He has also been a featured performer at the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy and the Australasian Piano Pedagogy Conference. Antonio is a prize winner in numerous competitions including the SMU Institute for Young Pianists Competition (1st prize), the International Video Upload Piano Competition (1st prize - Variation, 2nd prize - Classical, Audience Choice Awards), Red River Radio's Young Artist Competition, Texas State University's Young Artist Piano Competition (2nd prize), and the East Texas Piano Solo Festival Competition (1st prize). He was recently awarded the National Gold Medal from The Royal Conservatory for earning the highest score in the United States on the Level 9 Piano Exam. Antonio currently studies piano with Linda Parr at SFA's Music Prep Division.
