Rosangela Yazbec Sebba was only six-years-old when she first sat before the ivory keys of a piano. A native of Brazil, Sebba and her siblings were required by their mother to learn music and a foreign language, English, to expand their individual and cultural development and prepare them for a brighter future.
For the associate professor of music, that background would provide the inspiration leading to a long and successful career. While still a high school student, Sebba won a national musical competition in Brazil. At Federal University in Goias, Brazil, she earned her bachelor's degree in music and piano performance while working as a full-time performing musician.
In 1994, after teaching the State Conservatory for six years, Sebba came to the United States to pursue master's and doctoral degrees, arriving at Mississippi State in 2001.
Most recently, the classical pianist released "Sonata and Sonatinas by Camargo Guarnieri as performed by Rose Sebba" as a tribute to her home country, as well as to the noted Brazilian composer and her former mentor. He is considered by many to be the head of the nationalistic movement that brought about the revival of the ethnic influences in Brazilian music.
"I have long wanted to do something not only for Camargo Guarnieri, but something that would also pay homage to the cultural background of my country," Sebba said. "Recording this collection was an opportunity to preserve culture and the cultural background of my country."