Piano and Saxaphone Concert

Before Manolito Sanguino could even speak, his inborn musical abilities began to show up as he begged for “tuta, tuta” (music, music) at home or riding in the car.   Manolito is a child prodigy and now, at age 11, he has performed internationally and here in Panama, amazing audiences with his virtuosity on both the piano and saxophone.

Manolito was born in the Dominican Republic of a Dominican mother and a Spanish father, where he resided until he was 4 years old.   His father took him to Spain when he was 6 to visit the esteemed Montijo Music Conservatory in Extremadur, Spain in order to respond to Manolito’s pleas for music education.    Although the minimum age for admission into this program is age 8, the professors decided to give him the admissions test in hopes that would end the matter.   However, he tested 8th in the field of almost 50 candidates and this was something the Conservatory officials could not ignore.   So, they allowed him to enter the program two years early.  He excelled and was even awarded the BEST STUDENT prize at the Montijo Conservatory during his stay.

Last year, Manolito traveled to Holland during the December-March school holiday to study at the Academy for Young Talent at the Conservatory of Utrecht.  He would like to attend the intensive summer camp for gifted young musicians that occurs in Austria in July and August each year, but needs to earn the money for travel and tuition for both the Austrian and Holland trips.   The money earned at the BCP Theater Concert will go toward this purpose.

Manolito now lives in Boquete with Heinz Wiesse and his wife in El Santuario.   Heinz was a child prodigy in Germany and is one of Manolito’s private teachers.  He studies saxophone under Professor Tapiero in David and Professor Jaime Gutierrez from Bugaba.   He has played in the bands of the Bomberos of Bugaba and Boquete and the Police Band of David, as well as the Symphony Orchestra of the UNACHI (University of David).   He has studied saxophone with John Dodge, who was selected by Tommy Dorsey to replace his brother when Jimmy Dorsey passed away.    So, although Manolito has excellent instruction here, he  hopes to raise enough money for a return this coming year to the Conservatory of Utrecht in Holland to further expand his budding talent.

One of the truly interesting things about Manolito is the diversity of his interests.    While he spends hours studying and practicing the piano and saxophone every day, he somehow finds the time to excel at soccer, surfing, snorkeling, horseback riding, kayaking, karate (he will be earning his black belt next year), and training his dog Bongo (who now lives with friends due to Manolito’s travel schedule).   Bongo has been training and working with the David Police Department…..even Manolito’s dog is multi-talented.  Enjoy the slide show below to see Manolito in action!

Manolito hasn’t discovered girls yet and isn’t nervous about performing in front of audiences.   His father says he doesn’t think he’s doing anything special, and just loves doing what comes naturally in music and sports.  His dream now is to play soccer for the Barcelona team, which he was thrilled to see during his time at the Montijo Conservatory.

On Saturday, June 26 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, June 27 at 2:00 pm at the BCP Theater at you can be in the audience for his amazing piano and saxophone concert and have the opportunity to see this extremely talented child prodigy in an intimate setting and experience music that will make your heart soar.   One day the whole world will know Manolito Sanguino…..and you will say “I saw him at age 11 in our little mountain village in Panama”.  So, Mark Your Calendar and be early to purchase your tickets, which will go on sale on June 14 at Mail Boxes, Etc. and are sure to sell out fast.

Beside buying a ticket to the concert, you are welcome to add to the funds being collected for Manolito’s upcoming trip to Holland with an additional donation.   There will be a container at the bar before, during and after the concert in which to place any amount you would like to contribute, as well as a container at Mail Boxes, Etc.    ALL proceeds go to Manolito’s travel fund.