Biography

Gabriel Dissenha was born in 1997 in Curitiba, Brazil. He began playing piano at the age of 13 and organ at 19. Gabriel holds a Master’s degree in Organ cum laude from the Prince Claus Conservatoire of Groningen, where he studied with Sietze de Vries and Erwin Wiersinga. He previously completed a Church Music degree with distinction at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria, studying organ with Ulrich Walther. Before his formal studies, he received private lessons in harmony, counterpoint, and piano in Brazil.

Gabriel has won prizes at several international music competitions, including 1st prize at the 33rd Rosa Mística Latin American Piano Competition (Curitiba, Brazil), 1st prize at the Martha-Debelli Organ Competition (Graz), and 3rd prize at the Kropfreiter Organ Competition (St. Florian, Austria). He also received a special prize for the best interpretation of Baroque music at the Tariverdiev Organ Competition in Kaliningrad, Russia, and most recently, 3rd prize at the Elizabeth B. Stephens Organ Competition in Atlanta, USA.

In addition to this, Gabriel shares his original compositions in historical styles—primarily inspired by J.S. Bach—on his YouTube channel.