Gainesville —
Most know Dr. Pietro Vargas as a friendly Spanish instructor at North Central Texas College. What many don’t know is that Dr. Vargas is an accomplished musician who has shared his musical gift with audiences around the world.
“Not everybody knows it due to the fact that I keep both disciplines separated,” Vargas said.
The professor — who is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian — has performed all over Latin America, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. He has also taken the stage in Spain, especially in Madrid and Barcelona. During that time, he has shared the stage with some of the most famous singers in Europe and Latin America. Vargas is from Puerto Rico, but was raised in Naples, Italy where his mother is from. That is where he developed a love of music.
“I used to listen to a famous Italian tenor, Giuseppe di Stefano, and Jose Carreras, an acclaimed tenor from Barcelona, Spain,” he said.
His first professional performances occurred when he was invited to sing on radio stations in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He has recorded four CDs in Puerto Rico, Spain and New York that were arranged and directed by his musical director Tito Forestier, a Puerto Rican pianist. His most recent CD entitled “Pietro Vardell (his stage name) en Tres Culturas” includes songs sung in English, Spanish and Italian.
Currently, he is selecting his repertoire for his next performances in Puerto Rico, Spain and The Canary Islands, which will occur in December.
Vargas, moved to the United States in 1990 and started working at NCTC in 2000. He has also taught at Austin College in Sherman, where he still resides. He holds a Ph.D. in Spanish and Italian literature.
Despite his past accomplishments, Vargas continues to perfect his craft.
“I have studied voice for several years and I continue to polish my singing skills every week,” he said.
To purchase copies of any of his past CDs, contact his personal secretary by email at pietromungiolli01@yahoo.com.
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North Central Texas College professor Dr. Pietro Vargas is not only an outstanding Spanish instructor, he is also an accomplished singer. Courtesy photo
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Spanish teacher also accomplished musician
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