When it came time for Duban Figueroa O. Palma to choose songs for his senior piano recital, the University of the Ozarks student put careful thought and consideration into selecting each piece.
Figueroa will present his senior piano recital at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, in the Rowntree Recital Hall in the Walton Fine Arts Center.
Figueroa, an ecology and wildlife major from Fort Smith, Ark., will perform a variety of pieces, including Sergei Rachmaninov’s Prelude in B Minor, Gabriel Fauré ‘s Après un Rêve Op. 76 No. 1 and Frédéric Chopin’s Prelude in E minor and Prelude No. 20 in C minor Op. 28.
“Each piece I’ve chosen holds a special significance; there’s a purpose behind why I’m playing them which resonates with a particular memory or moment in my life,” Figueroa said. “Rachmaninov’s Prelude in B Minor, for example, often recalls my journey over the past four years at Ozarks. The quiet, delicate beginning reflects my freshman year—full of curiosity and uncertainty. The intense and weighty middle section mirrors the challenges and growth of my sophomore and junior years. And finally, the deep, calm ending captures the reflective peace of this final semester. Another meaningful piece is Fauré’s Après un Rêve, which tells the story of two people head over heels in love—a sentiment that reminds me of someone I met who felt like the right person, but at the wrong time. I believe every piece in this program carries an emotional thread—something that stirs a memory or feeling, whether of a person, a moment, or something more. That’s what makes music so powerful, it invites us to feel deeply and to remember.”
Figueroa, who is minoring in music as well as chemistry and athletic coaching, began playing the piano in the second semester of his sophomore year and has been involved in various music programs since then, including student piano recitals and in the Halloween Concert in the fall of 2024.
“Learning about music in the classroom with [Ozarks Professors] Dr. Sharon Gorman and Dr. Jisook Park throughout my time here has made me a better listener and a hungry pianist,” he said. “I’ve been in music ever since junior high, starting with the trombone and moving towards the guitar and using my singing abilities at times. Since being at the Ozarks, the music department has significantly broadened my understanding of music, more than I ever imagined and now with all the experience and growth I’ve gained, I’m excited to pursue a career as a pianist.”
Following graduation in May, Figueroa plans to pursue a master’s degree in plant science or botany in Europe, but first he will spend 3-4 months backpacking across Europe.
“I see this as an opportunity to experience new cultures, reset, and transition into the next chapter of my life as well as the chance to see the friends I made when I went abroad last year,” he said. “In addition to my academic goals, I plan to continue developing my musical career, particularly in piano, and aim to earn a musical certificate. My long-term vision is to work as a researcher in botany and mycology, contribute to scientific knowledge, and teach at the university level, while also maintaining a professional career as a pianist.”
Topics: Music Performance