Edito de Alegre (Happy)Cuban born composer Rene Touzet (1916-2003) is best known for his popular music, specifically his dance music in the decades of the 50's and 60's. He is also known as a songwriter, having artists such as Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby record some of his songs. What most people are unaware of is that Touzet was a classically trained pianist who in his spare time wrote over 200 works for the piano. Some musicians familiar with this collection have referred to it as "Touzet's hidden treasure," and the composer has also been called "the Gershwin of Cuba." Touzet's piano music is colorful and expressive and, because of his Jazz and Latin dance influences, full of rhythm and flavor. Pianist, Maria Letona had the opportunity to meet and work with Rene Touzet, and dedicated her doctoral thesis to his piano compositions. Letona conducted several interviews with Touzet and gained invaluable insights on how to perform his music. One of Touzet's dreams was for his piano works to be better known in the world, but sadly he passed away in 2003. Letona now has embarked on a mission to carry on Touzet's dream. Ms. Letona received her bachelor's and master's degree with Distinction in Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and earned her Doctorate in Musical Arts, Pi Kappa Lambda, at the University of Miami. Maria Letona has performed as soloist with the New Orleans Philharmonic, the New Orleans Civic Orchestra, the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Miami Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed with the El Salvador National Symphony Orchestra, The Miami Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Miami Virtuosi ensemble. Letona has given solo and chamber music recitals in several cities of the United States and South America. She has also performed in various cities in Italy. Her interest in contemporary music has led her to participate in many twentieth century music festivals such as the SubTropics Festival and the 609 Music Series in Miami. During her studies at UM, she gave a recital where she premiered works dedicated to her by several composers in the Miami area. This recital was broadcast on WTMI radio station. Letona has performed in Washington D.C. where she was invited to represent her country in the First Ibero-American Music Festival. She has appeared on television station WXEL in West Palm Beach and has also performed live on their radio station. Besides her various musical interests, Letona and her husband, Tom Holloway, have produced a children's CD entitled Musicala (dedicated to their two kids), which is comprised of original children's songs written and performed by her.