Enrique Chia
Biography
Enrique Chia has always been a man caught between his passion for science and music. Chia’s love for music started as a child in Cienfuegos, a very beautiful city on the south coast of Cuba. At night you would see the bay covered with little points of light from the fishermen, just like fireflies, thousands of them- such a sight that there is a song, “Luna Cienfueguera,” which was inspired by this beautiful sight.”
On these evenings, Chia would listen with his family as his mother played the piano. Soon he began to peck at the keys, and by age five, his mother began to see his interest and talent growing. He studied piano in his native Cienfuegos with Maestro José Manuel Vázquez, of the Conservatory of Music of Havana. Chia’s mother also instilled in him a belief that music was for personal pleasure, and not for making a living. In 1961, just as the political climate was changing in Cuba, Enrique left home and attended West Georgia College, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Later, he attended Georgia Tech, where he obtained his master’s and PhD degrees in metallurgy.
In 1968 he married Diana Beguiristain. They established their home in Carrollton, Georgia, where their two daughters, Laura and Lisa grew up.
Chia kept playing the piano for small gatherings while working at Southwire Company where he ultimately became chief metallurgist.
During his tenure at Southwire, Enrique was granted 46 US patents for the development of processes in the continuous casting of copper and the development of several aluminum alloys for electrical conductors. Elected a Fellow of the American Society for Metals, Chia has published more than sixty articles.
In 1980 the Wire Association awarded him the prestigious Mordica Memorial Award for his contributions to the wire and cable industry.
In 1986 he was selected for a special faculty position at Georgia Tech Research Institute to work with private industry in the improvement of metals-processing techniques. He later served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of American Fine Wire Corporation, working with computer components until 1996.
Throughout his career, Chia has consulted for the wire industry and has presented numerous seminars throughout the world. Enrique was inducted to the Georgia Institute of Technology Engineering Hall of Fame in 2008.
Enrique Chia’s music was private until he recorded a cassette at the insistence of his father-in-law, Dr. Rodolfo Beguiristain, who made copies for family and friends. The tape was played at a record shop in Miami and his music was so well received by the public that he continued recording. Enrique established his own record label, aptly named Begui Records as a tribute to his father-in-law, who played a pivotal role in making it all possible.
Several of his CDs include the participation of master bassist Israel López “Cachao.” He has also featured flutist Nestor Torres, and legends like Olga Guillot and Libertad Lamarque, who sang accompanied by Chia’s piano in her last vocal recording.
Maestro Chia has a total of 51 CDs to date, that include romantic boleros, tangos, traditional tropical, Christmas, Italian, inspirational music and two sets of international hits of American music. Several of his collections have been for sale on national television networks such as CNN, Headline News, TNT, Univision and Telemundo.
He has co-produced with WPBT, the PBS affiliate in South Florida, three programs which were used during fundraising broadcasts and have aired nationwide on other PBS stations.
Initially performing only benefit concerts, Maestro Chia has regularly performed throughout the United States and Latin America. He has performed internationally, in countries including Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Ecuador, Perú and Brazil.
Maestro Chia has received numerous commendations and accolades throughout his musical career including the prestigious Casandra International Award in the Dominican Republic and a Grammy Award Nomination for his recording “The Music of Ernesto Lecuona” in the classical cross-over category.
In 2008, he won a Sun Coast Emmy Award for his PBS special “Eternal Cuba” in the cultural documentary category. Additional honors include the ACRIN Otto Sirgo Trophy, the Palma de Oro award, ALBA Osvaldo Farréz Merit Medal and the Orden de Gonzalo Roig by Pro Arte Grateli.
Enrique Chia is currently enjoying a well-earned chapter of life with his family. His three grandchildren - John, Amanda, and Pierson - (who he lovingly nicknamed Tito, Titina, and Titin) hold a special place in his heart. Although they are now grown, they participated in Enrique’s annual concerts in Miami. Their involvement not only highlighted the intergenerational nature of Enrique’s legacy but also added a deeply personal touch that audiences fondly remember.
Maestro Chia’s masterful interpretations continue to move audiences around the world with feeling and emotion evoking timeless memories.
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