Today we’d like to introduce you to Rafael Moreno.
Hi Rafael, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started singing when I was seven years old at house parties in my hometown, Panamá. Boleros, Valses, and Pasillos from Julio Jaramillo, Daniel Santos, Orlando Contreras, and other legendary singers. were among the first genres that I sang.
What surrounded me as a kid in terms of music was not only composed by the genres above-mentioned but also Salsa, Reggae, and the Panamanian music, so far called “Típico”.
When I was seventeen, I started as a singer for a band called Rumba 5, singing mainly Salsa and Pop songs in weddings and Bars, and when I was twenty, I became the lead singer of a band called Contra Punto. I stayed there until 2009, and at the same time, I completed an Undergrad in Marketing and Advertising, and a Master degree in Human Resources.
In 2009, I participated in a reality show called “Vive la Música”, ending in second place, and soon after that, I became a TV anchor for TVN Panamá and an actor for several musical plays. In 2011, I became the lead Singer of Orquesta Sociedad Anónima, with which I released in 2016 the Album “15 Años”, featuring three of my compositions in it, and a year before that, in 2015, I released my Album “Real”, a solo Album for special occasions such as mothers day, fathers day, and the like.
In 2018, I was elected to be part of the board of directors of PANAIE, a Panamanian Association dedicated to collect royalties for recording artist, and that same year, I began my studies at the School of Music of the University of Panamá, and a Master Degree in Education. Later that year, I applied for Berklee College of Music, and in 2019, I got a Scholarship from that institution. I started my career as a student at Berklee in January 2020, and in May 2023, I got my Undergrad in Contemporary Writing and Production. On November 1st of that year, I released “Album 1”, my first solo album as a Singer-Songwriter, Arranger, and Producer. I performed with my band mainly in Massachusetts until December 2025.
I moved to Miami Beach in December 2025, and last January I opened my Online Academy “Spark Music Learning”, offering Intensive one-on-one programs for Musicians who want to learn Arranging in Salsa Style, Singing and Improvisation in Salsa Style, Songwriting, and Music Business for the DIY Musician.
On March 6th, 2026, I released my first book: Soneos – Improvisation in Salsa, which is available now on Amazon in E-Book format. This book addresses my method to create original Soneos (Improvisations) based on the clave, which is the root of Salsa Music. Following the release of the book, I gave a masterclass at the Hibernian Hall in Roxbury, MA, called “Salsa Singing and Improvisation”, where students of different ages and musical backgrounds came together to learn more about improvisation in Salsa.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been far from smooth, but that’s precisely the reason why it’s been so satisfying.
In my career, I’ve had external and Internal struggles, just like any other human being, especially those who decide to leave their countries and start from scratch somewhere else.
Externally, to mention a few struggles:
* At the beginning, my parents didn’t want me to study music. Now they’re my biggest fans.
* I had to take non-related to music jobs to pay the bills, while performing at night for several years. At some point, I was a flight attendant for Copa Airlines, and I’d arrive in Panamá and get dropped off at a hotel to sing at a Wedding. That was exhausting sometimes, but it taught me about commitment to my dreams and discipline.
Coming to the US in 2020 was the hardest chapter. I left everything in Panamá. My career, my parents, my friends, and even my now ex-wife. Not only I had to deal with the language barrier, which at the time was really challenging, but also with having to be not good but excellent at school, because I thought: “If I’m making this sacrifice, I better give my best”.
On top of that, the pandemic hit, and that didn’t make things easier. There are many more that I can mention, but let’s leave it there haha.
Internally:
* I needed to grow in every aspect of my being.
* I needed to study and become a professional Musician if I wanted to make a living out of what I love to do.
We never stop learning, but I feel that now, after forty-three years on this planet, I’m starting to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a Singer-Songwriter, Arranger, Producer, and Educator.
My specialties are Live Performances, Songwriting, arranging music for every style of music out there, ranging from small ensembles to Symphonic Orchestras, music production for other artists, and teaching musicians of all ages about songwriting, Music Business, Salsa singing and arranging, and more.
Until 2019, I was known for my career as a Singer-Songwriter, TV Host, and Actor in Panamá. In the later years, I’ve added my roles as Arranger, producer and Teacher. I’m known for my neat dress code, my on-point and efficient arrangements, and my on-stage energetic performances.
My competitive advantage is that I’m a singer who can arrange and produce music for himself and for others, and due to my experience and musical studies, I’m able to serve others through music from a street-wise perspective, as well as an academic perspective.
I’m pround to be Panamanian.
I’m proud to be the son of Elizabeth and Rafael.
I’m proud of my family.
I’m proud of Julieta, my girlfriend.
I’m proud of being an immigrant in the US.
I’m proud of every victory and every defeat.
I’m proud of never giving up.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
* To perform makes me happy, especially when I’m performing a new arrangement for the first time. I love it when I can finally hear my arrangements being played by live musicians.
* To record a song makes me happy. The process of little by little bringing a song to life is beautiful. I even forget about food when I’m in the studio. Coffee seems enough to stay alive haha.
* A Sunday at the beach with my girlfriend makes me happy. Our conversations are always interesting. Also, being in contact with water, wind, and sand is great.
* Waking up every day makes me happy because I have twenty-four more hours to live, to change what I can, to do what is within my reach to be better in every way possible.
* Working out makes me happy. I get to take care of my well-being and get in contact with people.
* The fact that my parents are still alive makes me happy. I think the “why” is self-explanatory.
Pricing:
- 12 week Salsa Arranging 1 on 1 Program.
- 12 week Salsa Singing and Improvisation 1 on 1 Program
- 12 week Songwriting 1 on 1 Program
- 12 week Music Business 1 on 1 Program
- Masterclasses on all those areas
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rafamorenomusic.com
- Instagram: @rafamorenomusica
- Facebook: Rafa Moreno Music
- Youtube: @RafaMorenoVideos
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/SONEOS-Improvisaci%C3%B3n-m%C3%A9todo-Moreno-Spanish-ebook/dp/B0GRJGJJ4Q/
Image Credits
1. Berklee Commencement Concert 2023.
2. “Album 1” photo Shoot 2023.
3. Album “Real” Back Cover 2015.
4. A Piano y Voz Concert 2016.
5. Tito Puente Concert Series 2024.
6. Rehearsal.
7. “Déjame Soñar” Live Recording Session 2023.
8. Berklee Commencement Ceremony 2023 with my Parents.
