About
Pianist-Singer-Songwriter-Music Educator-Composer-Producer-Motivational Artist
Latin Grammy Nominee Glenda del E is a multifaceted Afro Latin Soul artist from Cuba, who is passionate about being able to influence, inspire, motivate and collaborate the world with her music. Open to a variety of musical influences, from Classical piano repertoire and Cuban folklore, to Hip-Hop, R&B and Jazz, del E has managed to establish herself as an extremely talented versatile musician amongst diverse music circles in Havana, Miami, Toronto and currently in NYC.
Received her first Latin Grammy Nomination in 2022 for Best Instrumental Album: “ELLA” with violinist Daniela Padron. It is a beautiful tribute to Latin American women composers of all times, where the magic is captured in each piece of the carefully selected repertoire.
Her album, “Q-ban Mixology,” produced by Dave Gray, includes original compositions and arrangements, along with del E’s trademark of positive and inspiring lyrics . The album, a mix of pop-soul hooks and funk-jazz influenced-arrangements, defy generally held notions of what Cuban music is and defines her truly unique and genuine sound.
Del E has built an impressive musical resume, including various competitions and awards from prestigious institutions like: Carnegie Hall Paquito de Rivera Workshop, Alejandro Sanz International Tours Sirope, El Disco and Mas Es Mas, Jersey Boys the Musical, The Amparo Experience Immersive Theater, the ASCAP Foundation, RBC Emerging Talent (Toronto Arts Council), Canada Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Kiwanis Music Competition, The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Royal Conservatory of Music, University of Toronto, York University, among others.
For the past years, del E has lead the New Cuban Generation project, Q-ban Mixology and del E Piano Trio musical groups as organizer and musical director. She also represented Canada as a member of the Young Orchestra of the Americas (YOA).
In addition, Glenda has been an active music teacher holding her private studio, as well as teaching at York University (Canada), Yamaha Music School (Canada), Miami Conservatory of Music (Miami, USA), Piano School of NYC, Art Plaza Conservatory and Boys’ Club of New York, since she is also very moved by helping and guiding children and youth through music.
Born Glenda del Monte Escalante in Havana, Cuba to musical parents, she started music school at age 7, when she started participating and winning local music competitions. In 1998, she moved to Toronto, Canada, to continue her high school studies and under scholarship classical training at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Instructed by John Alonso, she performed as a soloist accompanied by the Counterpoint Community Orchestra conducted by Terry Kowalczuc. Del E graduated from University of Toronto Faculty of Music Bachelor and holds a Master’s from York University, with both degrees in Piano Performance and concentrations in Music Education and Ethnomusicology.
THE TEACHING ARTIST
(-Music Lessons- Lectures & Workshops- Cultural Ambassador)
Glenda’s passion for teaching music came at age 17, using the music as a vehicle to inspire cross-cultural understanding, to motivate and encourage new generations. She has not only taught, but in the process of teaching she learned a great deal through teaching one-on-one piano, voice and musicianship lessons, conducting lectures and workshops for youth. Glenda believes that music has the power to heal and to add a sweeter taste to our lives.
She is currently conducting lectures at the Art House Academy & Abbey Road Institute Miami and has led Workshops/Master Classes at the Valencia Berklee College of Music and at the University of Panama.
What is LUP?
LUP (Love, Unity, Passion), started as a song on her first album Q-ban Mixology, 2010. This song was inspired by and written on a day she was feeling pretty close to the dream, vision and mission of what she wanted to be in life: to express ideas into songs that could influence or inspire others. L.U.P’s video, would not have been possible without the support of many who believed in her, and all together made this a dream come true with the forces of Love, Unity and Passion (L.U.P.)
As a musician/artist/composer/HUMAN BEING, Glenda would like her music to transcend the musical space into a much bigger platform where it could have a real impact on society inspiring and engaging youth and everyone who may feel encouraged by it, either at a local urban setting or in the most remote rural village.
As Cultural Ambassador for Transdiaspora Network (TDN), she wants to heal through music, to promote self-love and HIV prevention. This is a struggle, she believes, that we cannot fight alone, but feeling the need to spread Love and health, to be United as humans, and to have the Passion for social change.