Zenaida Romeu is a highly accomplished Cuban orchestral and choral conductor, educator, and the founder of the all-female string orchestra Camerata Romeu. She is part of a prominent family of Cuban musicians, representing the third generation of musical talent.
Career highlights
A pioneering conductor: In 1983, Romeu became the first woman to graduate with a degree in orchestral direction from Cuba's Higher Institute of Art.
Camerata Romeu: She founded this all-female chamber orchestra in 1993 to honor her family's musical legacy and promote the works of Latin American composers. The orchestra blends European classical music with Cuban rhythms.
Educational influence: Romeu holds a teaching position at the Higher Institute of Art in Havana. She has also given masterclasses and lectures on Cuban music internationally.
Musical background: She began her musical studies with piano lessons from her mother, who was also named Zenaida Romeu. She later studied orchestral conducting with Gonzalo Romeu and choral direction with Agnes Kralovsky.
Notable work: In 1982, she founded the "Cohesion chamber choir," which helped revitalize the Cuban choral movement by incorporating movement and expanding its repertoire.
Collaborations: Romeu has directed symphony orchestras and performed with renowned soloists and artists in Cuba, the United States, and other countries.
Film work: She has also served as a musical director for Cuban animated and feature films.
Awards and recognition
Zenaida Romeu and Camerata Romeu have received numerous awards for their musical contributions, including:
Multiple Cubadisco Awards
Latin Grammy nominations
The Order for Cuban Culture
The Giraldilla of Havana