Professor Alina Orraca, a dynamic and engaging personality, is a conductor with considerable artistic sensibilities and a powerful creative energy. She is one of Cuba’s most eminent choral conductors and educators and has presented highly successful courses, workshops, and performances in Nicaragua, the Vatican, Venezuela, Spain, Brazil, México and Sweden, as well as Cuba and Canada. From 1978 to 2000, Professor Orraca was Head of the Department of Choral Conducting at Instituto Superior de Arte (Superior Institute of Arts), Cuba’s most prestigious training institute for musicians.
Currently, Ms. Orraca is the Director of the Schola Cantorum Coralina, a mixed chorus consisting of teachers, students and amateur singers in Havana. Founded in 1993 by Professor Orraca, Coralina has become one of Cuba’s leading choirs. Coralina is distinguished by its versatility and capacity to authentically perform a wide variety of styles ranging from Renaissance to contemporary music. Works from the Cuban and Latin American repertory, including folk, traditional, and contemporary music, are a particular specialty. Virtuosity, dynamism, humor, and a deep ‘Cubaness’ characterize Coralina´s performances. In addition to performing in the most important concert halls of Cuba to universal acclaim, the choir has toured extensively, including visits to Venezuela (1994, 2005), Brazil (1997), Italy (1998, 2001), the Vatican (1998), Spain (1998, 1999, 2001, 2004), Mexico (2004), Ecuador (2004), Argentina and Chile (2005).
Comments from Critics
The choir possesses an excellent tuning and a great musicality. The equilibrated adding of instruments shows a very good taste.”
Oscar Escalada, Argentina
“I have been in presence of one of the few choral groups in which Cuban music sounds like the one we make in eastern provinces… and this is hard to find here in Havana.”
Conrado Monier, Cuba
“It is easy to find musicians with a high academic level. Other times, we hear a tremendous display of emotion and expressiveness. But those two qualities are rarely together; and Coralina summarize them.”
Daniel Barenboim
“Coralina choir is the very essence of Cuba, their voices get together, and conjugate love, friendship… art”.
Paloma Gómez Borrero , Spain
Workshops with Alina Orraca
Session I -- Go with the Pulse - Choral Traditions of Cuba
Take a cultural and historical journey through Cuba’s rich choral tradition. As well as music from the European Renaissance and Baroque and the choral music of other Latin American countries such as Brazil and Venezuela that has become part of Cuba’s choral heritage, sing and learn about traditional Cuban vocal music, including changui son for choir, trova (both traditional and contemporary), guaracha for choir. Gain a new perspective on Cuba’s choral traditions and acquire concrete tools to enhance your expertise in conducting and teaching these wonderful choral works.
Session II -- Let the Music Dance
In Cuba, music and dance are inextricably woven into the fabric of life. In this session participate in a choir under Alina’s direction and experience first hand how she works her magic. As the saying goes, “good things come in small packages.” This small but formidable dynamo of Cuban passion demonstrates how she integrates ‘the full body experience’ into performance. The language and rhythms of the music come alive and fully engage performers and audiences alike. It is impossible to resist the urge to move. Alina also shares her views and formidable expertise on several related topics: the conductor's role, conducting technique, rehearsal techniques, and choral pedagogy. Experience her warm and passionate approach to teaching, conducting, and music. Be prepared to sing with your entire body!
Alina Orraca – Conductor
Alina Orraca is available for a limited number of engagements as a guest conductor with professional, university/college, high school, junior high/middle school, church, and children’s choirs. Alina is an inspirational, warm, humorous, and passionate guest conductor with considerable artistic and conducting skills, capable of inspiring and motivating choirs of all sizes and ages. She is very experienced in guest conducting large massed choral groups. In addition, she can conduct workshops dealing with Cuban choral music, or choral music and techniques in general with your choir.
