Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenda Rengel
Hi Brenda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Brenda Rengel, I am a professional violinist. Also play more instruments: viola, piano, Venezuelan cuatro and maracas.
I started music when I was a child. At the age of 2 I started with rhythmic band and first steps in music theory. When I was 4 years old I decided I wanted to play violin, since then I’ve laying my whole life, guided by my dad, Jesús Rengel, who is also a musician.
I started in a music program called El Sistema in Venezuela, my teacher in this institution were Josbel Puche, Alexandra Pineda, Susan Siman, I also had lessons with María Carolina Bermúdez. In 2001 I went to a private school and conservatoire “Emil Friedman School”, where I learned the most in music and academic studies. My teachers were Alfonso López, Iván Pérez Núñez, Ulyses Ascanio, Ramón Román, etc. In Venezuela I had the opportunity of participating as a Concertmaster and Soloist with conductor Gustavo Dudamel, we performed the Vivaldi Concerto Grosso in D minor for 2 violins and cello. Besides classical musical I also play jazz, latin and Venezuelan folk music, I’ve participated in concert with important musicians from Venezuela like Jorge Glem, Serenata Guayanesa, Aquiles Báez, Rubén Rengel, Jesús Rengel, Gualberto Ibarreto, Simón Díaz, Miguel Siso, etc. All of these artists have been nominated to international awards and have recorded tons of albums.
I was invited in 2010 to participate in a music summer camp called Interlochen Arts Camp, located in Michigan. I also participated in the Dali Quartet International Music Festival 2011. I was part of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Venezuela OSV “Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela”, the first professional orchestra in Latin America, I started performing with them in 2012, later I granted the first violin position through an audition. I also participated as a Concertmaster and soloist.
I moved to Monterrey Mexico in 2018, where I had the pleasure of being part of two professional orchestras: Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León OSUANL “Symphony Orchestra of the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon” and the Orquesta Filarmónica del Desierto de Coahuila OFDC “Philharmonic Orchestra of the Dessert of Coahuila”.
Since 2021 I moved to Houston and I’ve been performing with orchestras in the area like: Classical Institute of Music – CMI, The Orchestra San Antonio – TOSA, Houston Latin American Philharmonic, Aperio of the Americas, Houston Hispanic Chamber Orchestra, and many more. Also have participated in music programs for schools like Houston Symphony – DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony, Houston Youth Symphony – Coda Music Program and Melody Program, Mercury Chamber Orchestra, AFA Summer Music Camp, etc.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a path with ups and downs, but always enjoying my journey through music. It’s always important to enjoy what we do as a living. Since I’ve been doing music my whole life is part of me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I play violin, viola, piano, venezuelan cuatro, maracas. I also arrange and transcribe music, and also produce musical events, like concerts, recitals, recordings, etc.
I am really proud of my performance and creativity doing music, I specialize in performing pop, latin and venezuelan folk music, I also improvise, which is really important in popular music, and not so common within classical musicians.
Right now I am teaching public schools and private students, performing with orchestras, performing at private events as a soloist and with ensembles.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I always remember when I performed with Gustavo Dudamel. It was an experience that I always remember as an special moment in my professional career, it is rewarding to have such an important moment as a violinist.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendarengel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brendarengelviolin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@brendarengel6032
Image Credits
Miguel Silva
