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Penelope Santana Checo

Penelope Santana is a renowned guitar player and composer from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Penelope has been developing a reputation as one of the most promising guitarist in Boston since her arrival in 2014. After only a few years, this native dominican has shared stage with some of the greatest artists and ensembles in the city’s jazz scene including, Greg Hopkins, Tia Fuller Big band, Berklee Jazz Orchestra, Women of the World ensemble, Cyrille Aimee, among many others.

Discovering music at the age of 14, it was Penelope’s music teacher that recognized her gifted abilities and sent her to audition for the jazz music program at the National Conservatory of Santo Domingo. Encouraged and influenced by mentoring guitarist and jazz educator, Javier Vargas, head of jazz studies, Javier consistently introduced her to undiscovered music and ideas of the jazz and fusion world.

Throughout those years, Penelope performed regularly around Santo Domingo and the whole country, at many venues and festivals, some of which included DR Jazz Festival, Sunset Jazz, Jazz en Dominicana Festival, La Zona Colonial Music Festival, Cinema Café, with various bands and musical projects includings, National Conservatory Jazz Big Band, El Metro band, Josean Jacobo, Isaac Hernandez and Toné Vicioso y Aumbata. In 2013, Penelope was awarded with the was awarded the Latin Grammy Scholarship Award by the Latin Grammy Foundation for her outstanding talent and commitment to music, which is only awarded to few people in the world. She received significant media attention, including major Santo Domingo’s Tv shows for her work and success.

With her passion for music at the highest level and thriving in all her musical endeavors, Penelope auditioned for the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where she was accepted and awarded with an scholarship to attend. She made the move to Boston MA in the United States, where she studied for 4 years completing a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Composition. She had the privilege to study closely with esteemed educators and players including the likes of Mick Goodrick, Ayn Inserto, Greg Hopkins and Scott Free.

Throughout her time in Boston, Penelope was immersed in the Boston and New York music scenes, becoming one of the mosts hailed guitarist in the area. Playing regularly in Jazz, Pop, R&B and Jazz Orchestra music. Playing locally at Boston venues and events including Ryles Jazz Club, The Beehive, The Beat Brasserie, The Sinclair, Berklee Performance Center to name a few. Penelope has contributed to countless musical projects, both locally nationally and internationally. Penelope performs major roles with industry leading artists including, award-winning. Women of the World ensemble with sold out shows all around Boston’s most prestigious jazz venus, such as The Regatta Bar. Greg Hopkins Jazz Orchestra playing and composing, amusing Boston jazz scene and performing extensively with her own ensemble Penelope’s Santana’s Quintet.

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