Maria Del Valle & Lauren DeLago

Maria Del Valle is a Puerto Rican musician, educator, and social entrepreneur based in NYC. She holds degrees in Music Education and a Performer's Certificate in Flute. With 14 years of experience, she has created music programs in international and charter schools. Assistant Principal of Music at a charter school, she co-founded Upbeat City Arts and founded Shine on Kids Arts Initiative. A three-time GRAMMY® nominee, she advocates for culturally responsive teaching and accessible arts education.

Lauren DeLago, a NJ native, studied music education at Rutgers University and earned her Master's from Longy School of Music. With 12 years of experience in urban schools, she was the founding music teacher at i-Prep Academy and now serves as Music Supervisor at The Equity Project Charter School. She also facilitates music education courses at Longy. A French hornist with the Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra, she enjoys piano, hiking with her dogs, and reading.

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