Venezuelan-Cuban-American violinist Daniela Láncara Espinoza creates musical environments that energize people. Whether she’s playing a Tchaikovsky Symphony, teaching a pre-twinkle student how to hold the bow, or championing new composers, Daniela is focused on communicating what’s real, human, and personal. 

With a desire to explore the world, violin in hand, Mrs. Láncara immigrated to the US over fifteen years ago. She’s performed in New York at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and St. John the Divine, and in Italy at the Duomo in Siena. She’s also been the featured soloist with: Central Texas Philharmonic, Academia Filarmonica, Oklahoma City Community Orchestra, and the University of Oklahoma’s Civic Orchestra. Aspiring to use her skills and talents as a vehicle of transformation, other musical performance settings have also included house concerts, senior centers, and within the walls of prisons — including Rikers Island Correctional Facility.

Whether she's playing in a renowned hall or a prison, Daniela is inspired by seeing how music reaches and connects people. With a commitment to social justice, Daniela has co-hosted special advocacy programs. Her “Notes for Freedom” and “Loose Change to Loosen Chains” events brought musicians and political leaders together to raise awareness and funds to help end human trafficking.  In recent years Daniela addressed this issue at the United Nations, speaking to a gathering that included Kevin Jenkins, President of World Vision, and Olav Kjorven, UNICEF’s Director of Public Partnership.

After beginning her violin studies at the Colegio Emil Friedman and then graduating from the Interlochen Arts Academy, Daniela went on to the Manhattan School of Music to obtain her Bachelors of Music. She finished her Masters of Music in May 2017 from the University of Oklahoma where she played with the Crouse String Quartet and studied with Hal Grossman and the Grossman Method, a kinesthetic training for violinists and violist.

She has been on faculty at Texas Lutheran University and Oklahoma Baptist University. She currently teaches with a dynamic group of faculty at Suzuki Strings of Austin, out of her own private studio in East Austin/Manor. She performs as Concertmaster with the Central Texas Philharmonic, as Assistant Principal with the Amarillo Symphony, and plays in the violin sections of Classical Music Institute's Orchestra of San Antonio, the Austin Opera, and the Austin Symphony.

Throughout her journey, Daniela has found J. S. Bach to be a touchstone. Some of his manuscripts end with Bach writing “Soli Deo Gloria,” for Glory of God. Daniela likewise dedicates all of her work to that same purpose.

M.M., University of Oklahoma
B.M., Manhattan School of Music
Diploma, Interlochen Arts Academy

Suzuki Certified with Cathy Lee, Oscar Soler, and Edward Kreitman