Meet Zanaida Stewart Robles | Composer and Music Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zanaida Stewart Robles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zanaida, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Priorities have shifted over time, changing the way I balance my time and energy. I think about balance by constantly weighing the advantages and disadvantages of every decision I make, prioritizing the choices that lead to balancing that which is out of balance in my life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a Black female composer, music director, and singer – I don’t see many who look like me doing what I do, so I tend to stand out in professional circles. I am where I am today professionally because of my education and unwavering passion for choral music. I am fortunate that my passion and goals were clear to me from a very young age. I overcame challenges with the help of trusted family, friends, educational institutions, and cultural organizations that saw my potential and gave me opportunities to develop and share my gifts. I’ve learned to make lists, ask questions, and take a chance on that which has the potential to increase my capacity for connection through music. I’ve learned to balance, resonate, and flow. And I strive to help others balance, resonate, and flow with me, making connections through music.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love visiting with friends at home, historic churches, museums, concert halls, natural areas – places that exude a sense of sacredness. I would find a Trader Joe’s, buy a bunch of my favorite groceries and snacks, and enjoy picnics at Descanso Gardens, the Huntington Library, and Eaton Canyon. I would take them to visit museums like the Broad and the Norton Simon. I would drive them down to La Jolla to go kayaking, and have dinner at a trendy spot at Belmont Shore in Long Beach. A drink at Kendall’s is fun after an evening of music at Disney Hall. We might do some shopping in Old Town Pasadena or go the Shops at Santa Anita and eat an epic Korean BBQ meal. We might just stay at my place where there’s whisky, tetherball, video games, and an assortment of hand drums and instruments for us to have an improvisational jam session.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate my shout out to my mother Willie Stewart who raised me and my brother by herself. I am so grateful for her unwavering support of my passion for music from the time I was very young until this very day. My husband and best friend Vincent Robles also deserves a huge amount of credit for being my partner in this crazy adventure we call life for almost 25 years.

Website: zanaidarobles.com

Instagram: @DrZStar

Facebook: Zanaida Robles