Biography
Celina da Piedade is a performer, songwriter and a researcher. She began studying music with 5 years old and shortly after started presenting herself in public. She completed her piano and accordion studies in the Conservatory of Setúbal, where she also conducted accordion lessons. She gratuated in History- Cultural Heritage in the University of Évora and got her master in Musical Sciences- Ethnomusicology in FSCH- New University of Lisbon. In 1998 she was introduced to PédeXumbo Association, with whom she collaborates since, being the Direction Chairman from 2007 to 2011, and currently the Honorary Chairman. In 2000 she started her collaboration with Rodrigo Leão playing in all the composer concerts and works until 2016. To this she added other collaborations, as artist and composer: Mayra Andrade, Uxia, Ludovico Einaudi, Kepa Junkera, Gaiteiros de Lisboa, António Chainho, Samuel Úria, among many others. She is a founding member of Uxu Kalhus and Homens da Luta. She has participated in more than one hundred record editions, plus soundtracks for cinema, theater and dance. In her solo work she has edited two albums, "Em Casa"(Melopeia, 2012) and "O Cante das Ervas" (Melopeia and Jardim da Boa Palavra, 2014). Currently she integrates the great music collective TaisQuais, partnering with some of the biggest names in Portugal like Vitorino, Tim, Sebastião, Serafim, Jorge Palma, Paulo Ribeiro and João Gil. Over the years she has played and teached in hundreds of dance and traditional music workshops around the world. She actively dedicates herself to the study and promotion of the Alentejo musical heritage, collaborating with singers, choral groups and local entities. She is a co-author of "Notebook of dances from Alentejo", edited by PédeXumbo Association. Currently she integrates INET-md (New University of Lisbon) as a resercher, working on the Savekeeping Project for Cante Alentejano.
