Tania León was born in Havana, Cuba. She came to the United States in 1967. She has been a conductor and composer for over 50 years. 

Leon was a music teacher at Brooklyn University for 35 years and the director of the university's conservatory of music. 

On December 5, President Joe Biden presented her with the Kennedy Center Award for her achievements in the performing arts.

Faculty and students NY1 spoke with said they are inspired by Tania Leon’s commitment to be inclusive, with particular attention to adding more Latino and Black composers performing in opera and symphony orchestras in New York. 

Together, they’re incorporating fusions of different rhythms.

“It’s not representation, inclusion, diversity for the sake of what it looks from the outside,” said musician Angelica Negron, a former student of Leon. “It's coming from a deeply rooted place and a true belief that we need to hear everyone’s stories.”