Soprano Maria Brea will join Latin Grammy-winning pianist Kristhyan Benítez for an evening of Latin American music on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the United Children’s Music Project’s Latin Night Thursdays concert series in Weehawken, New Jersey.

The program draws from both artists’ most recent albums, “Alba Beyond Borders” and “Latin American Classics, Vol. 2,” and features works by composers including Antonio Estévez, Simón Díaz, Ilan Chester, Puccini, Gershwin, Ernesto Lecuona, Granados, and Consuelo Velázquez. Venezuelan tonadas and merengue will also feature prominently on the program.

“This recital is especially meaningful to us because Kristhyan and I are both Venezuelan, and the program brings together Latin American music, original arrangements, Venezuelan tonadas and merengue,” Brea told OperaWire. “It also means a great deal to support an organization that is helping children receive music instruction and contributing directly to the community in New Jersey.”

Founded as New Jersey’s first El Sistema-inspired music education program, UCMP serves youth throughout Hudson County, and proceeds from the evening will support its work.