Colombian harpist Edmar Castañeda played a major part in the recent Disney movie Encanto, which features a Colombian family. Castañeda not only recorded harp parts for much of the movie’s soundtrack, but also worked with the producers to bring as much of his country’s heritage into the music as possible. Additionally, he served as the musical director of the Sing-Along Tour, giving concerts across the U.S. this summer. We asked  Castañeda a few questions to learn about his project.

Tell us about the movie Encanto and your musical role.

One day I received a call from Germaine Franco, the composer who wrote all the orchestral music for the film. We talked a lot about the instruments and rhythms of Colombia, and she wanted me to record the harp parts that she had written. She also told me that she had an EC Llanera in her house, so she had known about me for a couple of years. [Ed.—The llanera harp is native to Colombia and Venezuela. THe EC Llanera is a model  manufactured by Camac Harps, which Castañeda helped design.] This was a great opportunity to share music; she writes amazing music.

After recording the harps for the orchestral parts, the co-producer of the songs from the movie, Mike Elizondo, contacted me to see if I could listen to what they had recorded and give my opinion. They were very good songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. My contribution to these songs was to bring them closer to Colombia, changing the percussion that was already there, recording the harp, the cuatro, the tiple, and maracas. It was very fun to see how each song changed every time we put the Colombian instruments into it. I tried my best to make it sound more Colombian.

It was very fun to see how each song changed every time we put the Colombian instruments into it.

Can you describe your involvement as musical director of the USA Encanto Sing-Along Tour?

Disney called me to see if I could organize a band of 10 musicians to play the music from the movie. We traveled for a month and a half all over the United States, playing almost every day, and sleeping on a bus.

It was very interesting to play exactly what had been recorded with a metronome and accompany the characters. Everything has to be exact to fit the music with the movie. It was very fun. 

Where are some of the places you performed on tour?

We did 30 concerts, in many cities. We started in California, then went to Texas, Miami, North Carolina, New York, and Chicago.

Did you perform on your harp on the tour?

Yes, I played harp for almost all the tracks and cuatro in some tunes.

You mentioned that Encanto is a beautiful family story. Could you share why the movie’s storyline is meaningful to you?

Before being part of Encanto’s music, my last album was Family, which was inspired by my family and the strength and love that family [represents]. My children and my wife are part of this recording, which was recorded during the pandemic together with two other musicians. We learned a lot together, and [we were happy it was nominated] for a Latin Grammy.

After this came Encanto, which is a very beautiful story about a family in Colombia that shows how important and powerful a family is together. We all have a gift from God, and we have to learn to live together as one big family.

What do your kids think about Encanto? Do you sing the songs at home with them?

They love Encanto and know all the tunes. Their favorite is “We Don’t Talk About Bruno!”

How does the movie represent your native Colombian music and culture?

This movie shows part of our culture: the beautiful landscapes and towns that we have in Colombia, and our families when we get together to enjoy [spending time together]. It was very special to be able to help bring some of the typical Colombian instruments such as the Llanera harp, the tiple, the accordion, the vallenato box, the guacharaca, and the drums of the Atlantic music [from the Colombian coast]. Adapting our rhythms to the film was an honor for me as a Colombian.

What is your favorite song from the movie?

I love “Waiting on a Miracle,” but all the tracks are fun to play!

What Encanto tune works the best on the harp?

I think all tunes work great for the harp, but one that could be really nice as a solo is “Dos Oruguitas;” it’s a vallenato rhythm.

What has been the most enjoyable part of your experience with Encanto?

The whole creation process was a lot of fun for me, like when we went to the recording studio to see what instruments to put in or what rhythms would work best for the songs, or to come up with a harp part that would work well. Also putting together this band of 10 musicians [for the sing-along tour] and rehearsing the music with the film was really fun, to see everything coming alive! •