Lena Dardelet is a French-Dominican singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist born in Paris and raised in Cabarete. Previously known as Helena Dardelet, she brings together bachata, merengue and a background in jazz, writing and performing in Spanish, French and English.

Cabarete and studies in Montreal

She moved to Cabarete during her first months of life and grew up listening to Dominican music. She later studied music in Montreal, Canada. Her experience of living between cultures, and the distance from the island, became elements of her artistic identity. In 2018 she released her first EP, «Caja sin oxígeno».

From jazz to Caribbean rhythms

In 2020 she released «When the Sun» with mediopicky, followed by «Bachaté», a bachata combining French and Spanish with contemporary elements. Color Visión documented her performance of «Juana Mecho» on «Dominicana’s Got Talent» in January 2021. Later that year she released her own composition «Hasta el final», produced by Emmanuel Silverio and Joel Berrido, and «Me asomé al sol».

EPs and collaborations

Her EP «Mírala Bailar», released on February 18, 2022, pays tribute to her Caribbean roots from her perspective as a French-Dominican woman. It includes «Hasta el final», «Me asomé al sol» and «Moreno mío». She followed it with «Invierno y verano» in April 2024. Her catalog also includes «Ten Cuidao» with Inka and «Pa’ que bailemos» with Riccie Oriach.

The «Lunes de Bachata» period

In May 2026 she released «Lunes de Bachata» with the duo Repike, extending her exploration of bachata through an alternative sensibility. Her international activity includes performances at SXSW and at New York venues BAM and SOB’s, documented by her press agency.

Legacy

Her work connects her upbringing in Cabarete with musical studies in Canada and multilingual expression. Bachata and merengue provide meeting points between her jazz background, contemporary songwriting and her connection to Dominican culture.