We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Juan Alvarado a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Juan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

It was a quiet evening in my teenage years, back in Colombia. I had just gotten my first electric guitar—a gift that instantly became my most prized possession. I remember sitting on the edge of my bed, carefully learning the song “The Unforgiven” by Metallica. It wasn’t just the technique that captivated me—it was the emotion behind each note. I could feel the story, the longing, and the passion pouring through every chord. That song spoke to something deep inside me—something words couldn’t fully express.

In that moment, I understood that music had the power to move people, to express pain and strength all at once. I didn’t have the words for it back then, but I knew this was more than a hobby. This was a language I wanted to master—a path I felt drawn to with my whole being.

Even as my life unfolded in a more traditional way—studying engineering, building a career in consulting and finance—music remained my constant. I kept playing late at night, composing whenever I had a moment of silence. And eventually, I realized that this creative part of me wasn’t going away—it was growing louder, asking to be heard.

That’s when Breath of Illusions was born. It wasn’t a sudden decision, but the fulfillment of a promise I had made to myself years before: that no matter what happened, I would honor the artist within me. And every time I pick up the guitar, I’m taken right back to that night with The Unforgiven—the beginning of a journey that still drives me today.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Juan Alvarado. I’m a guitarist, composer, and producer from Colombia, and the founder of Breath of Illusions, a progressive rock project that blends emotional storytelling with technical musicianship. Music has been part of my life since I was a teenager—it started as a way to explore my thoughts and emotions, and over the years it evolved into a powerful creative outlet that runs parallel to my professional life.

By day, I lead strategic initiatives in financial services as a Principal at Mastercard, overseeing teams across LAC. I’ve had the privilege of working on innovation-driven projects, including crypto, digital payments, and AI-enabled solutions. I also hold a BSc and MSc in Industrial Engineering, and recently completed a Global Executive MBA at INSEAD—experiences that have helped shape my perspective as both a business leader and an artist.

Despite the demands of that world, I’ve never stopped writing, playing, or producing music. Breath of Illusions is where I channel everything—my personal reflections, my questions about life, and the emotions I can’t express in boardrooms. The music is rooted in progressive rock and instrumental storytelling, with influences ranging from Dream Theater and Joe Satriani to Pink Floyd and Steve Vai. Each song is designed to take listeners on a journey, sometimes through calm and beauty, other times through chaos and tension.

What I’m most proud of is staying true to that artistic vision across three full albums—Walking the Unknown, The Awakening, and Hectic Times. Each project reflects a different stage of my life, and each track is an honest expression of who I was at that time.

What I’d like people to know is that this project is more than music—it’s a space to reflect, to feel, and to connect. I don’t create to impress; I create to share stories that matter. If you’re someone who values depth, emotion, and sonic exploration, Breath of Illusions was made for you.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most defining tests of resilience came during the creation of my first album, Walking the Unknown. I had just started recording it while balancing the demands of a high-pressure leadership role in the financial sector. My days were filled with meetings, strategic decisions, and international projects—and my nights were consumed by melodies, lyrics, and mixes. It was exhausting, physically and emotionally.

I didn’t have a professional studio at the time. I recorded most of the album in a modest home setup, often redoing takes because the sound wasn’t quite right or because my mind was too tired to play with precision. There were moments I questioned if I could really finish it—if I was fooling myself trying to be both an artist and a corporate leader.

But giving up was never an option. Every time I pressed record, I remembered why I started: because music was the only way I knew how to process the world. It helped me cope with internal struggles, personal losses, and even moments of joy I couldn’t explain in words.

That album took more than a year to finish. And when it was finally released, the messages I received from people who were touched by the music made every sleepless night worth it. That journey taught me that resilience isn’t just about persistence—it’s about staying true to your purpose even when no one’s watching and when the path ahead is unclear.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Absolutely. My creative journey is driven by a desire to transform deep emotions into sonic experiences—music that doesn’t just entertain, but connects on a human level. Through Breath of Illusions, I want to give voice to the feelings we all carry but sometimes struggle to name: heartbreak, hope, regret, inner conflict, courage.

My mission is to build emotional bridges through sound. I believe music has the power to heal, awaken, and inspire—especially when it’s honest. I’m fascinated by the duality of our lives. In my own case, I live between two worlds: one structured, data-driven, and strategic; the other fluid, instinctive, and artistic. My music is where those two worlds meet.

Whether I’m writing about the destruction of our planet, the wounds we carry from war, or the personal pain of letting someone down—I aim to tell stories that matter. My goal isn’t perfection. It’s authenticity. If a song helps someone feel seen or less alone, then I’ve done my job as an artist.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @breathofillusions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-p-alvarado-v
• Youtube: @breathofillusions