We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rogerio Maudonnet. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rogerio below.

Rogerio, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Music has been a significant part of my life since childhood. I’ve played guitar in various bands and pursued a solo project. However, once I secured a position at an audio production company, it became evident that my true calling was in composing and producing music.

Rogerio, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As a composer, guitarist, and sound engineer hailing from Brazil, I have a multifaceted background in the music industry. I started my career playing in cover bands during the 90s and was later awarded a scholarship for the Berklee Summer program – Guitar Sessions, sponsored by Fender Instruments. This invaluable experience led me to form an instrumental jazz-rock trio, which performed in numerous clubs and venues. In 2005, I released my self-titled debut album independently, and two years later, I was a finalist in the North American Rock Guitar Competition in Buffalo, NY. My music has been recognized by reputable publications such as Guitar Player (USA), Guitarra Total (Spain), and Cover Guitarra (Brazil).

Apart from my guitar endeavors, I embarked on a career as a composer in the 90s when I interned at a recording studio in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The studio specialized in writing catchy jingles, and I quickly became the go-to session guitarist. However, I was eager to learn the ins and outs of producing a track from start to finish, so I immersed myself in all aspects of music production. Later, I became an in-house composer for one of Brazil’s largest audio production companies, where I wrote music for TV commercials and jingles. This invaluable experience allowed me to launch my own business, where I composed music for reputable clients such as Walmart, Coppertone, Oral-B, and Gillette. I learned invaluable skills in handling major ad campaigns, working under tight deadlines, and exceeding client expectations.

As a sound engineer, I was responsible for the audio localization of renowned titles such as LucasArts’ Jedi Knight and Grim Fandango. The latter is considered one of the best-dubbed versions of all time in Brazil.

Seeking new challenges, I relocated to LA about four years ago, where I had the invaluable opportunity to compose for an indie feature film called “8 Slices” (directed by Nick Westfall), reality TV shows, and reputable production music companies such as Megatrax, Sonoton, and Liquid Cinema.

Currently, I am writing and producing songs for the independent animation, The High Meown, created by Claire Dodin.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Creativity is often underrated as many assume it is an innate talent. However, creative work requires emotional investment and exploration of uncharted territory, which may be daunting for non-creatives. The impact of creativity on society and individuals is frequently overlooked.

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

Starting a new chapter in my life, relocating to the US with my family posed a significant challenge. Yet, through leveraging my network, I was able to secure some promising gigs and collaborate with other professionals, which opened up even more doors of opportunity. Undoubtedly, the journey was punctuated with its fair share of difficulties and delays, but I remain deeply grateful for the invaluable opportunities that I have been able to access as a result.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://maudonnet.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rogerio_maudonnet/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rogermaudonnet
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maudonnet/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/maudonnet

Image Credits
Janaina Maudonnet