Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Masferrer.

Hi Laura, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

I started playing the cello at the age of 8, but before that, I already played the piano. In my house, there was a piano placed between my bedroom and the living room, so every time I passed by, I would sit down and play something. But it wasn’t until I was 8 years old that I decided on the cello. The story of how I chose this instrument is a beautiful one. I remember being at school in my Barcelona, my home town, when the 9/11 attacks happened in New York, and an older student played “El Cant dels Ocells” in memory of the victims. It’s a popular Catalan piece that was performed in exile by cellist Pau Casals, and that’s why it is considered a symbol of world peace. It was through this melody that I fell in love with the cello and decided that I, too, wanted to share this music with the world.

I can’t remember a time in my life without an instrument in my hands or without thinking about music all the time. I knew from the beginning that not playing was never an option for me, but I wasn’t quite sure how to manage my life with it. When I finished high school, I focused on my music studies, and that’s when I was able to dedicate all the hours I wanted to the instrument. During those years, I worked hard and committed to becoming the best version of myself each day. I spent my days locked in a room practicing for hours and surrounded by people who were just as passionate as I was. We all lived in a musical bubble. I look back on those years fondly, as I learned a lot, both from the good and the bad. I learned the true meaning of effort and perseverance.

But when I finished my Master’s degree, I realized that everyone expected me to follow the path of a classical musician. And that was what I thought I wanted as well. At that moment, I took a step back to ask myself what kind of musician I wanted to be and how I could achieve that. It was a year of transition during which I had to be honest with myself, redefine my goals, and find a way to succeed in my own way. I discovered a wonderful world where classical music is not the only genre, and where you can be just as good. I wanted to combine more than one musical style and not feel inferior for doing so. And this is possible if you truly trust your talent and your desire to improve. The path was not paved for someone coming from the classical music world, but I was determined to find it.

I was offered my first musical theater production—Fun Home—where I played with wonderful musicians who opened the doors to what has now become my career. For years, I combined musical theater productions in Barcelona and Madrid with small tours of a chamber orchestra and symphonic concerts across the country. I didn’t want to stay in Barcelona and did whatever it took to travel the world and learn from international professionals. A few years later, I won the position of principal cellist in the international tour of West Side Story. I felt that little by little, I was gaining experience and solidifying myself as a cellist. My goals have always grown, reaching places that are harder and harder to achieve. But one thing that defines me is that I like to fight for what I want, even if people tell me that I won’t succeed. One of my dreams was to play on Broadway in New York—among many other opportunities I discovered along the way. And after a year-long visa process, many rejections, and quite a few fears, I can proudly say that I am now playing on Broadway.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

It was neither a short nor an easy journey. My teacher during my studies was very demanding, which sometimes led me to be overly critical of myself. However, she also taught me to be perfectionistic, ambitious, and diligent. She instilled in me the understanding that achieving what you truly want requires hard work and dedication. These lessons are what have shaped me into the cellist I am today.

As I mentioned earlier, no one had shown me that there are multiple paths to becoming a classical string musician, and that any of them are valid as long as you are committed to working hard and continuing your studies. The absence of this professional option during my academic years meant that, upon leaving the conservatory, I had to seek out professional mentors. While this shift was not without its challenges, it allowed me to break away from conventional expectations. Ultimately, it proved to be an enriching experience, as I had the opportunity to connect with musicians who have been instrumental in shaping my professional career.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I am a cellist. As a freelancer musician, I have the opportunity to engage in a diverse range of work, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, classical music concerts, opera, cabarets, artist recordings, CDs, soundtracks, and workshops, among others. I consider myself a versatile musician, comfortable in various musical domains. However, the area where I find the greatest fulfillment is performing as a pit musician in the genre of Musical Theater.

That said, I believe my professional happiness comes from the ability to engage with multiple genres at the highest level. One of my greatest sources of pride is the fact that I have never had to forgo a career opportunity due to my desire to explore different musical genres—and that my versatility is recognized and valued. I firmly believe that saying “yes” to all the opportunities presented to me has provided me with a much broader and more solid skill set than I would have developed had I remained in Spain. I greatly enjoy the ability to seamlessly transition between genres, confident in my ability to perform at a high standard in each.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?

Arriving in a new city like New York without any established contacts or a support system to help you get started can be daunting. For me it was particularly challenging, as I had no clear idea of how to begin building my network or making myself known. As with most industries, a significant part of success—apart from, of course, excelling in your craft—lies in cultivating a strong professional network, which in turn creates more opportunities to demonstrate your talent.

The most valuable piece of advice I can offer is that there is no single path to success. What works for one person may not work for another. From my experience, the key takeaway is that time often provides more answers than we initially expect. Every opportunity, even those that may seem insignificant, is a chance to prove your worth. You never know who might be listening or observing. Never underestimate any opportunity—always give your best, even when you believe it may not be “worth it.”

Strive to be the best in your field, but above all, maintain professionalism and integrity. Competence as a musician is essential, but so is being a good coworker and being thoroughly prepared for each gig. In most freelance work, you spend a lot of hours working closely with others. Your behavior and attitude ultimately define the type of musician you are in a professional setting.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @laura.masferrer