Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ana. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ana, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s go back in time to when you were an intern or apprentice – what’s an interesting story you can share from that stage of your career?

The most eye-opening realization early on in my career was that some of the most meaningful lessons only come when we’re willing to make mistakes. As artists we often strive for perfection but it’s through experience and feedback from others that we grow.

One of the areas where I grew the most was in orchestration (writing for different instruments according to their capabilities and roles) by assisting with writing scores and comparing my drafts to the final versions. Every project was a learning opportunity that helped me improve my skills.
Today, I still apply those lessons to my compositions.

Ana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

How you got into your industry?

I started out as a composer’s assistant back in 2018. This experience was my first introduction to the world of film music. During that time, I learned about the different stages and processes involved in creating a score. Thanks to the amazing group of people I was working with, I learned how to be reliable in a team, adapt to situations by learning quickly and solving problems under pressure. Since then, I’ve worked closely with industry professionals on a wide range of projects, including films, TV shows, documentaries, video games, albums, and live performances. I’ve had the honor of contributing to works recognized by the Academy Awards, Golden Globes and Latin Grammy.

What type of creative works you provide/What problems you solve for your clients?

I am pretty versatile and work in several areas. I compose music for media and live performances, create arrangements and orchestrations as well as work as a music editor. My studies in Composition and Electronic Production and Design at Berklee College of Music have also provided me with the skills to assist in audio engineering, sound design, and music for video games.

What you think sets you apart from others/What are you most proud of?/What are the main things you want potential clients to know?

I love storytelling through sound. The main focus of my career is connecting with people through music and stories to share our appreciation for the world we live in.

Stories are my favorite way to communicate concepts and I believe it is the easiest way to connect with diverse people and perspectives. Music has a very unique way to represent ideas, it has the capacity to make people feel the story. Every composition is shaped by the composer’s background, experiences, principles, and musical influences, which makes each of us unique and inspiring in our own way.

This passion along with the wonderful professionals I’ve worked with, has inspired me to develop a strong work ethic, which I’ve found to be the best way to align the professional and artistic sides of the industry.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to use music as a platform for activism. Currently I’m developing a project that focuses on giving a platform to people who are often underrepresented. I believe there is value in listening to people’s lived experiences, and that wisdom deserves to be shared. I hope to support those who want to tell their stories through music, as I see art as a powerful and accessible medium. The beauty of music is that it can be used for personal creative freedom as well as a way to honor and celebrate life, culture and identity.

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

At times my journey in music has felt like swimming upstream. As a kid, I struggled with performance anxiety due to strict teachers, which almost led me to quit music. However, film scores made me fall in love with music again. I eventually left the conservatory and spent six years studying independently to apply to Berklee College of Music. During that time, I worked on a multitude of projects—some of which received recognition as I mentioned earlier.

After being accepted to Berklee, I worked hard to balance 2 majors, a minor and a job, which can be challenging as an international student. Given my professional and academic dedication, I hoped to receive a scholarship to finish my studies. Unfortunately, I did not get financial support and had to pause my studies. Despite the challenges, it was a life-changing experience and I’m especially grateful for my professors and the meaningful connections I made during that time.

Today, I feel fortunate to continue working with exceptional artist from the U.S., Latin America and Spain. When possible, I will resume my education, as my goal is to pursue a master’s in Ethnomusicology to deepen my understanding of music from around the world.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-linares-5a0565303
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/es-es/name/nm12386772/?ref_=tt_rv