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

Laura , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

🎶 How did I learn to do what I do?
I started playing classical guitar in Havana when I was just ten years old. From the beginning, it felt like more than an instrument—it was a voice, a way to connect with something deeper. My journey began in Cuba’s rich musical landscape, and I learned from incredible musicians and pedagogues, including Maestro Leo Brouwer, who conducted the guitar orchestra that I was part of when in elementary school. I continued my studies at the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory, and later on, I studied musicology and orchestral conducting at ISA. Eventually, I made my way to the U.S. to continue my education, earning a Master’s Degree at the University and then receiving a full scholarship to do my Doctorate in Musical Arts at USC.
But honestly, it wasn’t just degrees or formal training that taught me the most. It was the combination of learning from brilliant mentors, traveling, playing in small community halls and major stages, and letting music shape who I am. Also, I am a firm believer that experiences are sometimes our best teachers and that we learn even from our mistakes. Therefore, I would say that I learned what I do in both the academic school and the school of life. Every note I play carries pieces of all the people, places, and stories I’ve encountered along the way.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

About Me, My Music, and My Mission

I fell in love with music at an early age in Havana. I was ten when I first picked up a guitar, and I still remember how it felt to hold it—like I was being handed a key to something much bigger than myself. That feeling hasn’t left me. Since then, I’ve dedicated my life to exploring the expressive power of the guitar, both as a performer and as a teacher.
My formal training began in Cuba, where I studied Guitar Guitar performance at both the elementary and high school level (at Caturla elementary school of music and Amadeo Roldan Conservatory) and Musicology and Orchestral Conducting at the University of the Arts (ISA), and it later took me to the U.S., where I earned my Master’s and started a Doctorate in Musical Arts (DMA) from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. Along the way, I’ve been lucky to study under some of the greatest classical guitarists of our time, like Pepe Romero, Scott Tennant, Adam Levin, Rafael Padron, and to perform and teach in Cuba, Latin America, Europe, and across the United States.

🎶 What I Do: My Creative Work & Offerings
I’m a performer, recording artist, educator, and creative collaborator.
As a performer, I specialize in Latin American, Hispanic, and contemporary classical guitar repertoire—music that speaks to cultural identity, emotion, and storytelling.

As a recording artist, I will be releasing my debut solo album, Rojo, in 2026, with the classical music label Prima Classic, with which I signed earlier this year. It will be an intimate exploration of identity, a reflection upon my guitar path so far, and my Latin and Spanish heritage through original works by modern composers.

As an educator, I offer one-on-one lessons, masterclasses, and mentorship for guitarists around the world—both in person and online. I’ve taught at institutions like UM, USC and the Pasadena Conservatory of Music, and now mentor many independent artists through digital platforms.

As a content creator, I share educational and artistic content on Instagram and YouTube to inspire the next generation of guitarists and music lovers.

🎯 What Problems I Solve / My Impact
A lot of my work centers around making classical music feel more inclusive and emotionally accessible. Classical guitar has historically been a male-dominated, Eurocentric field. I’m passionate about breaking that mold—highlighting Latin American composers, amplifying underrepresented voices, and showing students (especially young women) that their stories belong in this space.
I also work with emerging guitarists who feel stuck or disconnected, helping them rebuild confidence in their sound, refine their technique, and reconnect with their artistic voice. Whether through a masterclass or a quick technique tip on Instagram, or on a one-on-one coaching session online, I love watching someone realize that they have something unique to say.

🌹 What Sets My Work Apart
My music is deeply personal. Every note I play is shaped by my Cuban roots, my years of academic study,the influence of my mentors, and my own lived experience as a woman and immigrant artist. I’m not interested in perfection for its own sake—I’m interested in connection. What I bring to the stage and the studio is both rigor and vulnerability.
I also don’t separate my artistry from my teaching. I think the best performers are always students, and the best teachers are always searching for new ways to grow. That duality keeps my work honest, fresh, and deeply human.

🌟 What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m most proud of Rojo—my debut album. It’s more than a collection of music; it’s a statement. It speaks to who I am, what I believe in, and the creative lineage I’m part of. It is also a very heartfelt homage to amazing humans in my life who helped shape who I am today(my aunt, my grandparents), and who are no longer with us, to whom I dedicate this artistic musical recollection.
I’m also proud of the students I’ve mentored—seeing them take up space, find their voice, and grow as artists has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

💬 What I Want You to Know
If you’re just discovering my work, here’s what I hope you take away:
Classical music belongs to all of us. Your background, gender, accent, or story doesn’t disqualify you—it enriches the art. Whether you’re a fan of the guitar, an aspiring musician, or just someone who believes in the power of honest expression, I’m grateful you’re here.
Thank you for listening to the music and to the stories behind it.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

🎨 What can society do to best support creatives and artists?

Supporting artists means more than just buying tickets or streaming music—it means recognizing that art is essential, not optional. It nourishes our minds, connects us emotionally, and reflects who we are as a culture. If we want vibrant, thoughtful, inclusive communities, we have to invest in the people who help us feel and understand the world.It also means recognizing that although maybe different in our way of envisioning the world, and in the way we work, we are still humans, and still have needs(aka we don’t live on air), and, unfortunately, bills to pay.
There are a few things I believe society can do to truly support creatives:
Value the work. Too often, artists are expected to give their time and energy for “exposure.” Respecting creative labor means paying fairly, honoring contracts, and recognizing that behind every performance, post, or project are hours—sometimes years—of unseen work.

Fund the arts sustainably. Public and private investment in the arts—especially in education and community programs—creates long-term cultural impact. I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t had access to music programs as a child in Havana, even during difficult economic times.

Create space for diverse voices. Real support means uplifting underrepresented artists, not just as tokens, but as leaders. That includes women, immigrants, LGBTQ+ artists, BIPOC artists, and anyone whose story hasn’t been historically centered. Our cultural canon only grows when we make room for more perspectives.

Engage beyond performance. Artists are not just entertainers—we are educators, thinkers, and changemakers. Invite us into schools, conversations, and collaborations. The more we bridge the gap between art and everyday life, the more we all grow.

Normalize imperfection and process. Social media has made it harder for artists to just create without pressure to constantly perform successfully. Let’s build a culture that values the process, the vulnerability, and the journey, not just the polished final product.

At the end of the day, artists reflect the soul of society. When we support them, we’re really supporting ourselves. We’re saying: stories matter, emotions matter, identity matters. And that is a beautiful thing.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that my work needed to be perfect in order to be worthy.
As a classical guitarist, especially coming from a rigorous conservatory background in Cuba, I was trained to chase precision, to polish every phrase, to anticipate every critique. And while that discipline was invaluable, somewhere along the way, I started tying my self-worth as an artist to how “flawless” I could be. I believed that if I made a mistake, or if something wasn’t technically immaculate, it wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready.
This belief kept me small for a long time. I held back from releasing music. I hesitated to share behind-the-scenes moments or early ideas. I thought that in order to be taken seriously, everything had to be complete, refined, and untouchable.
But then came real life—audiences who cried after “imperfect” performances, students who felt inspired by my vulnerability, collaborators who reminded me that emotion matters more than exactness. I began to understand that what people connect to isn’t perfection—it’s honesty.
The turning point for me was working on Rojo, my debut album. That project came from a deeply personal place—my identity as a Cuban woman, my relationship to silence, to rage, to tenderness, and even to grief.. I knew I had to show up as I was. It couldn’t just be polished; it had to be real. That experience taught me that art doesn’t have to be flawless to be powerful. It has to be human.
Now, I try to lead with that same openness. Whether I’m teaching, performing, or creating content, I remind myself—and others—that the cracks are where the light gets in.
That unlearning has been one of the most freeing things I’ve ever done.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lauramazon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llillaura/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-mazon-franqui-b14534ba/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/lauramazonfranqui
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0gG9a7a8lRecPpdcprSd1T

Image Credits

Image credits to : Juan Espino Photography