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

Alright, Lisa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents have always been incredibly supportive of my interests and ambitions. They’ve always encouraged me to explore new things. When I was in kindergarten, I told them I wanted to learn piano, and they made it happen. Later, I picked up the harmonica, flute, and guitar. They also gave me a lot of emotional support every time.

In 2020, I was considering pursuing music as a career and told my mom I wanted to apply to Berklee College of Music the following year. She said, “Why don’t you apply now?” That moment pushed me to take the leap sooner than I’d planned, and it marked the start of my professional music journey. Their belief in me has always given me the confidence to go after my dreams.

Lisa, 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?

I’m Lisa Guo, a music producer, songwriter, and arranger. I specialize in writing for orchestra, big band, ensemble, etc., and I also love producing pop music, using creative sounds that highlight both the instrumentation and the artist’s voice. I’ve always had a passion for music since an early age, leading me to pursue formal education at the Eastman School of Music in 2019 and later Berklee College of Music in 2021.

I earned my bachelor’s degree from Berklee in Contemporary Writing and Production, graduating in May 2024. In 2022, I spent a semester at Berklee Valencia, where I completed a minor in music technology. I developed a deep interest in Latin pop, began learning Spanish, and explored diverse musical traditions by immersing in the vibrant Spanish culture. This experience expanded my musical perspective and strengthened my passion for creating world music. It shaped me into an open-minded, innovative musician, blending genres like pop, rock, country, electronic, alternative, R&B, soul, and jazz. Currently, I’m pursuing my master’s in Songwriting and Production at Berklee NYC. Being in the dynamic music scene in New York is an exciting opportunity to refine my craft, learn modern production techniques, and collaborate with talented musicians.

Keep an eye out for my upcoming EP/album, which will be released next summer!

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?

The hardest thing for non-creatives to understand is that the path to “success” in this field is usually very different from traditional professions. It’s not always linear or predictable, like climbing a career ladder or hitting certain milestones. Success can be found in every small thing I do daily, such as a new collaboration session, a song that connects with someone emotionally, or the growth and the sense of achievement I experience through each project. Creativity doesn’t follow a formula, and it doesn’t have a clear right or wrong way to develop; it’s about exploration, experimenting with different genres, and constantly learning from others and life itself. Achieving “success” takes time, and it’s not something that’s immediately visible or tangible. I feel genuinely happy doing what I love and consider myself very lucky.

Another aspect of this is the amount of emotion that goes into the process. To me, a huge part of creativity is vulnerability, whether it’s writing lyrics that reflect personal experiences, collaborating with others, or even allowing someone to hear your work for the first time. The process involves not just technical skills, but also mental and emotional resilience to stay true to your vision despite criticism, self-doubt, and external pressures.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is driven by a deep desire to express emotions, tell stories, and bring people together across cultures, languages, and experiences. My mission is to create music that resonates with people emotionally, whether it’s a song that makes someone feel understood or a melody that brings them joy.

I’m also passionate about exploring and blending different genres. I think music is especially powerful when it breaks boundaries. By drawing inspiration from diverse influences, I aim to create something fresh and innovative. Another key purpose of my music is to be brutally honest. I write about things that happen in life a lot, but are not topics that are typically found in mainstream pop songs.

My goal is to continually grow as an musician. I want to keep learning, experimenting, and evolving in both my production techniques and songwriting. Ultimately, my mission is to stay true to my creative vision, share my journey with others, and inspire those who listen to my music to embrace their own passions and stories.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lisaguomusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisakxguo/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisakxguo/