We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dayren Santamaria. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Dayren, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
I would hire myself without hesitation because of the passion and commitment I bring to every project. When coaching a musician on any instrument, my goal is to help students connect with every phrase, not just intellectually, but physically and emotionally, so their performance resonates with the audience. This creates a genuine emotional exchange between artist and listener, where both give and receive interchangeably.
If you are a true artist who values efficient, optimal results, you will want to hire me immediately. I work directly toward improvement, adapting a methodological plan to fit the specific needs of each student or group, and making precise corrections where needed. I believe in the freedom that artistry requires, and I focus on unlocking each student’s expression.
However, you might not want to hire me if you expect a rigid, years-long methodological plan with minimal short-term results. I will step outside rigid guidelines when necessary to help the student succeed, because music is not meant to be mechanical. We are not robots, and we should not train as if we were. Students learn and retain far more when they can express themselves through verbal or non-verbal communication, and ultimately through the music or art itself.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Dear Readers,
Hello! My name is Dayren Santamaria, and I was born in the beautiful city of Matanzas, Cuba, in a home filled with music, dance, poetry, and very passionate debates, which is a very Cuban trait. Above all, my childhood was surrounded by unconditional love from my elders and the rest of the family, a foundation I still draw strength from today. I attended the School of Arts in Matanzas and later the National School of Arts in Havana, which led to my first professional job with the National Symphony Orchestra.
In 2002, I moved to Tampa, FL, to continue my musical and personal journey, attending the University of South Florida and studying with my favorite violin teacher, Carolyn Stuart. Along the way, I met lifelong friends and mentors who shaped my path, like Amanda Garcés, Gabriel (Puly) Sequeira, Wayne Robinson, and so many others. In 2007, my mother, who had recently joined me in Tampa from Cuba, and I moved to Los Angeles, where I fell in love with the mountains and the vibrant music scene.
Motherhood became my most cherished role in 2009, and raising my daughter with the same love and warmth I received has been my greatest joy. In 2015, I formed my band, Dayren Santamaria & Made in Cuba, after years of performing with incredible musicians in Los Angeles. My music blends Afro-Cuban roots with jazz and other styles, creating an energetic, emotional, and authentic sound.
The pandemic slowed down my performance schedule, but my passion remains strong. My dream is still to bring our music to international jazz festivals, and while the right opportunities are taking much longer than I had hoped, I continue moving forward. Our next performance will be on August 30, and we are excited to share the stage again after some time apart.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
From my perspective, bonds between people are broken by betrayal, dishonesty, jealousy, unspoken doubts, and misunderstood silences. What restores them is a sincere apology, rooted in a proper understanding of the harm caused, coupled with a willingness to grow, learn, and remain alert to avoid repeating the same mistake. Sometimes, restoration means moving forward together; other times, it means having the strength to move on (on your own) when resolution is not possible.
On a societal level, the most potent quality of this country is the ability of its people to improve laws and address injustices. Just as in personal relationships, truthfulness, honesty, and transparency are crucial to healing. But progress becomes difficult when one part of the nation longs for a past marked by inequality and discrimination. At the same time, the other strives for a future where anyone can excel at what they are truly capable of and passionate about. A flourishing society is one where people choose careers based on talent and dedication, not just financial reward.
Our national and global bonds are also shaped by economics and fairness. We must ask ourselves: at what cost do we enjoy certain privileges, such as lower gas prices? Are we willing to allow other nations to suffer, or to wage wars for resources, to save a few dollars? Could corporate leaders accept smaller bonuses to prevent layoffs and share prosperity more fairly? Extreme imbalance always weakens the foundation of a society.
Restoration requires confronting uncomfortable truths. Native Americans should not have to beg for land that is rightfully theirs. Certain ethnic groups have received reparations in the U.S., such as Japanese Americans for internment. However, African Americans, whose ancestors endured centuries of slavery and systemic discrimination, have yet to receive federal reparations. I firmly believe they need and must receive reparations as part of a necessary process of truth, justice, and healing. Educational institutions must teach our whole history, even its most painful parts, because silence allows injustice and prejudice to grow again. Acknowledging past wrongs does not diminish us; it strengthens us by making space for healing.
Whether in a friendship, a marriage, or a nation, restoration also comes through honesty, accountability, and the courage to repair what has been broken. Without that, decay sets in, and other powerful nations will take advantage of our socio-political weaknesses. With it, bonds can be rebuilt stronger than before.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. When I was about six, I knew I wanted to play the violin. At almost eight, I began my musical journey at the Vocational School of Arts in Matanzas as a boarding student. The first two years were fine, but by the third, I began to feel the absence of my parents’ and grandmother’s unconditional love and attention. My father visited religiously, every Thursday afternoon, with pastries and a thermos of ice cream (which I shared with friends). Still, the monotony of separation, combined with my mother’s critical surgery, left me distracted for an entire semester. I wandered into ballet classes, practiced positions on my own, explored visual arts, and even borrowed a friend’s guitar, wondering if I should change instruments. Yet every weekend when returning home, the violin reminded me it was still my one true passion.
Another challenging time came during the pandemic, when I questioned whether music could continue to support my family. I explored the IT field and earned an associate’s degree in Information Technology. Being a musician in Cuba is very different from being one in the U.S. In Cuba, your skills place you in an orchestra or ensemble, and you focus entirely on your craft. In the U.S., connections, networking, and being in the right circles often matter more than skill alone, though the music scene here is far broader and full of opportunities.
It is hard to compare both realities without acknowledging Cuba’s more than 62 years under the U.S. blockade and embargo. Cubans deserve to be free, independent, and able to choose their political path without outside interference. Despite the blockade, Cuba has developed its own COVID-19 vaccine and even discovered treatments for lung cancer and diabetes with zero to minimal side effects. For the sake of humanity, food, medical supplies, and essential goods should never be blocked from reaching anyone, anywhere.
As artists, our responsibility is to enrich humanity through our art, voices, and creative sensitivity. Even if we put down our instruments or give up, just for a moment, we must never lose our commitment to improving society and inspiring others around the world.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to finding a professional balance between doing what I love and being able to support myself and my family financially. As a musician and creative professional, I believe that artistic fulfillment and financial stability should not be mutually exclusive.
This means continually seeking opportunities that allow me to grow in my craft, expand my audience, my connections, and build sustainable income streams. It’s not always an easy path, but I am determined to approach it with strategic planning and persistence, knowing that the right balance is possible if I stay true to my values and keep working toward my long-term vision.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had only 10 years left, I wouldn’t drastically change my life. I would keep doing what I’m doing. I adore my responsibilities as a mother, as a daughter, and as a musician. I love cooking, spending time together, keeping our home tidy and organized, and continuing to learn, both from life and from our own mistakes.
My main wish would be to enhance our situation to “1,500%” (LOL), so that I could enjoy those years without worrying about finances. I dream of having a home where we can dance and jump at any time of day without worrying about disturbing the neighbors. When that day comes, I’m sure we’ll stay awake for at least two days straight, just dancing and celebrating.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dayrensantamaria.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayrensantamaria/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dayren-santamaria-b7a8b01a4/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dayrensantamaria
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dayrensantamaria
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/@dayrensantamaria8717
https://www.dayrensantamaria.com/santamaria-music-llc
Image Credits
Photo Credit: @dawlinphotography (DAW05878, DAW05708, DAW05955)
Photo Credit: Lawrence Rush (IMG_7474)
Photo Credit: Darnell Bell (Screenshot …)
Photo Credit @michaelsegalphoto (Desert Picture – Palm Springs)
