Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia.
Hi Claudia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey with music began in Lima, Peru, surrounded by a family that valued expression, tradition, and perseverance. My father was a musician in high school but couldn’t pursue music as a career, and together with my mother, they nurtured my earliest curiosity. They drove me to drum lessons, cheered at every school performance, and created a safe space where I was free to discover my voice.
Music quickly became more than a hobby—it was my identity. From the National Conservatory of Peru to Berklee College of Music, each chapter added new dimensions to my craft. I became the first female Peruvian instrumentalist to earn a full-tuition scholarship to Berklee, where I doubled major in Jazz Composition, Performance and a minor in Music Production and Engineering, an experience that transformed both my technical skills and my sense of purpose.
At Berklee, I found myself in the company of award-winning musicians, legendary educators, and equally passionate peers. But I’ve always believed that learning doesn’t come from just one source. I’ve learned just as much from security guards at venues, parents in audiences, or producers behind the scenes. Every person brings wisdom to the table if you’re willing to listen.
Now based in Los Angeles, I’ve built a multidimensional career as a saxophonist, composer for film and media, music producer, educator, and entrepreneur. I’ve performed and collaborated with artists such as Greg Phillinganes, Tia Fuller, Paquito D’Rivera, Berta Rojas, Eva Ayllón, Diego Torres, and El Gran Combo, and I’ve had the honor of opening for legends like Juan Luis Guerra.
In everything I do—whether it’s composing a score, leading a band, or producing a community-centered project—my mission is the same: to create opportunities, visibility, and representation for underrepresented voices, especially women, Latinx, and queer artists.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not been easy. As a Latina, a woman, and a queer artist in a historically male-dominated industry, I’ve had to work twice as hard to be seen and respected. There were moments early in my career where I was told, “You play really well—for a girl,” or “You blow like a man,” as if my artistry could only be validated by comparison to masculinity. Those words stung, but they never stopped me.
Being an immigrant added another layer of complexity. Adapting to a new culture, building networks from scratch, navigating financial pressures—all while staying committed to my craft—was incredibly difficult. There were moments I doubted whether there was space for someone like me in the industry.
But those challenges also became my fuel. They taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of creating the spaces I didn’t always find for myself. I now run an initiative called From Peru to the World, dedicated to bringing music education to underserved communities and preserving Peru’s rich musical legacy through cross-cultural collaboration.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a creative, my work is rooted in blending tradition with innovation. I compose music for film, television, and media; lead my band, Claudia Medina’s Peruvian Project; and arrange and produce genre-defying pieces that interweave jazz, afro-Peruvian rhythms, classical forms, and latin rhythms. As a multi-instrumentalist, I play woodwinds and percussion, and I also design educational programs that empower the next generation of artists.
One of the projects I’m most proud of is From Peru to the World, a global educational initiative I founded in Boston in 2018. Through this program, I’ve led workshops and masterclasses for underserved communities across Latin America and the U.S. Last year, I directed a Women in Jazz retreat in Minnesota, bringing together a cohort of young female-identifying and non-binary musicians to study jazz, hone their craft, and perform at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. That experience reminded me that leadership isn’t about control—it’s about lifting others up.
What sets me apart is that I don’t exist in just one lane. I’m a composer, performer, cultural ambassador, and advocate. I’m building a bridge between the sounds of my heritage and the future of global music—and I want others to cross it with me.
Currently, I’m featured on several albums set to release through APM Music, one of the largest music libraries in the U.S. I’m composing the score for an upcoming short film, preparing to work on my first feature-length film later this year, and developing my debut solo album. This album won’t just showcase my original music—it will also tell my story and highlight the power of representation through a documentary-style narrative. My dream is to create projects that elevate Peruvian music on the global stage—works that can be recognized not only for their artistry, but also for the cultural stories and communities they represent.
How do you define success?
To me, success is rooted in joy—and joy is a choice I commit to daily. Success isn’t defined by fame or numbers. It’s about authenticity and impact. It’s when a young artist reaches out and says, “I saw myself in your music.” It’s in the quiet victories: staying true to who I am, creating work that uplifts others, and contributing to cultural change—even in small, powerful ways.
Success also means sustainability. Can I continue doing what I love while protecting my mental health, nurturing meaningful connections, and evolving as both an artist and a human? That’s the real goal. Whether I’m in a studio, on a stage, or in a classroom, I carry my heritage, my people, and my purpose with me.
I believe music is one of the most powerful human manifestations—it builds bridges that unite rather than divide. In a world that moves fast and is saturated with both good and harmful information, fear of the unfamiliar can create barriers. But when we take the time to listen and appreciate each other’s differences, we grow. We learn. And that kind of understanding can make the world a better place.
To me, that’s success: becoming a better person than I was the day before.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.claudiamedinamusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudiamedinamusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claudiamedinamusic/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-medina-quispe-b01800261/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-ZF5bnpjClmYNmJWR_e3A
Image Credits
Main photo credit: Adrianna Curcio
