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Birthplace
Caguas, Puerto Rico1996
Field Best Known For
Cuatro Player, Composer, Educator
Awards & Recognition
First student to graduate from Berklee College of Music with the Puerto Rican cuatro as principal instrument
Emmy-nominated composer
Performer at prestigious venues such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Newport Jazz Festival
Bio
Fabiola Méndez, born in 1996 in Caguas, Puerto Rico, is a distinguished cuatrista, composer, and educator. She began playing the Puerto Rican cuatro at the age of six and pursued her passion through extensive musical education. In 2018, she made history as the first student to graduate from Berklee College of Music with the cuatro as her principal instrument. Méndez's work seamlessly blends traditional Puerto Rican folk music with jazz and Afro-Caribbean influences, creating a unique and contemporary sound. Her performances have graced renowned stages, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Newport Jazz Festival. An Emmy-nominated composer, Méndez continues to educate and inspire through workshops and residencies, contributing significantly to the preservation and evolution of Puerto Rican musical heritage.
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