Today we’d like to introduce you to Larissa Maestro.
Larissa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a Filipinx composer, cellist, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger. I started playing the piano at age 5, and the cello at age 7 (after trying and hating the violin). I moved to Nashville in 2007 and started playing with bands and songwriters in many different scenes. In 2022, I was the first cellist and first member of the Asian American Pacific Islander community to be named “Instrumentalist of the Year” at the Americana Music Awards & Honors.
I’ve recorded and/or performed with a lot of incredible musicians, including Allison Russell, Hozier, Wendy & Lisa, Chaka Khan, 2025 Tiny Desk Contest winner Ruby Ibarra, Eminem, Tyler Childers, Margo Price, Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings, Mickey Guyton, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Jake Wesley Rogers, John Legend, H.E.R. & Daniel Caesar, Toni Braxton, Cam, Brandi Carlile, and more.
I began writing chamber music in 2017, and have since been commissioned twice as a composer for the Nashville Ballet. Recently, I provided original score and main title music for the Max docu-series “Justice USA”, which documented the stories of several people’s experience with the Nashville justice system. This year, I was commissioned by the Library of Congress to write a new work for violin and piano, to be performed by SistaStrings. I just released a recording of my string quartet, <i>Rotation</i>, on Bandcamp. It was commissioned by Lockeland Strings to commemorate the first anniversary of the tornado that destroyed parts of North and East Nashville on March 3, 2020.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Sustaining oneself as a professional musician has never been easy. Gaining confidence in myself has always been a challenge for me, especially in a business dominated by men. I have found that I tend to be seen as younger and less experienced than I am, and in many situations I have been infantilized and not trusted with responsibility and leadership. Looking back on my career, it was very often women who opened doors for me to advance. I am grateful for that.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a composer, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and songwriter. Lately, I am the most proud of my chamber music work. I think all artists come to their work with unique perspectives that set us apart, but also connect us to each other. I write music that reflects my experiences and my hopes for a more connected world. I write for instruments that move me, and instruments connected to my cultural upbringing. This past year I was commissioned by Chatterbird to write a 3 movement piece for two Philippine bandurias and string quartet, based on the kundiman, a traditional Philippine song form.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
To know myself deeply is a constant practice that informs everything I do. If I am true to myself, my art will be true.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.larissamaestro.com
- Instagram: @larissamaestro
- Youtube: @larissamaestro
- soundcloud: soundcloud.com/larissamaestrohere
- Other: larissamaestro.bandcamp.com
