María, welcome! We’re so interested to learn about your journey into music. Could you share how your musical story began and what that path has been like for you so far?

I’m really happy to be here, thank you.

I started in music when I was just five years old. Even though I don’t come from a musical background, my parents enrolled me in music lessons—and from that point on, I was completely drawn in. I started making music at a young age and never really stopped. Piano lessons, singing in choirs, and spending every free moment outside of school immersed in music naturally led me to study composition and production for my undergraduate degree.

After finishing my undergrad in Colombia and working for a few years as a composer, I realized that what truly inspired me was writing music for film. I’ve always loved the arts in general—besides music, I’ve been passionate about drawing and photography from a young age. That broader interest in visual storytelling made film scoring feel like the perfect way to connect all of my creative interests.

Eventually, I decided to pursue a Master’s in Film Scoring at New York University. That experience helped me grow both technically and artistically, and it’s been a defining part of my journey as a composer.

In your work, you have previously written songs for different films and series. Can you share more about your experience as a songwriter, and how that process differs from composing a score?

Writing songs for films and series is something I find especially rewarding because it brings together everything I love—music, storytelling, and the visual world of a project. I’ve been a songwriter for as long as I can remember, so this process feels very natural to me. What I find most interesting is the challenge of writing lyrics that belong to a specific universe. Whether it’s a fictional world, a historical setting, or a unique character’s point of view, creating a song that feels like it could only exist in that particular story is a fascinating process.

I’ve had the chance to write songs for indie films, as well as series for Telemundo, Nickelodeon, among others, as well as for my own personal music projects. I also have a strong background as a vocalist and music producer, so writing and producing a song—bringing in the right musicians, shaping the arrangement, and leading the creative direction—is something I really enjoy and feel deeply connected to. It allows me to bring all my skills together in a focused and expressive way.

Can you share how you approached scoring Higuita: The Way of the Scorpion for Netflix and what the experience was like?

Scoring Higuita: The Way of the Scorpion was such an incredible and moving experience. Soccer is deeply ingrained in Colombian culture, and René Higuita is one of the most iconic figures of the sport, especially during the vibrant and transformative era of the 1990s. It was fascinating to dive into that period and create a sound palette that reflected both the energy of Colombian soccer at the time and the unique spirit Higuita brought to the game.

The documentary was directed by Luis Ara from Uruguay, and working closely with him and the production team was a rewarding collaboration. My approach blended traditional Colombian musical elements with modern sounds to capture the intensity of Higuita’s playing style, the complexity of his personal journey, and the broader cultural significance of soccer in Colombia.

The 90’s were a pivotal time for Soccer and crafting music that evoked that era while supporting the narrative was a creative challenge I really enjoyed. Together, we developed a sonic landscape that elevates the storytelling and connects viewers emotionally with Higuita’s remarkable life and legacy. Being part of this project on a global platform like Netflix made the experience all the more meaningful.

Can you share how Fiona Records started and what your plans are for its future?

I founded Fiona Records in 2014 in Bogotá, as a music production house offering music composition, sound design, and audio production services. It was a dream of mine to create a space where I could build a dedicated team, and pursue new creative opportunities. Over time, Fiona Records has grown into a collaborative hub focused on delivering high-quality audio and music experiences.

Currently, Fiona Records operates in both Colombia and the United States, and we’re aiming to expand to Mexico in the near future. Moving forward, I want to continue growing our talented team and take on innovative projects that blend music and storytelling in exciting ways. Ultimately, I see Fiona Records becoming a leading production house known for pushing creative boundaries and delivering compelling audio across the Americas.

What does community mean to you as a film composer?

Community is everything to me. I’m a founding member of Mucine, the Colombian association of film composers, and have served on its board since 2017. I’m also involved with the Recording Academy, Latin Recording Academy, Women in Music Colombia, and recently joined the board of the Academia Colombiana de Artes Cinematográficas.

Since moving to the US, joining The Alliance for Women Film Composers has been truly transformative. It has provided me with invaluable support, connection, and incredible friends and colleagues. Through this community, I’ve experienced firsthand the power of collaboration—bringing projects to life together, creating opportunities, and amplifying our collective work.

For me, community is about learning, sharing, and lifting up underrepresented voices. It’s a source of motivation and a constant reminder that we’re stronger when we stand together.

Can you tell us about your work producing live film concerts, particularly the annual concert series you lead during the Bogotá International Film Festival?

In my role as a film concert producer, I create live experiences where film scores are performed alongside screenings or as standalone concerts. This involves coordinating with orchestras, venues, film festivals, and technical teams to deliver immersive events that celebrate the power of film music. Producing these concerts is incredibly rewarding because it connects audiences directly with the emotional core of the music and the stories behind the films.

Since 2018, I have led an annual concert series during the Bogotá International Film Festival (BIFF), where we compose and perform original scores for silent films. I guide a group of composers in collaboratively creating music that has never been performed before, providing the creative direction to make each event a unique and collective experience. To date, I have produced more than 20 concerts in Colombia, collaborating with some of the country’s most prestigious orchestras and performing in renowned venues such as Teatro Colón de Bogotá and Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo.

It’s been wonderful having you, María. Before we wrap up, we’re curious if you have any upcoming projects or exciting plans, either in your music career or your personal life, that you’d be comfortable discussing? Thank you again for your time and insights.

Matrioshka, a film by Jorge Forero, was recently showcased at the Havana Film Festival New York and had its theatrical release in Colombia last May. This project holds a special place in my heart, and while the score itself is subtle, I thoroughly enjoyed the creative process. The film tells a profound, deeply human story centered around three women and their family experiences. Being part of a project that amplifies women’s voices and perspectives made the collaboration especially meaningful and rewarding for me.

I really enjoy working on diverse projects and embracing creative challenges. Right now, I’m preparing to score a Mexican feature film that’s completely different from anything I’ve done before, which is both exciting and inspiring. At the same time, I’m developing a personal project that I’ll be performing in 2026—an immersive experience that combines composition and live performance.

Interview by Michael Van Bodegom Smith.

Check out Maria’s Directory page here.