Florencia Saravia

We sat down with Florencia Saravia to discuss her career so far and thoughts around music and education.

To begin with, I would like to know details about yourself and some background on your music journey.

I describe myself as an audio lover. I had music lessons during my childhood, until I discovered the studio when I was 13 years old. That is when I decided to pursue a career in the audio engineering field.

My parents have always encouraged me to play musical instruments and the lessons at school were essential to me. The instruments which I might have studied for a longer time were the recorder (from 7 to 15 years old) and the piano (from 12 to 18 years old).

How would you describe your relationship with music and education?

My relationship with music is just like the air I breath, I do not even realize I am living in it. My instrument is audio equipment, I feel like I was born to use instruments to make music.

When I create music, I put my ideas and what I like toward other artist musical compositions. The connection with women is very important, although it is much overdue in my field of work. Due to the growing presence and union of women, this field has become more cooperative and less exclusive, which, nowadays, allows me to express my sonority with almost no limitations. Women, more than men, highly trust my sound production. Maybe, if I had this kind of responsiveness in the 90s, instead of always having been put aside to give space to men (who were perhaps less capable) at the time, I would be in another situation within the audio world.

I come from a home of teachers. It happened by chance to start to work in the education field when I had to replace my audio professor in the course where I studied.

If I describe my teaching style, I have an informal style, which is direct and objective. I always try to make the students learn by practicing the concept.

Have you ever faced any gender equality issues? How did you overcome these issues?

Yes, I have been oppressed in many ways because I am a woman in a field which is dominated by men. I have overcome these situations by being strategic and using what I have learned in martial arts: people facing disadvantages and with little physical strength need to be patient, and gain their territory inch by inch, with a lot of diplomacy.

What changes do you think need to be made to empower women and girls in the field of music?

Right now, we need positive actions, just like the one you are making here.

Message to the next generation

Do not believe that you are the holder of all knowledge. Knowledge comes from many and many eons of humankind and has passed through multiple ancestors who have not kept it to themselves, as something exclusive. Always share new information, because it will come back to you in a more complete form (under the aspect of new awareness). Knowledge is collective. We do not do anything by ourselves. Always recognize that what you do depends on the work of other people who are directly or indirectly involved. Do not be competitive, be cooperative. Do not aim at gaining glory for yourself, aim to leave pieces of art, cultural heritage, and soul for all humankind.