Fabiola Méndez: Musical Journey
Born in the mountains of Puerto Rico, Fabiola blends folk, jazz and Afro-Caribbean traditions
Fabiola Méndez is a Puerto Rican cuatrista, singer, educator, and Emmy-nominated composer. Her artistic vision and original music focus on the exploration of her culture, her ancestry, and her identities.
Native to Caguas, PR, Fabiola began playing the cuatro, Puerto Rico's national instrument, at six. She got her early music training at the Antonio Paoli School of Music in Caguas and her Bachelor's in Music from Berklee College of Music, where in 2018, she made history as the first graduate to play the Puerto Rican cuatro as the principal instrument.
Fabiola's mission has always been to share and celebrate the cuatro, folk music, and collective story-telling. In doing so, she's had the honor of performing at venues such as the NPR Tiny Desk, Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, Celebrity Series of Boston, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, among many others. She has also collaborated with many local and international artists, including the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, Pedro Capó, Andy Montañez, Danny Rivera, the Chicago Philharmonic, and the Boston Landmarks Orchestra.
Her recordings include Herencia Criolla (2009), Al Otro Lado del Charco (2019), Afrorriqueña (2021), and Flora Campesina (2024). In 2022, she produced her first documentary, Negrura, showcasing Afro-Latinx stories on colorism and discrimination within our communities.
In recent years, she’s had the honor of receiving recognitions such as the Quincy Jones Award, ambassador for the Puerto Rican Day Parade in NYC, the Brother Thomas Fellowship, the Whippoorwill Arts Fellowship, and the ASCAP Foundation Lucille and Jack Yellen Award. She was also nominated for a Children's and Family Emmy in the category of Outstanding Interactive Media and won the Latin Artist of the Year by the Boston Music Awards. Her music is featured on the film Beautiful, FL (Disney+), on the TV shows Alma's Way, Work It Out Wombats (PBS Kids), and Mecha Builders (HBO Max), as well as indie films, jingles, and TV commercials.
Fabiola Méndez is a Puerto Rican cuatrista, singer, educator, and Emmy-nominated composer. Her artistic vision and original music focus on the exploration of her culture, her ancestry, and her identities.
“Es el reflejo de una artista que trascendió de la música jíbara para afianzarse con un estilo que abraza el folclor puertorriqueño desde una perspectiva joven, actualizada, representativa de lo que es llevar la patria consigo siendo parte de la diáspora en Estados Unidos.”
Rosalina Marrero
Primera Hora, Puerto Rico
“Her continued artistry represents an embrace of her Afro-Latinx roots — and an invitation for Greater Boston's substantial Afro-Latinx diaspora to join her.”
Tiziana Dearing and Khari Thompson
WBUR, Boston
“Fabiola Méndez, pequeña diosa trigueña con las manos paridas de luz, es un destello de innovación en la música tradicional de Borinquen.”
Vianco Martínez
Acento, Dominican Republic
“A virtuoso of the cuatro”
The Boston Globe
Boston MA
“Méndez, who also sings, is considered a master at playing the cuatro, a traditional 10-string, guitar-like instrument.”
Press Herald
Portland ME
Historical Graduation Achievement
Fabiola made history as the first graduate from Berklee College of Music to play the Puerto Rican cuatro as her principal instrument.
Collaborations with Prestigious Organizations
Fabiola has worked with renowned organizations such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Fred Rogers Productions
Notable Recordings and Productions
Herencia Criolla (2009), Al Otro Lado del Charco (2019), Afrorriqueña (2021) and Flora Campesina (2024). In 2022, she produced her first documentary, “Negrura,” highlighting Afro-Latinx stories.