Berta Rojas (59) is a Latin Grammy-winning guitarist from Paraguay, celebrated as one of the leading classical guitarists of her generation. In this interview with The Asunción Times, looking towards a new year, the celebrated musician reflects on identity, patience, and authenticity as she bridges Latin America through music.
Her latest project, The Journey of Strings, is not only an album but an immersive multimedia experience. Through augmented reality, listeners can scan the pages of its companion book to watch documentaries and music videos that bring each piece to life. “It is like a game,” Rojas smiled. “You can explore and play with sound. It is a gift we wanted to give to the public, a way to experience music with eyes and ears.”
Rooted in Paraguay, heard around the world
Known for her expressive playing and innovative projects, she has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Beyond performance, she is a dedicated educator, serving as an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Through her work, Rojas has become a cultural ambassador for Paraguay, blending tradition and modernity to share Latin American music worldwide.
Some of Berta Rojas’s most acclaimed works include her albums Intimate Barrios (2008), Dia y Medio (2012), recorded with Paquito D’Rivera and nominated for a Latin Grammy. Also, Salsa Roja (2014). She won two Latin Grammy Awards in 2022 for Legado, a tribute to pioneering women guitarists Ida Presti and María Luisa Anido. Earlier in her career, Cielo Abierto (2006) and Terruño (2009) also earned international recognition for their lyrical interpretation of Latin American repertoire. Her latest project, The Journey of Strings (La Huella de las Cuerdas), continues this legacy, celebrating the instruments and sounds that unite Latin America.
Berta Rojas remains deeply connected to her Paraguayan roots even as her music travels across continents. When asked how she maintains her distinctive sound while engaging with diverse musical cultures, she reflects: “The more we affirm our identity, the more universal we become. As we travel, we must carry the voice of Paraguay, a voice that springs from what is essential in us.”
Her pride in her homeland resonates as strongly as her guitar. “There is no place in the world where a Paraguayan has not come to embrace us after a concert. Sometimes they wave the red, white, and blue flag, and it is beautiful to see how people react with surprise. It breaks the myth that classical guitar cannot carry our flag.”
Whether in Asunción or New York, Rojas turns the stage into a space of cultural recognition, carrying Paraguay’s sound across borders.
“Nothing meant to last is built in a hurry.”
For all her international acclaim, Rojas remains grounded in the discipline of her craft. When asked what she would tell her younger self, she responds simply: “Patience. Nothing meant to last is built in a hurry. The things that endure, in music or in life, take time. Life is like climbing a mountain. There is not just one path; there are thousands. You must find your own, knowing that happiness waits at the summit.”
This philosophy extends to her role at Berklee College of Music, where she mentors young guitarists from around the world. “Every path is unique. Our job as artists is long hours of practice, reading, and listening. When inspiration visits, it must find you working.” During the pandemic, she began organising virtual masterclasses for young Paraguayan musicians with top guitarists from Austria, Germany, and the United States. “Today, there is not a single young Paraguayan guitarist who is not learning from the best musicians in the world,” she says proudly.
Her advice to aspiring artists is disarmingly simple: be honest, work hard, and surround yourself with good people. “Authenticity is what gives art its soul. Artists must dive deep into themselves to create something that reflects who they are. The more genuine our work, the more it resembles ourselves.”
A journey of connection
When asked what she hopes audiences will feel, Rojas smiles, as if turning the question back to the listener.“We have given it all our love and passion. But once the music leaves us, it belongs to the wind, to the hearts and ears that receive it.” After decades of accolades, tours, and collaborations, Berta Rojas still approaches music as an act of love, a bridge between people, places, and time itself.
“At the top of the mountain waits happiness. That is where we are heading, in art and in life.”
Her documentary on The Journey of Strings is available on Youtube, the vinyl is available on retail stores, and you can listen to Berta Rojas’s last album on streaming platforms, too.
