Daily Inspiration: Meet Michelle Camargo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Camargo.

Hi Michelle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story with music began in Bogotá, Colombia, when I was about 11 or 12 years old. I started on clarinet, then added saxophone, and I quickly became obsessed. I spent every break and all my free time practicing in the school music room. I even arrived at 6:20 a.m. to practice every weekday before class; after school I often stayed late, and of course I practiced on weekends.

My music teacher, a clarinetist himself, saw potential in me and began giving me private lessons. By 14, I knew music was my calling and that I wanted to pursue a career in it. After I decided to go to university, an opportunity came almost immediately: after just one semester, I was invited to tour internationally. At 17, I had my first tour in Canada with a ska and reggae band as a saxophonist, and that’s when I discovered my second great passion—traveling and learning about new cultures.

Since then, I’ve toured across Europe, Asia, and North America, from the United Arab Emirates to Germany, Belgium, Mexico, and Peru. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that music truly is a universal language. Even when people didn’t understand my Spanish, I could communicate with them through my clarinet.

While earning my music degree, I performed with a wide range of groups, from classical ensembles to Brazilian and broader Latin American projects. My focus on Colombian music eventually became a core part of my artistic identity.

Four years ago, I came to the United States to attend Ohio University, where I earned a double master’s degree in woodwind performance and arts administration. I’ve since moved to Cincinnati and fallen in love with a city that offers so many opportunities in the arts.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
To succeed as a musician, you have to accept that the path will be long and challenging. It requires a mix of intense self-discipline and the ability to be your own manager. For me, the most difficult part was learning to truly believe in myself. But it was incredibly rewarding to see my life transformed through music.

Growing up in a working-class neighborhood in Bogotá, Colombia, I never imagined I would live in another country, at least not so early in my life. Being a woman instrumentalist in a male-dominated field also required me to constantly prove my skills. I was obsessed with becoming an example of quality and hard work, and I had to show that I could play with the same level of quality as my male peers.

While the journey was hard and had many failures, I had a wonderful family who supported me every step of the way.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a musician and multi-woodwind interpreter—a rare skill that has become my unique brand. I can play a cumbia on the clarinet, a pop song on the saxophone, or even a classical tune on the flute. This versatility comes from my desire to be a part of any musical space I choose and my love for adapting to different genres.

Living outside my home country for years has only deepened my admiration for the rhythms of Colombia and Latin America. I enjoy being an ambassador for these sounds while also being an interpreter of world music.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
More than a single favorite moment, I just remember the feeling of how safe and free everything was. I had so much liberty I could take the bus by myself to rehearsals and play outside with my friends until it was late. The days felt so long, and I had time for so many things.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.michellecamargo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellecamargosax/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleCamargoMusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@michelle0cl