Hi, I’m Cynthia. I work in the music industry, mainly across live production, artist development and curation. Over the years, I’ve worked with touring artists, festivals and independent projects, while also developing my own through Mises en Lumière. Creativity has always been another way for me to connect with music, which I explore through photography and videography, particularly by documenting artists, live music and the moments that happen behind the scenes.

Music had always been around me growing up. My grandparents introduced me to the music of their generations, while my Spanish grandfather was rarely seen without his guitar, playing for hours whenever he visited us in Switzerland. My older sister later introduced me to US rap and the world of MTV music videos. Looking back, growing up around such different sounds probably shaped my curiosity for music and the many ways it can be experienced and become part of our lives.

Then, at twelve, I discovered One Direction. For the first time, I felt like I had found music that was truly mine. Their music became a refuge, a source of excitement and a world I felt I belonged to. Being a fan opened the door to a whole new community, turning online conversations with people from around the world into real friendships, some of which have stayed with me over the years. I became a fan long before I ever imagined working in music. And I still am.

The more invested I became as a fan, the more curious I grew about what existed beyond the music itself. Following such a hugely successful band made me want to understand more about how their career worked and introduced me, little by little, to a side of music I had never known existed.

Years later, that curiosity would eventually lead me to the music industry myself. I studied Music Business and gradually found my way towards the areas I feel most connected to today: live production, artist development and curation.

My experience has since taken me from working in production with internationally touring artists at Two Gentlemen to festival production at Montreux Jazz Festival and Festi’neuch. Along the way, I’ve worked closely with artists, agencies, promoters, technical teams and all the different people it takes to bring live shows to life.

Supporting women in music has been close to my heart for several years and is part of what led me to found Mises en Lumière, a non-profit dedicated to supporting emerging artists and promoting the Swiss R&B scene.

Giving more space and visibility to women is central to MEL, both through predominantly female line-ups and by mainly working with female artists through our artist development work. We also want to create an environment where people feel safe and respected.

Through MEL, I’ve been able to develop projects from the ground up, working across artistic direction, programming and event production, as well as booking, artist development and management.

What drives me is working alongside passionate people and bringing meaningful projects to life. Music has shaped some of the most meaningful relationships in my life, both personally and professionally. For me, live music makes that connection especially tangible: the work that happens behind the scenes suddenly becomes something you can see, feel and share with an audience. The collective energy and atmosphere make each show a unique experience.

This is also what I love about touring: sharing those moments night after night while travelling, discovering new places and cultures, and meeting people along the way. Some might see this lifestyle as an escape from reality, but for me, it’s the opposite. Learning from others and connecting through music — nothing feels more authentic.