The College of Charleston will host a one-night-only performance by world-renowned artist Fabiola Méndez and her quartet. A singer, composer, poet and documentary producer, Méndez made history as the first-ever graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music to choose the Puerto Rican cuatro as a primary instrument. The cuatro is a traditional 10-stringed instrument, a relative of the guitar known for its bright, percussive resonance and its role as the "voice" of Puerto Rican countryside music.

While deeply rooted in the traditional sounds of trova and jíbaro music, Méndez has gained international acclaim for her ability to "play circles" around genre boundaries. Her quartet’s recent NPR Tiny Desk Concert showcased her sophisticated blend of folk and jazz, but it was her appearance backing up global icon Bad Bunny on his own Tiny Desk set that solidified her status as a bridge between ancestral tradition and modern global pop. During the concert, Bad Bunny acknowledges Méndez's talent: "¡Puedo estar tó el día escuchando eso!" ("I could listen to that all day long!")

The concert will feature repertoire from her acclaimed quartet, showcasing the technical rigor and emotional depth that has made her a sought-after collaborator for the likes of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The concert is presented by the College of Charleston Department of Music, Department of Hispanic Studies, and Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program.

The event is presented with support from the Quattlebaum Artist-in-Residence Endowment. With its origin dating back to 1985, the College’s Quattlebaum Artists-in-Residence Endowment has helped connect students and the community to renowned artists, such as visual artist Christo, pianist Leon Fleisher, photographer Duane Michaels, former NEA chairman and actor Jane Alexander and visual artist Htein Lin, among many others. 

ABOUT THE ARTIST:  Fabiola Méndez is a Puerto Rican cuatrista, singer, educator and Emmy-nominated composer whose work explores her culture, ancestry and identity. Born in Caguas, she began playing the cuatro at age 6 and later became the first Berklee College of Music graduate to use it as her principal instrument. Her mission centers on sharing the cuatro, Puerto Rican folk music and collective storytelling. Méndez has released four albums, with Flora Campesina named one of NPR Alt. Latino's Top 10 albums of 2024. She has collaborated with major artists and institutions, including Bad Bunny, NPR Tiny Desk, the MET Museum and the Chicago Philharmonic, as well as productions on Disney+, PBS Kids and HBO Max.

***A public Q&A with the musicians will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 3, in the Simons Center for the Arts, room 357.