Claudio Escutia is a Mexican-born, Aotearoa New Zealand citizen, Wellington-based musician, sound artist, sound recordist, composer, and cultural facilitator. His artistic practice is a unique convergence of generations of musicians in his family, rigorous classical training, extensive global sonic exploration, and a deep commitment to community engagement.
The foundation of Claudio’s work is a lifelong study of sound in all its forms. His journey began with a classical guitar education in Mexico City obtaining a degree in classical guitar by the School of Fine Arts, instilling a discipline for structure and harmonic depth. This formal training was later expanded into a profound exploration of World Music, with dedicated periods of study in the musical epicentres of Europe, India and Nepal. There, he immersed himself in the spiritual and melodic traditions of these cultures, becoming a certified Sound Healing Practitioner and integrating therapeutic soundscapes, meditation, and mindfulness into his artistic vocabulary.
This unique background—bridging the precision of Western classical forms with the contemplative, improvisational spirit of Eastern traditions—informs every aspect of his work. For years, Claudio has honed his craft through live performance, field recording, and production, developing a multidisciplinary practice that spans experimental composition, film and TV sound, and participatory workshops. He is driven by a belief in sound’s power to forge deep connections—between people, to environment, and to ancestral heritage.
The project “Ancestral Sounds: Reviving Pre-Hispanic Mexican Music in Aotearoa” represents a full-circle moment in Claudio’s artistic journey. It is a conscious return to his own roots, honouring and proudly embracing his heritage that survived colonization by applying his global expertise to revive the ancient sonic landscapes of pre-Columbian Mexico. By meticulously explore and experiment sonic possibilities and composition, he seeks to make this ancestral wisdom accessible and resonant for modern audiences here in Aotearoa and the world.
This project is not merely a musical endeavour; it is the culmination of his experiences as a performer, a student of world cultures, and a community facilitator. It is an act of cultural reclamation, a bridge connecting indigenous traditions across oceans, and an invitation for all to listen deeply to the echoes of history.
Claudio has several music albums including Electronic Fusion, Sound Healing, Tibetan Bowls and Meditation music.
