From Classical Violinist to EDM Star: A Conversation with Esther Anaya at Miami Music Week
Amidst the pulsing energy and non-stop rhythm of Miami Music Week, Creativity Squared host Helen Todd connected with Esther Anaya, a Colombian-born DJ, music producer, classically trained violinist, and singer who has masterfully bridged the worlds of classical violin and electronic dance music.
“I just want people to say, ‘Oh my god, I had the best time of my life that night that Anaya played.'”
Esther Anaya
Esther’s impressive list of accomplishments includes performing with Rihanna and Kanye West at the Staples Center, opening for Maluma’s European tour, collaborating with Lil Yachty, releasing music with Snoop Dogg, and gracing major festivals like Coca-Cola Flow, Baja Beach Fest, and Miami Music Week. She’s also the official DJ for the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium and has performed at Super Bowl 2023, Pro Bowl 2023, EDC Mexico City 2024, and Formula 1 Mexico City 2024.
With her name emblazoned on billboards across Miami and multiple performances lined up, Esther took a rare moment between sets to share her extraordinary journey, creative vision, and what drives her as an artist in today’s rapidly evolving music landscape.
A Journey of Resilience and Reinvention
Esther’s path to becoming one of electronic music’s most distinctive performers began not in nightclubs or music studios, but in Colombia, where circumstances would force a dramatic change in her young life. What she casually mentioned as “political asylum” in our conversation reveals a profound moment of upheaval that shaped her future.
“It was like someone dropping a bomb in my life… We had two weeks to pick up everything important, but not more than one luggage. So I brought my luggage and my violin.”
Esther Anaya
“Yes, it was kind of like one of the hardest times in my life because I love Colombia so much and my whole family, extended family is there,” Esther recalls. “Waking up one day and my dad coming up to me and my brothers and my mom and being like, we have to go to the United States because if we stay here, it’s going to be dangerous. And I could die.”
With just two weeks’ notice, Esther was told to pack only what was most important to her, limited to a single suitcase. Her choice was telling—her luggage and her violin would be all she’d bring to start her new life in America at age 12.
In the United States, Esther continued her classical training, honing her skills as a violinist while gradually discovering new musical possibilities. The pivotal moment came during a private party performance where she first encountered the EDM track “Sing to Me” by Thomas Gold.
“When I played that song, it was my own song. It was so easy to play. It sounded so good that people were coming up to me and they’re like, is that your song? Where can I hear your song?” Esther remembers. “I was like, no, I was just improvising today. And I realized that I had something special with that genre. I started digging more into it and learning it more. And here we are.”
This discovery marked the beginning of Esther’s remarkable transformation from classical musician to a multihyphenate artist who seamlessly blends violin performance with DJing, singing, and music production. With over 20 years of musical training and more than a decade of professional experience, she has created a distinctive fusion that has captivated audiences across four continents.
Embracing Technology: Where Music Meets Innovation
While many artists approach technological advances with caution, especially in the age of A.I., Esther embodies a spirit of enthusiastic embrace. Her recent performances feature a cutting-edge drone show that creates a violin shape in the sky while she performs her original song “The Godfather,” released just weeks before our conversation.
“The first show I did with drones… they formed a violin shape while I was playing one of my original songs. It was magical. I want to embrace anything that has to do with technology to make my show even better.“
Esther Anaya
“That is the future, and I want to embrace it,” Esther says with unmistakable excitement. “Doing a show with a drone, many, many drones, which I’m actually going to show you a video, it was magical. It was like literally the first show that I did with the Drone Live Show.”
Her eyes light up as she describes how the drones synchronized with her music, creating a visual extension of her artistic expression. “It was in sync because the music had to be in sync with everything that the drone was portraying. I believe there is a niche there. I want to embrace that and I want to embrace anything that has to do with technology and make my show even better than what it is.”
Navigating the Industry as a Woman
Behind the glamour and excitement of her rising career, Esther remains acutely aware of the challenges and vulnerabilities that come with being a woman in the entertainment industry. She speaks candidly about the importance of safety and having proper support systems in place.
“I feel like all women, we were very vulnerable at some point, and I feel we have to pay attention to our safety. It’s very important,” she explains. Esther recalls a frightening incident at a gas station where she was chased by someone, which prompted her to buy a Tesla to avoid similar situations. “From that day I was like, I’m buying a Tesla. I’m not going to the gasoline station ever.”
She credits her husband and manager, Ben, with providing security and protection at her performances and appearances. The conversation touches on Helen’s “consent is sexy” campaign, which resonates with Esther’s experiences and values regarding artist rights and personal safety.
The Vision Beyond Tomorrow
When asked about her future aspirations, Esther speaks with the assured confidence of someone who visualizes success before it materializes. Her sights are set on the world’s biggest stages, and she’s already manifesting those opportunities.
“All the biggest stages around the world there? Next year I’ll be there. [The Ultra] Main stage,” she declares. “I manifest being at EDC Tomorrow Line and Lollapalooza. There’s many, many festivals where I see myself performing and bringing a drone show and bringing dancers and bringing more instrumentalists besides me and just creating a whole experience and a whole journey for the audience.”
For Esther, success isn’t measured merely by bookings or streams, but by the lasting impact she has on those who experience her music. “Just to be memorable, I just want to be remembered by providing a really good show, having people have a great time, and just enjoying the moment that they will be like, oh my God, I had the best time of my life. The night that Anaya played.”
This holistic approach to performance—creating immersive, multi-sensory experiences that transcend traditional boundaries between genres and art forms—positions Esther at the vanguard of music’s future.
Heart and Heritage
Despite her technological innovations and global aspirations, Esther remains deeply connected to her roots and guided by her faith. When asked what one message she would like the Creativity Squared audience to remember, her response reveals the core values that anchor her amid the whirlwind of her career:
“Everything you do, do it with your heart and never forget where you come from. That’s the essence of who you are. And put God first, everything else second.”
Esther Anaya
These words encapsulate the essence of Esther Anaya—an artist whose cutting-edge performances are powered not just by technical skill and innovative technology, but by authentic connection to her heritage, her audience, and her spiritual foundation.
As Miami Music Week continues to showcase the latest trends in electronic music, Esther Anaya stands out as an artist who embodies both the future’s promise and the timeless power of staying true to one’s roots. Her journey from classical violinist to EDM innovator offers an inspiring blueprint for artists navigating rapid technological change: embrace the future without forgetting your foundations.
With her violin in hand and drones overhead, Esther Anaya isn’t just performing music—she’s crafting unforgettable experiences that resonate long after the last note fades away.
