WMN Sessions Bogota: Much More Than a Song Camp
- May 29
- 4 min read
There are moments when everything clicks into place. WMN Sessions Bogotá was one of them.
After months of planning, meetings, international calls, partner coordination, and countless hours of behind-the-scenes work, we finally arrived in Bogotá to celebrate the first Latin American edition of WMN Sessions. And although I had spent a long time imagining what it would be like, the reality exceeded every expectation.
For three days, Gaira Música Local opened its doors to welcome 15 songwriters, producers, and artists who came from different places with one thing in common: a desire to create, collaborate, and be part of something bigger than themselves.
In an industry that often pushes us to compete, WMN Sessions Bogotá was the exact opposite. For three days, we watched artists share resources, exchange knowledge, support one another with productions, lyrics, harmonies, and arrangements. No one was trying to prove they were the most talented person in the room. Everyone was trying to build something together. And that completely changes the creative dynamic.
The magic of watching songs come to life
One of my favorite memories is walking through the hallways of La Torre de Lata (Gaira’s recording studios) and hearing something different happening behind every door.
In one room, someone was building a rhythmic foundation from scratch. In another, a songwriter was finding the perfect chorus after hours of searching. Further down the hall, several producers were discussing sounds, references, and textures while an artist recorded vocals.It was impossible not to feel inspired.
During the camp, 14 original songs were developed for Maía’s upcoming musical projects. But the most impressive thing wasn’t the number of songs that were created. It was how they were created.
Maía didn't show up just for the photo
And I believe that made all the difference.From day one, Maía was deeply involved in the creative process. She walked into the studios, listened to songs, shared ideas, worked directly with participants, and fully immersed herself in the experience. She didn't arrive as a distant featured artist. She arrived as a collaborator.
Watching an artist with her level of experience and success share her vision and knowledge so generously was inspiring for everyone involved. That closeness helped create an environment where participants felt free to take risks, experiment, and step outside their comfort zones.
Much more than music - We Make Noise Sessions Bogota
There’s a phrase we often repeat at We Make Noise: The talent already exists. What’s missing are the opportunities. WMN Sessions Bogota was a very real demonstration of that idea.
During the sessions, the conversations weren't only about songs. I heard discussions that will likely lead to collaborations for years to come. I watched friendships form, confidence grow, and artists discover abilities they didn't even know they had. In fact, one of the most exciting findings from our post-event surveys was that 100% of participants reported expanding their professional network and increasing their confidence in music and technology. But honestly, we didn't need the data to know that. You could feel it in the room.
A perfect ending to an unforgettable week
The experience concluded with a special edition of Living Room Sessions at W Bogotá, where several participants shared their work live in front of an audience.
Watching these artists take the stage after days of intensive collaboration, sharing music and talking about their creative processes was the perfect way to close the experience.
Because at that moment, it became clear that WMN Sessions Bogotá had not simply been a songwriting program, it had been a platform, a meeting point, a network.
What comes next
The songs will continue their journey. Some will become part of Maía’s upcoming releases. Others will create new professional opportunities for the songwriters and producers involved. But for me, the real impact goes far beyond that.
It lives in the collaborations that will continue long after the camp, in the confidence many participants carried back to their cities, and in the certainty that we are building a music industry that is more diverse, more inclusive, and more connected. Because in the end, WMN Sessions Bogotá was much more than a song camp, it was proof of what happens when talent finds community.
Resources for building a more inclusive music industry
If you're interested in exploring how to create safer, more collaborative, and more inclusive spaces in music and technology, you can download some of the free resources developed by We Make Noise.
Download The Studio Code, our guide to building safer, more respectful, and more inclusive studio environments:
Because change in our industry doesn't only happen during events like WMN Sessions, it also happens when we transform the culture of the spaces where we create music every day.
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Written and translated by Ángela Cortés
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