Maria Nava Leon has a deep passion for music and is an excellent guitarist. For her, the guitar is more than simply an instrument; it’s a core component to who she is. She can express herself through playing in ways that words cannot, and it has come to characterize who she is. She would have a fit if her guitars were taken away, and she would, as she jokes, “start WW3.”
The pure joy of playing the guitar was what initially drew her to music, but there were times when frustration almost drove her to give up. And then she found Slash. He played with such ease and coolness that she had to reconsider everything. She got inspired to continue after seeing how he brought his song to life, and ever since, she has performed with a fresh sense of purpose and confidence.
Nava Leon’s connection is made greater by her love of the band Metallica. Her favorite song to play is “Battery.” Her favorite member, Kirk Hammett, has influenced her methods for playing guitar because of his intense solos and distinctive sound, which serve as a reminder that music is about more than simply technique—it’s about feeling every note.
In addition to playing solo, Nava Leon is a part of her band Midsummer, which she helped form. She still values the memories, particularly the one performance they did, even if they don’t play as much these days. She knows Midsummer was something amazing even though they don’t play frequently.
Maria’s love for her guitar continues throughout her ups and downs. She plays against everything because it’s who she is.
