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Women in Pro Audio: Rayfa Reyes Women in Pro Audio: Rayfa Reyes...

It’s no secret that live sound engineering has long been a male-dominated field. But behind the soundboards of massive stadium tours, a shift is underway, driven by audio crews and operators who let their work speak volumes. Enter Rayfa Reyes: a powerhouse audio engineer who currently runs monitors for Grupo Frontera and handles Front of House for Oscar Maydonn, Lasso, and Paty Cantú. Based in Mexico City, Rayfa’s path from an awe-struck eleven-year-old at her first concert to an elite stadium operator proves just how far relentless curiosity and grit can take you.

Finding the Spark and the Struggle

“Ever since I was very young, I knew I wanted my life to be surrounded by music,” Rayfa shares. “When I was 11, I had the opportunity to go to my first concert. I remember looking around and taking in everything that was happening on stage, and I was fascinated. I didn’t know what area I wanted to be involved in yet, but I knew I wanted to be part of it.”

After that defining day, she committed to learning everything she could about the music industry and eventually decided to study audio engineering and music production. Though initially focused on music production, an internship in live sound reignited that childhood feeling, and she knew it was her exact path.

“When I decided to study audio engineering and music production, one of the first challenges I faced was convincing my parents that this could actually be a real career,” she explains. “They have always believed in me and supported my decisions, but at the time, they were understandably worried because they didn’t really know the industry or realize that this could be a serious and sustainable career path. So, from the very beginning, part of my journey was showing them that I could build a life and a career doing what I loved.”

Armed with a degree and an appetite for learning, Rayfa threw herself into the live sound world, saying yes to practically any opportunity that came her way.

“At first, there wasn’t really any pay, but for me, the payment was the opportunity to learn. I was gaining experience, meeting people, and getting closer to the career I wanted,” she notes. She worked as a stage manager, production coordinator, patch master, and in several other roles, all while pursuing a Master’s degree in Audio Design for Film and Television, working with independent bands, and spending time at a studio.

“All of these experiences allowed me to keep learning, gain valuable experience, and support myself financially while continuing to work toward my goal of becoming a live audio operator.”

Her major turning point came when she secured a position at La Voz México, where she worked for a little over two years throughout the pandemic. “I learned so much as an operator, developed my skills, and that experience opened the door to many of the opportunities that came afterward, including my first artists,” she reflects.

“When I think about the challenges I’ve faced, I think one of the biggest has been staying consistent and continuing to push myself to learn and improve. There are exhausting days, days when I’m sick, and many moments when I have to step outside my comfort zone and keep learning. But I never really see those things as a reason to stop. They are simply part of the process of building the career I’ve always dreamed of and continue to work toward.”

Women in Pro Audio: Navigating the Industry

When asked about the unique hurdles she faces, Rayfa is pragmatic. “I think one of the challenges has been that, as a woman in an engineering role, sometimes you have to take a little more time to show people your experience and what you’re capable of,” she says. “There are still moments when people may not immediately expect a woman to be the engineer in charge, but I think that is changing as more women become part of the industry. Fortunately, that perception is changing. Throughout my career, I’ve met incredible teams that have supported and respected my work, and I believe the industry is moving in the right direction. The more women people see in audio positions, the more normal it becomes. For me, the goal has never been to be treated differently. I simply want to be recognized for my preparation, my decisions, and the quality of my work.”

Reflecting on the gender gap across pro audio, Rayfa sees it not as an immovable barrier, but as a historical delay that’s rapidly catching up.

“There are fewer women in this industry because, historically, there were very few of us here. But little by little, more women are coming into the industry. There are so many more women working in pro audio now than there were ten years ago, for example,” she observes.

“I think it’s a gradual process. Simply seeing other women doing these jobs and showing that it is possible makes a big difference. Even though this is still a male-dominated industry, there is definitely space for women here. The more we see that representation, the easier it becomes for other women to enter the industry with more confidence.”

Preparation, Passion, and Unforgettable Productions

When faced with high-stakes environments or self-doubt, Rayfa’s secret weapon is meticulous, relentless preparation. “I overcome challenges by studying and preparing as much as I can. I’m a perfectionist, and I don’t feel completely at ease until I know I’m fully prepared. I have a lot of confidence in myself and in my work, but I believe that confidence comes from preparing every day and constantly learning. So far, I’ve never really thought about giving up. I have been afraid of failing, of course, but I don’t let that feeling take over. Instead, I use it as motivation to keep moving forward and push myself to do better.”

This mindset extends to her career growth resources. “From the moment I decided to pursue this career, I committed to it completely,” she explains. “Whenever I have the opportunity, I take courses and certifications, and attend events where I can keep learning from other professionals and my colleagues. I never allow myself to stop learning. Staying curious and constantly improving my skills has helped me be prepared to take advantage of new opportunities for growth whenever they come my way.”

Her hard work has culminated in some massive, career-defining productions. “Throughout my career, I’ve had many shows that have been very meaningful to me. Every time I join a new production or face a new challenge, I feel like I’m creating a new milestone in my career. Each experience has shaped me and helped me grow,” she shares.

“Just to mention one, the Grupo Frontera show at Arena Ciudad de México was such a big production. It was in the city where I was born, with my family in the audience! It was one of those moments when I took a minute to look around and realize how far I had come, and how all the hard work was finally reflecting in what I was doing.”

Another standout moment was mixing at RODEOHOUSTON with Grupo Frontera—a massive, high-pressure show on a 360-degree stage in front of over 70,000 screaming fans. “One of the biggest challenges was creating a sense of connection between the artist and such a massive audience,” she explains. “With the size of the venue and the distance between the stage and the audience, it was important to make sure the artist could still feel connected to the crowd and that the energy of the audience could be part of the performance. Finding the right balance and making the stage feel intimate despite the scale of the event was a really exciting challenge for me. Being part of the development and execution of such a massive production, and seeing everything come together on the day of the show, was truly an honor.”

A Full Circle Moment

In a career filled with massive crowds, sometimes the most profound moments are deeply personal. Rayfa recalls a particularly serendipitous anecdote involving four recent Shakira shows in Mexico City. “Shakira has always been my favorite artist. She was actually the first artist I ever saw live, and watching her perform was one of the things that inspired me to want to work in this industry. So when I found out that Grupo Frontera was going to be part of those shows, I was incredibly excited. I had actually bought a ticket to see her before I even knew I was going to end up working at those concerts. Being there as part of the production was honestly a dream come true.”

That full-circle moment ran far deeper than a standard career milestone. “What makes it even more meaningful is that, about seven years ago, one of my first jobs was at an office, and I was unexpectedly let go,” she recalls. “I remember leaving that day with only 300 pesos in my pocket, which was around $15 at the time. Shakira was performing at the Estadio Azteca that same day, and I already had a ticket, so I went to the concert. I remember feeling completely defeated, and with the little money I had left, I bought a jacket. Years later, I found myself working at those same Shakira concerts with Grupo Frontera, wearing that same jacket. Shakira even signed it for me, and I still have it stored away as a very special memory. For me, that jacket became a reminder that with hard work, dedication, and taking one step toward your dreams every day, things really can happen.”

Looking to the Future

Despite the challenges, the rewards of the job keep Rayfa hooked. “What I love most is that I get to be surrounded by music,” she says. “I love the adrenaline of every show, having a different challenge and a new adventure every day, traveling and getting to see the world, and meeting people who eventually become like a second family. One of my favorite moments of every show is when the lights go down, and the show is about to begin. Hearing the crowd scream and feeling that level of focus and concentration is incredible. That moment right before everything starts is something I never get tired of.”

Looking ahead, she remains optimistic about the field’s evolution. “I think the future of live events is really exciting. I hope we continue to adopt new technologies and innovations that allow us to create better experiences for both artists and audiences,” she notes. “At the same time, I hope we never lose the human connection that makes live events so special. For me, the future is all about finding the right balance between technology and that core human connection.”

She also hopes to see structural improvements within the industry itself. “I think it would be great to standardize working conditions across the live music industry,” she explains. “In many places, things like clear contracts, payment terms, working hours, proper rest, per diems, and safety are already a normal part of a production, but that is not the case everywhere. We spend a lot of time away from home, traveling and working long hours, so having proper rest, good food, and a healthy working environment makes a real difference. Taking care of the crew benefits the people working on the show and elevates the quality of the work and the overall event experience.”

Her ultimate advice to others eyeing a career in live sound boils down to adaptability and passion. “In this industry, things rarely go exactly as planned, so being able to adapt quickly and stay calm when things change is really important,” she advises. “I also think passion is essential. This is not an easy industry, and it can be demanding in many ways. If you don’t truly love what you do, the long hours, the travel, and the pressure can become very difficult. When you’re passionate about it, though, those challenges become part of what makes the job so rewarding.”

To women specifically, she offers an empowering directive. “If you’re truly passionate about this industry, go for it. I think the best way to show that gender doesn’t define what you’re capable of is simply by doing the work, preparing yourself, and being good at what you do. When you really love what you do, you find the motivation to keep learning and getting better. So my advice would be to keep preparing yourself every day. Opportunities will come; you just have to be ready when they do.”

Those wishing to connect with Rayfa can reach her on Instagram at @Rayfamusic or on Facebook as Rayfa Reyes, where she is always happy to offer guidance to the next generation of engineers.