Meet Queralt Giralt Soler

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Queralt Giralt Soler. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Queralt below.

Queralt, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is something I continue to battle with every day. I believe it’s especially common among women, so I’m glad you’re raising awareness about this issue and I hope that my personal experience can be helpful to someone.

For me, overcoming imposter syndrome involves trying to focus on honesty rather than perfection, as well as reminding myself that the music is far more important than my personal insecurities. Let me explain:

Imposter syndrome arises from the belief that we should have everything figured out, be more knowledgeable, and be absolute experts at what we do. Overcoming this, for me, is about honesty. I firmly believe in the value of being genuine. Ultimately, no one is perfect, and you were chosen for who you are right now. If you can bring honesty to the table about what you do know and acknowledge what you don’t, that’s incredibly powerful and it can be way more inspiring for others that will probably be feeling the same way.

As a musician, I also have to remember that it’s ultimately not about me, but about the music. It doesn’t matter whether I feel ready or not—I need to give my best out of respect and love for the music. I have found that when we overcome our fears and focus on our art, the music takes care of us in return.

Lastly, it’s important to remember that mental health requires us to take care of ourselves outside of our art too. In this regard, activities like running and meditation have been really helpful for me lately.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a cellist whose work is enriched by blending multiple musical influences, crafting a sound that goes beyond traditional genre boundaries.

Growing up in a small town in Catalunya, I began playing the cello at the age of 7, but my earliest musical experiences were through singing, thanks to the strong choral tradition in my community. My love for music was evident from the very beginning, and throughout my childhood, I continued singing while receiving classical training on the cello.

I clearly remember the moment when I first combined both singing and playing the cello simultaneously. This marked the beginning of my exploration of the instrument from a unique perspective and inspired me to explore new musical genres with the cello.

After earning my undergraduate degree in Classical Music Performance and Music Education from ESMUC in Barcelona, I decided to move to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music. Here, I am further developing my personal approach to the cello by exploring a wider variety of musical genres, which brings me to where I am today.

I am involved in various musical projects, primarily those influenced by jazz, but also including Latin music and other styles. In many of these projects, I combine my skills as a cellist and a vocalist, with improvisation serving as a central element. You can regularly find me performing with bands and artists such as Devon Gates, Sol y Canto, and my new modern string quartet, Vivo 4/4

In addition to performing, I am an educator, teaching private lessons and leading workshops. For example, this summer I was invited to be the strings teacher at TEMA Festival, a modern music and jazz festival in Avinyó, Spain.

Currently, I am focusing on composition as I work on a personal project that I plan to share next year. Through this project, I aim to combine all of my musical backgrounds to create honest music that not only resonates with audiences but also raises awareness of social issues, as I strongly believe in the healing power of music on both an individual and societal level.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

First of all, embarking on any journey requires bravery, and that doesn’t mean not feeling scared about your decisions, but moving forward despite that fear. I believe this step to be crucial for success as it is a strong prove of commitment with your goals, and it is definitely something I keep working on every day. However, taking risks requires building resilience too; otherwise, your brave actions might end after the first failure. And trust me, there will be more than one!

Second, and related to my experience with impostor syndrome, learning to be honest with myself has been essential. This means acknowledging and loving all aspects of who I am. Embracing honesty allows me to make courageous decisions, manage both failures and successes with a positive mindset, and ultimately approach my work with freedom—driven by my love for music and away from ego.

Finally, it’s crucial to nurture your social environment. Being present for your people, supporting them, and listening to their journeys can be incredibly rewarding. Whether it’s family, friends, or fellow musicians, everyone appreciates being around those who make them feel seen and heard. You might find mutual support in return, which is invaluable.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

I would love to recommend a book that I’m currently reading, which was suggested to me by psychologist and musician coach Gisela Pi.

The book is The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. In it, Rubin explores various aspects of art, such as creativity, fear, or breaking the rules. It’s an excellent read for reflecting on our work, understanding why we do it, and considering how we want to approach it. Personally, I’m taking my time with it, savoring each chapter and allowing myself to fully digest and be inspired by each idea.

“The object isn’t to make art, it’s to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable”, Robert Henri quoted on The Creative act, a way of being.

If you decide to read it, please feel free to reach out! I’d love to share thoughts and discuss it with fellow artists.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @queraltgiralt
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@queraltgiralt

Image Credits

Marina Conill @marinaconillfotografia
Hannah Osofsky, @hannahosof
Kelly Davidson, @kdstudio
Dave Green, @davegreenphoto
Antonio Pérez-Coca, @astrofonda