Claudia

In October 2021, with the help of a Kiva loan, I secured my first retail space to open LeClu Music and Art School, a studio dedicated to music and the arts. We now serve over 130 students and provide employment for 8 teachers. Our students, aged 3 to 60, come from diverse cultural, racial, and international backgrounds, located in the heart of South Florida’s Hispanic community.

I started by teaching a few neighbors in my garage, but after surviving a life-changing battle with COVID-19, I knew it was time to pursue my true calling. In 2023, I was honored to receive the Business Innovations Award from the Florida Women Business Center, and I’m incredibly grateful for the love and support of my community.

Listening to the needs of the parents we serve I have been able to add more instrument lessons and dance. I aspire to expand into a larger space that includes an indoor multi-sports field and a bigger room for after-school and tutoring services. This expansion will allow us to serve even more families and provide a broader range of services. For this, I humbly ask for your support.

A bit about me: I was born in Colombia and moved to the U.S. in 2004 to pursue my dreams. Before relocating, I worked as a reporter and singer, performing across South America, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Mexico. The move to the U.S. felt like a rebirth—I embraced Christianity, learned English, and adapted to American life. For several years, I worked with major Spanish-language TV networks in South Florida and had the privilege of collaborating with Emilio and Gloria Estefan on a few projects. They were a huge inspiration to me. Music remained my passion and a fulfilling part-time job throughout that period.

However, life took a new turn when I got married and became a mother to two daughters. With family health challenges, I had to step away from performing and TV production. I felt stuck and uncertain, but I knew I needed to reinvent myself. My love for music never faded, and after surviving COVID, I felt Jesus guiding me back to school. I earned a bachelor's degree in Music from FIU, graduating with a strong GPA. In 2019, I launched LeClu Music and Events LLC, and by 2021, I opened LeClu Music and Art School. Over the past three years, I have been the school director, voice coach, and music teacher. My journey has truly come full circle, and I am happier than ever.