Luisa Paraguassu

Luisa Paraguassu standing behind microphone

2024 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge winner Luisa Paraguassu. Photo by Rebecca J. Michelson

Luisa Paraguassu is a senior at Davidson Day School in Davidson, North Carolina. She loves songwriting, playing guitar, language learning, spending time with family and friends, and reading. Luisa also loves to participate in her school theater and her favorite role has been Cady Herron in Mean Girls The Musical. She plans to attend University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in the upcoming fall.

Luisa Paraguassu providing feedback during rehearsals of her original song, "Talk Pretty."

Luisa Paraguassu providing feedback during rehearsals of her original song, "Talk Pretty." Photo by Rebecca J. Michelson

“Talk Pretty”

Music & Lyrics by Luisa Paraguassu

Program Mentor: Timothy Huang
Orchestrator: Jesse J. Sanchez
Featuring Shereen Pimentel & Stephanie Machado

 

This song is about the experience of never learning your maternal language and the pain that can accompany such a feeling of disconnect with members of your family, the shame some people feel (but really shouldn't have to), and how the longing for connection goes beyond language.