Lays Rodríguez Pérez is one of those vocalist who quickly catches the audience with her interpretations. A pleasant voice, together with a mastery of technique and a certain charisma on stage, make up the perfect dose to make her valuable.
She says that at the age of 4, she sang for the first time and, with the support of her parents (Yaquelín Pérez Bodaño and Osver Rodríguez Portal), both art instructors, she would sprout the passion that has marked her life. Especially her father, who specialized in music, helped her in her rehearsals. The house of culture Anita Cruz, in Bartle, where her parents worked, and the musical vein of a grandfather would complement the route. Thus, little by little, her childish face became visible in the occasional show.
Today Lays has accumulated 27 years of artistic life and in the assembly of balance of the commercializing company of the music and the shows Barbarito Diez, corresponding to 2024, she turned out to be the most integral artist of her type of the province and also the most commercialized.
Now she looks at these recognitions and her mind travels through paths of the past. She knows there is still a long way to go, but she is on the right track. In the smiles of her parents and the public that follows her, she navigates her hope.
“At the age of 17, I started in the professional world. The Surik marked the first years. I was in that group for four calendars and, in 2011, I auditioned as a soloist, in a national evaluation," she says.
Although for health reasons she could not finish his studies at the then-called El Cucalambé Vocational Art School, in Las Tunas, after finishing the pre-university, she took courses at the Provincial Center for the Improvement of Culture, related to Choral Direction and Vocal Technique.
She confesses that she does not like any particular genre. “As long as the theme is to my liking, I make it mine until the end, although I certainly love Cuban music."
Her life partner, Aníbal Puig, also shares this passion for the manifestation and, as a result of their love, Rosalía, a seven-year-old girl, was born. The group Aníbal y su tumbao has seen them grow, a local group that makes many tuneros and foreigners dance. They even recently toured five municipalities of Villa Clara, with a good reception. “My husband is a blessing in my career, he has helped me grow," says the vocalist.
Lays has maintained -for seven years- a fixed space in the Cultural Plaza of the Buena Vista neighborhood. It is the Confidencias gathering. This initiative, together with her work as an art instructor at the Anita Cruz Cultural Center, occupies a special place in her work. This last task takes place where she first opened her wings as an artist when she was just a child.
“I work a lot. We are hired by different companies and institutions. Soon we will be in Camagüey as part of the group. In that sense I am satisfied,” she argues.
However, the road was not always easy. For that reason, she is grateful to all those who have ever lent her a hand. “I used to have to travel all the time to the capital city to do my work. Thanks to the help of special people in whose homes I sometimes stayed, otherwise, I had to travel at dawn to Bartle”. And she lists names like Delia Cedeño, Amparo Almaguer, Elsi..."
“One of the most beautiful moments I have lived was when I performed my first concert alone, unforgettable. I never imagined that so many people were following my work. When I'm on stage, I just try to transmit to the audience what I feel,” she says.
Lays has also shared her art in countries such as Venezuela and has even performed at international events. Likewise, national events have counted on his presence. But wherever she goes, a conviction accompanies her: “You have to feel Cuban, love our music, live experiences, appreciate the roots, study our history... I am proud to defend the Cuban sentiment."
Thus, aware of her role in society and without losing the simplicity that characterizes her, she advises: “Anyone who has a dream, pursue it; be receptive and humble at the same time. In my case, I am happy with what I have achieved. I don't want to stop making people happy with my songs. I know I have a long way to go, but I will always try to touch hearts,” he concluded.
