Mexican Flutist Pablo Ortiz Franco Wins 2nd Prize at the Vietnamese International Flute Competition 2026

Congratulations on being the Second Prize Winner of the first Vietnam International Flute Festival MH Competition. How was the experience for you?

Thank you very much! It was an incredibly enriching and unforgettable experience. This was my first international flute festival outside of Mexico, so everything about it felt new and exciting. Having the opportunity to learn from artists such as Sebastian Jacot, Erin Bouriakov, Rebecca Viora and Viviana Guzman was truly inspiring. I not only learned from their performances and masterclasses, but I also enjoyed every moment of the festival. Receiving the Second Prize means a great deal to me. Knowing that my performance was appreciated by such an outstanding panel of judges fills me with joy and motivates me to continue working even harder. It was honestly a surreal experience that I will always remember.

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What made you decide to fly to Vietnam to compete in this competition?

There were three reasons that inspired me to travel to Vietnam. First, I wanted to share my music, challenge myself, and discover where I stand as an artist on an international stage. Second, I was eager to learn from and work with some of the world’s greatest flutists. Being surrounded by musicians of such a high level was an opportunity I simply couldn’t miss. Finally, I wanted to represent not only Mexico but also Latin America on the other side of the world. It was very important to me to show that our region is full of talented and passionate musicians, and it was an honor to carry a part of my country’s musical identity with me.

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What did you like best about VIFF?

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What inspires you the most in life?

Without a doubt, the person who inspires me the most is my mother. Ever since I can remember, she has been the greatest example of what it means to be a good human being. Her unconditional love, patience, strength, generosity, and compassion have shaped the person I am today. She has always believed in me, even during the moments when I struggled to believe in myself, encouraging me to dream bigger and become the best version of who I can be. Beyond everything she has done to support my musical career, what I admire most is the way she lives her life and treats others. Her humility, kindness, gratitude, and selflessness are qualities I hope to reflect in my own life someday. If I can become even a fraction of the person she is, I will consider that one of my greatest achievements, far beyond any musical recognition. I am a very lucky person to have the person I admire most in the world as my mother. Everything I do carries, in one way or another, a part of her.

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What has been your greatest professional challenge?

So far, my greatest professional challenge has been finding the financial support to attend the first Vietnam International Flute Festival. My family and I simply didn’t have the resources to afford a trip of that magnitude. For several months, I had the invitation to represent Mexico but no certainty that I would actually be able to travel. While preparing for the competition, I also spent countless hours searching for sponsorships and financial support.

Fortunately, after months of uncertainty, I received the support of the Secretaría de Cultura del Estado de Veracruz and the Government of the State of Veracruz. Thanks to them, I was able to travel to Vietnam, represent my country, and experience an event that transformed both my artistic and personal life. That experience taught me that talent and hard work are essential, but sometimes you also have to knock on doors, trust others, and never stop believing in your dreams.

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What has been your greatest personal challenge?

Without a doubt, the greatest personal challenge I have ever faced was learning that my mother has a degenerative heart condition. It completely changed the way I see life. Almost overnight, I had to continue preparing for international competitions, pursuing my university studies, searching for financial support, and at the same time take on new responsibilities at home while supporting the person who had always taken care of me.

It has not been an easy journey, but it has taught me the true value of time, family, gratitude, and resilience. It reminded me that every moment with the people we love is a gift, and that no professional achievement has meaning if we forget the people for whom we are fighting. Music has become a way of expressing gratitude, holding onto hope, and finding the strength to keep moving forward, even through life’s most difficult moments.

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Who were your music mentors and what did you learn from them?

I consider myself incredibly fortunate because, throughout my musical journey, I have been surrounded by extraordinary people who have shaped me not only as a musician, but also as a person.

Before mentioning my three main mentors, I would like to thank three people who have played an important role in my development: Professor Alicia Anzueto, my first teacher at the Faculty of Music of Universidad Veracruzana, from whom I learned so much during an important stage of my education; Sabina Jeanne Laurain, Haynes Artist and Principal Flutist of the State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra, who has generously supported me with guidance, orchestral opportunities, and international career advice; and Rodrigo Cortez, Associate Principal Flutist of the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, whose dedication and mentorship during my preparation for the Vietnam International Flute Festival were fundamental to everything I achieved there.

When I think about the mentors who have had the greatest impact on my life, the first is Professor Mónica Anell Montiel, who introduced me to the flute when I was eight years old at the Centro de Iniciación Musical Infantil (CIMI). She taught me that music should first and foremost be enjoyed and helped transform the curiosity and energy of a restless child into a genuine love for music. She was also the person who guided me to my very first solo performance, an experience that changed my life.

My second and private teacher, Irving Méndez Lira, taught me discipline, commitment, and the responsibility that comes with pursuing music professionally. More importantly, he showed me that an instrument is much more than a tool to produce beautiful sounds, it is a voice capable of telling stories, expressing emotions, and touching people’s hearts. He also taught me to admire other musicians, embrace competitions as opportunities for growth, and understand that every decision shapes both the artist and the person I am becoming.

Finally, Itzel Melgarejo completely transformed the way I understand music and teaching. She inspired me to dream of becoming both an orchestral musician and a soloist, but her greatest lesson went far beyond music itself. She taught me that the greatest musicians are often the humblest people, and that kindness, gratitude, humility, and integrity are just as important as talent. Those values have become part of who I am, and I hope to pass them on throughout my own
career.

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Can you give us 5 quirky, secret, fun (don’t think too much about this) hobbies or passions?

What three things would you offer as advice for a young flutist?