For Spanish guitar performer Sandy Ortega, practice is performance and performance is something far greater than routine. With a growing repertoire of 43 original compositions and an upcoming collaboration with a dancer from The Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center, Ortega continues to expand his sound without stepping away from its classical roots.

In this conversation with New Hit Singles, he speaks candidly about chasing “El Toque” — the elusive Spanish touch — why modern listeners often misunderstand the sweetness of classical Spanish guitar, and why writing new material still excites him more than revisiting the past. Grounded in discipline but guided by something beyond himself, Ortega’s creative process is as instinctive as it is intentional.

Q: Do you have a specific routine before recording or performing that helps you stay focused?    

A: Not really but focus is most important before a practice that takes a while to get that focus maybe 20 minutes or so.  I consider any practice that I do everyday as performing.

Q: What’s something you stopped doing musically that actually made your sound stronger?    

A: When I compose I stopped thinking about what I should compose from one phrase to the next.  It is just that my hands are not my own they are given over to the higher power.  I just put my hands on the strings and neck and something exquisitely beautiful comes out of course!

Q: What’s the biggest misconception people have about the Spanish guitar when they hear it in a modern context?    

A: Great question requires thought…  the music fundamentally is from the Romantic Era of the 1800’s that never changed.  The music is sweet like honey from the honeycomb in a modern way.  The biggest misconception then is that yes it has flamenco influences but it is not flamenco it is classical it is not hard hard it is sweet.

Q: Have collaborations or outside feedback ever changed the direction of a piece you were sure about

A: I’ll be collaborating with a dancer who performs at The Metropolitan Opera Lincoln Center.  I play the Spanish guitar she dances.  When I practice the songs amazing but they are now coming out with a dance feel very danceable I am very surprised.

Q: Right now, what excites you more: writing new material or revisiting ideas you haven’t performed or released yet?    

A: Definitely writing new material.  I’ve developed a repertoire of 43 songs my own compositions and it is just so incredibly beautiful the experience!  

Q: After finishing a piece that feels complete, how do you mentally reset before returning to the instrument?    

A: I mentally reset by understanding that the piece is not my own it may come out totally different even though the structure is the same.  It me are given over to a higher power.

Q: Is there a difference between the music you enjoy playing and the music you feel called to create?     Fascinating question. 

A: There is no difference because what I feel called to create is from the higher power the song after all becomes so exquisitely beautiful even though I may not understand what has been created it just becomes…

Q: What’s one sound, texture, or emotion you’re currently chasing but haven’t fully captured yet?     The sound! 

A: I am chasing EL TOQUE THE SPANISH TOUCH.  This is where I need to be and I am so close I really am there but I wish to feel comfortable in it.  If you have EL TOQUE you have everything your life everything.