Esly Graciela Ovando-Quinonez, owner of Melodias Privadas con Esly. Photo by Jasmin Adriana Gonzalez, JEFAS Magazine.
By Karlha Velásquez
South Sioux City, Nebraska, has its own rising music star — and she didn’t emerge from a reality show or television contest. Her name is Esly Graciela Ovando-Quiñónez, a Guatemalan-born vocal coach, multi-instrumentalist, mother, doctoral student, and professional singer. And — as if that weren’t enough — she possesses a gift that only 4% of the world’s population share: perfect pitch.
In other words, if someone sings Bad Bunny’s “Me Porto Bonito” in the shower, she only needs to hear it once and, within seconds, she can play it on piano, violin, or guitar. Yes, even if that person sang off-key.
A gift discovered early
At just 4 years old, she played an entire church hymn on the piano from memory because the regular pianist was sick. From that day on, her grandmother — a maternal figure and accomplice to her talent — confirmed what everyone suspected: This girl has a gift from God. And she was right.
Since 2021, Ovando-Quiñónez has accumulated more occupations than a delivery app: she’s choral director for South Sioux City Community Schools, performs at events like the Midwest Chingona Fest and Cinco de Mayo in Omaha, and runs her own music academy, Melodías Privadas con Ashley. The result? More than 40 students in voice, piano, guitar, and violin lessons — and a calendar that doesn’t know the word rest.
A musical role model and inspiration for the Latino community
Beyond a busy schedule, her purpose is clear. Ovando-Quiñónez wants to be a role model for young people, especially within the Latino community, showing them that their voices, culture, and creativity have a place in music. As she says, “My goal is for each student to feel seen and supported, whether they’re preparing for auditions or simply finding confidence in themselves.”
Inspired by artists like Selena Quintanilla and Whitney Houston — women who conquered the world with their voices and charisma — Ovando-Quiñónez says she’s open to all musical genres and finds melody and positivity in all of them. She’s even drawn to music outside English and Spanish, like Japanese melodies. For her, that sonic variety is a reminder that music is infinite and has no borders.
Beyond teaching, this young woman shines as a performer. She can sing everything from opera to reggaeton. In August 2025, she performed at Omaha’s Michelada Fest, proving that the stage is her second home.
Esly Graciela Ovando-Quinonez, owner of Melodias Privadas con Esly. Photo by Jasmin Adriana Gonzalez, JEFAS Magazine.
Dreams and a legacy in the making
Though always busy, the question arises: How does she balance it all? With lots of discipline and some humor. Sundays are sacred: no classes, no cellphones, just family time. Her monthly therapy appointments are nonnegotiable. “If I’m not mentally well, I can’t do everything else,” she says. It’s a philosophy that perfectly combines her love of music and the patience of a mother with daughters involved in school sports.
With no plans to slow down, she’s finishing a doctorate in music education to train future university teachers and expand her legacy. Though already a role model in her community, her true dream is for her name to become synonymous with inspiration, especially for the Hispanic community.
Perfect pitch and confidence
Ovando-Quiñónez doesn’t just teach music; she teaches confidence, discipline, and perseverance. With each melody, she proves that perfect pitch isn’t just a myth.
From that 4-year-old who amazed her grandmother at the church piano to an adult inspiring dozens of students, Ovando-Quiñónez shows that perfect pitch isn’t just about hitting the right notes, but finding your voice — and helping others discover theirs.
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