In this interview, we talk with Isabella Velasquez, an inspiring talented young singer who fell in love with music at a young age. From singing along to Disney princess movies to dreaming of performing on big stages, Isabella shares her journey, aspirations, and passion for music in this interview. Additionally, Isabella recently showcased her talent as one of the semi-finalists on the TV show La Voz Kids Colombia, adding to her remarkable musical journey.
How did you find out about Make Music Day?
I’d seen it on social media, on Instagram. Also, some friends had recommended it to me. It looked really cool and fun, so I decided to try it out.
How was your experience at Make Music Day?
I think I’ve participated three times in the last few years. The experience was really fun, I had a really good time. I remember the first time was an open yard concert in a venue near the Brickell train station, the second time was at a venue in Miami Beach, near the Normandy Fountain, and the third time the event was at Lincoln Road in South Beach. They were all great experiences.
How did you start making music?
It all began when I was just three years old. My dad noticed my love for singing; I’d often sing along with the characters in Disney princess movies. So, when I turned four, he enrolled me in vocal lessons. I also did some theater at that age. From there, I really took off with my voice career; I started singing more and landing gigs. I even received a scholarship from the Little Dreams Foundation. This opportunity allowed me to attend classes with other talented kids and perform at various venues and malls. When I was six, I had my first-ever performance at the Miami Beach Youth Festival.
Which particular performance made you realize, “I want to pursue this as a career”?
I was really nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. Honestly, I thought people wouldn’t be listening, or that there wouldn’t be anyone there. But, as soon as I stepped on stage, everyone was so supportive, and there were people there. I felt excited and happy; all the nervousness and jitters went away. Stepping off stage, I realized how much happier and filled with adrenaline I felt. That’s when I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life.
Do you also play instruments or do you just sing for now?
I started playing the piano when I was seven or six as well, and I started playing the acoustic guitar during the Pandemic.
And what genres do you enjoy playing? I believe you play a lot of pop music, right?
Yeah, I mainly sign pop. When I perform, I accompany myself on the piano and guitar. The choice of instrument depends on the song I’m singing. I sing a wide variety of songs, but it’s mostly pop, including American and Latin pop.
I believe you have some original music out. How was the journey of creating your own music?
I’ll tell you how it started. In 2020, I participated in the TV show “Pequeños Gigantes”. I made it to the finals as a nine-year-old, but the show canceled the final due to COVID. Since I had really engaged with music during those months of the show, when the pandemic came, I started composing music at home. I also did live streams. My dad helped me during the process of composing and creating lyrics and melodies. During that time, I got the idea of creating a song that had a happy and motivating feel to it, to face this difficult time that everyone was experiencing. My dad and I wrote this song together called “Never Give Up,” which in Spanish is called “No dudes más”. We partnered with a great producer and released my first song. From there, I kept making more and more songs.
Is your plan in life to be a full-time musician? Or is there something else you’d like to study on the side?
My dream career would be to be a professional singer. That’s the big dream, that’s the goal. If that doesn’t work out, I think I’d like to be a pediatrician.
How would you describe what music means to you?
Music is something that brings me a lot of joy and happiness. It’s a source of comfort for me. Whenever I’m feeling sad, stressed, or upset, I can always rely on music because it’s something that I’ve connected with since I was young. It’s been a constant presence in my life.
What would you say your goal in music is?
I think my goal in music would be to become an internationally recognized singer like Shakira, Ariana Grande, or Whitney Houston— one of the big names. I want to perform on all the major stages I’ve dreamed of since I was little, inspiring people worldwide, and having large tours in big stadiums.