What drew you to the world of singing from an early age?
Music has been a part of my life since I was very young. Born in the city of Angra do Heroísmo, I soon made music an essential part of my days, and at the age of 5, I was already playing in the São Mateus da Calheta Philharmonic and singing in the choir group of the parish church there, with the responsibility of interpreting the responsorial psalms. At the age of 7, I entered the city’s Regional Conservatory to study Musical Initiation with Professor Lúcia van Manen in the recorder class, where I became convinced that music takes us to a world that is ours alone! I have always felt that music is the shortest and most skillful way to transport me, introspectively, to something, somewhere, someone or a moment, a feeling or a desire. With music, I feel pleasure, longing, nostalgia, passion, love, joy. It completes me! I have fun, I dance, I find myself, and I lose myself in myself and what I project: music. And that’s how it’s always been; my dear mother says I was born singing. So, with this feeling very much in evidence from an early age, I continued my studies in Violin with Professor Ostap Kharambura and, at the age of 14, I started Singing with Professor Ana Paula Pereira, where I completed the Complementary Music/Singing Course and, finally, attended the International Vocal Music Course at the University of Aveiro with Professor Claire Vangelisti from New Orleans. After all, what would music be without its forerunner, the magnificent musician? Singer, instrumentalist, and composer have their own tone, melody, lyrics, harmony, and idiosyncrasy. The magic of embracing the whole process of creation is to create untouchable sensations that transport to our souls’ feelings as beautiful as purity and truth and pleasant moments of liberation and healing. Why, then, has music captivated me so much? Even though I know it’s an impenetrable barrier, if possible, I’d be inside it, immersed in its notes, steps and measures, harmony, melody, and everything it means.

What was your training experience like, and what advice would you give to young Azoreans who want to follow this path?
My experience in this area of training made all the difference in my journey towards my dreams. After graduating from secondary school, I left my beloved island to study in Lisbon. Highlights of my training path include the Breathing Techniques and Body Expression Development Workshop in 2009 and the Ancient Music Master Class – John Blow’s “Venus and Adonis” Masque, in the role of Cupid, in 2013. I was awarded 1st place in the 1st category of the 4th Regional Lyric Singing Competition of the Portuguese Rotary Foundation in 2010 and 2nd place in the Musician Revelation prize two years earlier. On foreign soil, I had the opportunity to perform “Saudades da Terra” by Francisco de Lacerda at the Kulturhaus in Lüdenscheid, Germany. On Azorean soil, I performed as a soloist in Pergolesi’s “StabatMater” with the String Orchestra in the Mother Church of Praia da Virória (2008), in the concert in the Salão Nobre of the Angra do Heroísmo Town Hall with cellist André Gunko and pianist Olga Lysa (2018); in the opera “Boas festas, senhor natal,” by Antero Ávila (2022), in the Artestício show on the island of Pico, directed by Pedro Carvalho (2023); in the Musical Moment for the 46th anniversary of the Pedra-Maria Theatre Group (2023). anniversary of the Pedra-Mó theater group (2024); in the concert at the Parish Church of São Caetano, directed by Pedro Carvalho (2024); and in the 7th edition of the Angra Iberian Organ Route (2024). I also performed at the Advent of Peace concert on the island of Pico, directed by Pedro Carvalho (2024), at the Christmas concert with Gustaaf Van Manen, Carolina Meneses, and Miguel Camponez (2024), at the Altares Parish Christmas Party, and in a piece by the Altarense Philharmonic of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (2024). I often participate in Sundays with Music at the Angra Do Heroísmo Museum with organist/concordist Gustaaf Van Manen. I’d like to say a few words to young people: focus, persistence, and study. The path may not be easy or as expected, but the word “give up” should not be part of the dictionary. Many stones will be along the way, but focusing on the dream must guide our daily actions. Even if you’re told you won’t make it, you know your future, so persevere. Training is essential to acquire new knowledge, improve techniques, positioning, and timing, and become better professionals. That’s also why focus is fundamental so that we have the discernment to follow and organize our thoughts and have a clear vision of our objectives.

What are your fondest memories of your performances outside the region?
My fondest memories are the performances in Lüdenscheid, a German city with more than 75,000 inhabitants, and Cologne, with more than 1 million inhabitants. I was received with great kindness, I spent 10 days on German soil, in the beautiful city of Lüdenscheid, and I was fortunate enough to sing in the cultural center, with a fantastic atmosphere, a completely full room, in a performance of “Saudades da Terra,” by Francisco Lacerda. It was a unique opportunity to be in front of a different, demanding audience, and to get out of my comfort zone, in another country, in a different environment, and everything went very well, it was a great joy. This trip was only possible because of the teacher Regina Meneses and the Tomás de Borba Primary and Secondary School, who allowed me to be part of an exchange program with German students.

Are there “enough stages” here, and how are we doing in terms of training audiences?
I think the region is full of good stages. I’ve had the opportunity to sing on several islands in our archipelago. There’s quantity, there’s quality, and the audiences are fantastic and very interested in classical music. Rarely are the concert halls or other venues where we perform aren’t full, and that’s a sign of interest in music in general and its classical aspect in particular.

What initiatives have you been involved in with the Angra Museum, and what does the near future hold?
Since I was young, I’ve actively participated in events at the Angra Museum, from concerts, such as the Christmas Concert, where I performed with Gustaaf van Manen and the guest musicians, Carolina Meneses (flute), Miguel Camponez (classical guitar), in 2024, The themes of the concert were Traditional (Greensleeves), Suite III in C Major (Johann Sebastian Bach), Tu ScendiDalleStelle (Italian Christmas) and Bolleros Par Madame SophieGail (Pascal Taskin), as well as training for young people about the composer Bach and the Historical Organ. I hope the future of my relationship with the Museum is bright.

In Diário Insular-José Lourenço, director

We thank the Luso-American Education Foundation for their support.