Bio

My life is a story of many languages and cultures, of searching for common ground, of learning new things.  I found this through music.  My family moved to the UK when I was two years old. That's when I discovered music as my calling. I was inspired and encouraged by the musicians of the South African community there, including Eugene Skeef and members of the group District Six. I enjoy playing several instruments, and my interest in literature has been a driving force in my pursuit as a songwriter. As a child, I studied piano on and off for a few years and then I fell in love with the guitar and percussion. I spent much of my childhood between Europe and Lima, Peru, where I was born, and I believe all that traveling deeply influenced my outlook on life and music. As a teenager in the USA I toured with the band Al Andalus, an ensemble of musicians from many parts of the world which celebrated the music of Andalusian Spain. After attending Berklee College of music on a scholarship and graduating with honors I moved to Portland, Oregon to join the band Pink Martini.  2013-Independent Music Award for Best Song - Story Song 2013-Independent Music Award for Best Song - Children’s Music 2013-Independent Music Award for Best Song - Vox Pop Award 2014- Independent Music Award for Best Song - World Beat 2014-Independent Music Award for Best Song - Love Song 2019-Independent Music Award for Best Song - Acoustic Song 2019-Independent Music Award for Best Song - Reggae/Ska/Dancehall