Meet Amy Barbera Inspirational Singer/Songwriter in Ft Lauderdale, Florida and a Woman on a Mission
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
Well I was born and raised in a small town in Maryland called Hagerstown! I am a small town bubbly, fun loving girl at heart! I always loved to sing as a small child and during my teenage years but believe it or not I was a very shy and insecure during those years so I did not really take singing seriously and pursue it with my whole heart until I moved to Florida in my early twenties. At that time I started singing as a lead worship singer at a church called Living Word Fellowship Church and training with many amazing vocal coaches and that is when singing and writing songs became my real passion and calling in life!
I am an inspirational singer/songwriter who is passionate about my music and making a difference in the world with the songs that God has placed in my heart! I love people and I love living life to the fullest and following the dreams that God has placed in my heart! On this musicial journey It has not always been easy and there have been bumps in the road but I was determined to follow the path that God had laid before me and now in my life things are going so amazing, beyond what I could ever think or imagine! 2011 is truly the happiest year of my life!
I have the most amazing parents and friends that love and support me in my career! I am with the love of my life TC (his real name is Torrance Copeland but everyone calls him TC) and we will be getting married very soon! I have 2 precious little nephews Sebastian and Deangelo and my boyfriend’s 9 year old daugther Mia that I love with my whole heart! At this time I am so busy with my music career but TC and I hope to have a baby in the next few years!
What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place? What was the inspiration for your company/project?
I am so fullfilled and enjoy doing my music so much because the songs that God has inspired me to write and sing are impacting the world and making a difference in the lives of others! Everyday I receive special messages, comments and e-mails from people who tell me that my music has touched them and impacted their lives in a postive way! That is truly an amazing feeling! God is really the main inspiration behind my songs and why I do what I do! I have written many of my songs based out of my own life experiences or someone or something that has touched my heart so deeply that I just had to write a song to express my feelings about it!
What has been the most profound result being in the music industry?
Definetely the most profound result of being an artist is the fact that I create songs that truly come of the depths of my heart and soul and seeing the impact that my songs have on others! I love being real and unique and that is why I choose to write my own songs and go with the direction that has been placed in my heart! God has given me a gift and I am so happy inside that I am using my gift to make a difference in the world for others!
Tell us about any new projects you have coming up.
2011 has truly been the most amazing year for me! I am so excited about all the wonderful new doors and opportunites that God has opened up for me this year! Currently I am in the studio with my main producer Ben Bagby recording new songs for my 2nd album which will be titled “Paint Me A Rainbow” like my fun new dance single “Paint Me A Rainbow” that was just released in Feburary of this year! I hope and pray to have my 2nd album released by late 2011! I am also working with a local dance choreographer here in South Florida named Kim Rosano on a new “Paint Me A Rainbow” sassy dance! Kim and I are so excited because we are planning to do a hugh “Paint Me A Rainbow” sassy dance flash mob and we want everybody from all ages and all walks of life involved with our new dance! My new dance is truly going to be so much fun for everyone involved! I also have a strong desire to write an inspirational book but right now my main focus is working on my new album and my new “Paint Me A Rainbow” sassy dance! I just had a recent music photo shoot with my art director April Anselona so I will be putting up my new photos sometime in May! On top of all that I am also scheduled for more live performances and radio interviews as well, so right now I am a busy bee!
What is the biggest risk you ever took professionally and/or the biggest obstacle you have overcome?
Well as a teenager when I still lived in Maryland I suffered from the eating disorder anorexia but with the wonderful help of a great counselor, the grace of God and my family and friends I overcame anorexia and was completely healed in my late teens /early twenties! With the help of my counselor Susan I really spent one year of my life reaching deep in my soul and worked on why I had the eating disorder in the first place! Getting counseling was the best thing that I ever did! During my late teens I also suffered from vocal nodules so I had to undergo major surgery to have 5 vocal cord nodules removed! Many of the voice teachers that I have trained with over the years told me that it is a real miracle that I sing like I do after having such intense surgery on my vocal cords! I took a hugh risk by moving to South Florida on my own at the age of 21! I knew that if I stayed in Hagerstown, Maryland that my dreams would not be fullfilled so I decided to move away to Florida and I tell you it was one of the best decisions I have ever made!
From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc?
Jesus is my main inspiration and hope, my parents, my grandma, my sweetie TC and those around me who have impacted my life in a profound way!
I have had so many amazing vocal teachers over the years that have mentored me such as Gil Magno, Cheryl Long, Norma Mendoza & Katherine Farnham! We all need mentors in our life to help us grow so I am so thankful to God for the voice teachers that he placed in my life over the years! Some of my music artist role models have been Prince, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Tori Amos, Bjork and many more
What do you do to keep yourself sharp? What one thing have you done in the past year that has made a significant difference in your life/your business?
I train, train, train my voice which is so important for a singing artist! I take care of myself by eating healthy, exercising 3 to 4 times a week, and trying to get enough rest! As a singer these things are most important! My boyfriend TC got me a juicer this past Christmas and so I have been faithfully juicing since 2011 and it has really made a difference! I just discovered that juicing with raw garlic along with all my other fruits and veggies is a lifesaver and awesome for my singing voice! I also surround myself with positive, caring, uplifting people and that has really helped my life and career so much!
What one thing would you like to learn this year?
How to write a book and the steps that are needed in the book writing process! I know how to do a full music album project but writing a book is a whole new thing for me!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Wow, I see myself on top of the world, traveling and doing music tours! I see my music reaching millions of people worldwide! God is already opening the windows of heaven for me so I know in the next 5 years so many more amazing doors will be opening up for me beyond what I could ever think or imagine! The possibilites are truly endless when you have God on your side and you believe and trust him! He is ultimately the one that opens the doors!! I also see myself married to TC and with one little baby! TC and I want to travel to beautiful Italy for our honeymoon and so I see myself in Italy sometime soon as well! I also see myself giving to those less fortunate in world in bigger ways! I already give now but I see myself being so blessed that I am able to bless others more then ever before!
What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment?
I love, love, love to go thrift/vintage/consignment shopping! I am a thrift store fanatic! I love to scrapbook and I find it very relaxing! I have 27 scrapbooks of my life already made! I love to spend quality fun time with my sweetie TC, his daugther Mia,my 2 little nephews Sebastian and Deangelo and the rest of my family and friends! It is so important to cherish the simple things in life that we do with the ones we love! I love to walk outside and rollerblade on the beach boardwalk! I love to dance and act crazy! I just love being childlike and have real fun in my life!
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Remeber to Smile and Laugh and That All Things Are Possible With God!
What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you?
www.cdbaby.com/cd/amybarbera2
Official Facebook Music Fan Page
