Interview with Esperança Miranda, Young Angolan Artist Participating in the ResiliArt/Jazz Day Exchange in Newark

I am Esperança Mirakiza, Angolan Artist and Singer of "Gospel Afro Music" (jazz, kilapanga, soul, bossa nova etc.). I started singing in the United Methodist Church at a very young age in the choir groups, and I continue to this day. I come from a family of Christian musicians (my father is a conductor, my mother, brothers and uncles are choir singers).

I have participated in several national competitions such as "Festival da canção" in 2010 "Angola Encanta" in 2011 and the first edition of "The voice Angola" where I reached the final of the competition in South Africa. I have worked with great musicians of the Angolan scene and have participated in the editions of international Jazz concerts produced in Benguela (since 2018) and in Luanda in the first edition last April 30, 2021 organized by the American Schools of Angola and UNESCO Biennale of Luanda within the project ResiliArt Angola.

I was the youngest singer at the CPLP/Angola gala (2021) where I had the opportunity to share the stage with Matias Damásio, Yola Semedo, Manecas Costa (Guinea), Erika Nelumba, Kyaku Kiadaff, Lura (Cape Verde), Tonecas Prazeres, Stewart Sukuma (Mozambique), Filipe Mukenga, Mário Gomes and others. I have made available on digital platforms, my Promotional EP titled "Unikina". I am looking for sponsorship or support, and I intend to keep recording the CD that I started in Mozambique, entitled "Victória", which will be a tribute to my parents that unfortunately are no longer with us.

Music plays a fundamental part for peace and dialogue because it has the ability to carry the message of reconciliation between people. Music itself transforms mentalities, educates society. The artist acts like a messenger, an educator.

I joined the Resiliart Angola project because it empowers artists especially those that experienced the most difficulty during the pandemic phase, and it has given me a voice, it has given me the opportunity to show my talent.

For me it was a great honor to participate in the jazz concert in 2021. I was among experienced singers and got the chance to learn a lot from them, and it was a pleasure to give my contribution to the culture of Peace.

Having the exchange with artists in Newark will help me gain more artistic knowledge and expand my work. I hope to leave my mark, to impact lives through music.

I am looking forward to showing our dialect, and our dances. If I could show our gastronomy, it would be a pleasure (laughs).

My advice is to continue with resilience, work, create, always innovate regardless of the obstacles, because the reward always comes in God's timing.