Interview With Sonia Betterncourt
Sonia Betterncourt is a classical singer from Portugal who has just released her second single "Undeniable" and who is currently working on her debut album which is due April 2010.
I caught up with Sonia and got a fantastic insight into her aspirations and goals.
You've been singing since a very young age? How did if all start? I've been singing since a very early age, growing up within a musical family (my great-grandmother was a music teacher and my uncle Nuno Bettencourt, who is part of a band "Extreme" and at this moment is the guitarist for Rhianna) and being surrounded by classical music, that was the natural thing to do.
Around 8, I joined my church choir and since then I participated in some music festivals, having won prizes for best interpretation several times.
In my late teenage years I joined one of the most important amateur choirs in Portugal.
Coming from a musical background! How has that inspired you? It is something that is not possible to explain, though it is not my inspiration, it is simply a part of us...
of me and I simply could not live without it! You obviously come from a well educated background, especially with the aptitude in being able to sing in English, Portuguese, French, Italian, Spanish, German and Latin? How on earth did you manage to fit in learning all those languages? I am fluent in 3 (Portuguese, English and French), I started learning English very early for to all my mother's family (her included) live in the United States and as some of them did not speak Portuguese, I had to learn English to be able to communicate with them.
The same happened with French for my father's family is mostly based in France.
Spanish and Italian are very similar to my native language so I understand those perfectly.
While singing in choirs I had to learn lyrics in Latin and German so I was taught the right pronunciation and meaning but I do not know these languages, even though I can understand Latin for is the root language of Portuguese, thus there are lots of similar words in both languages.
Which is your favourite language? English When did you release your very first track? The song is called "Angel" and was released January 12th 2010.
You have just released "Undeniable" which I must say is a powerful classical ballad which is beautifully sung.
How was that song put together? The same way as "Angel," Scott MacAlister composed it and was also in charge of production and arrangements.
Does any of your music have any reflection on your life? Is there any other way? All songs I interpret become a part of me and I give my best to put into the song the experiences I lived, moments that made the difference in my life and somehow changed me.
To me, singing is like acting...
it is passing into the song, sensations and emotions through the sound of my voice.
Actors use their bodies to act, I use my voice to sing.
Your music is mainly focused on ballads and classical? Would you ever consider releasing a up beat song? I am working on that at the moment Are you planning to release a debut album? I expect to release the album I am working on with En-V music next April Have you any gigs coming up soon? No gigs yet but I am waiting for the release of a country song in the US in a compilation (R&R Music Compilation Volume I) which was done by invitation of the "Ridler brothers" who asked me to perform a romantic duet called "Once upon a time".
Do you enjoy the audience atmosphere? I love it, I feel at home.
Every artist whether signed or unsigned have had unexpected encounters on the stage.
Can you recall an unexpected encounter on stage that wasn't suppose to happen? I guess I am still expecting the unexpected.
Have you ever considered auditioning for reality programs like the X Factor? No, not really, it is not my type of show, as I think these programs are more focused in obtaining audience levels than in the development of artists but I do not judge those who make the choice to pursue a career that way...
everyone must find whatever suits their personality better.
I previously quoted you as a younger singing version of Susan Boyle who gained masses of fame through Britain's got talent? What do you think of Susan Boyle? I love her voice, powerful yet delicate.
Do you think Susan was rushed into fame to quickly? No, I do not.
When people are as talented as she is, nothing is ever too fast, if you know what I mean...
she should have been discovered a long time ago...
You obviously work extremely hard on your music which has given you a full time job as a solo classical singer.
What advice if any could you give aspiring artists who would like to pursue their dream? Work hard, never give up, always believe there is a way.
Chase your dream until it comes true, no matter what.
That is what I am still doing.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? As all other aspiring singers out there, I want my talent to be recognized worldwide.
I caught up with Sonia and got a fantastic insight into her aspirations and goals.
You've been singing since a very young age? How did if all start? I've been singing since a very early age, growing up within a musical family (my great-grandmother was a music teacher and my uncle Nuno Bettencourt, who is part of a band "Extreme" and at this moment is the guitarist for Rhianna) and being surrounded by classical music, that was the natural thing to do.
Around 8, I joined my church choir and since then I participated in some music festivals, having won prizes for best interpretation several times.
In my late teenage years I joined one of the most important amateur choirs in Portugal.
Coming from a musical background! How has that inspired you? It is something that is not possible to explain, though it is not my inspiration, it is simply a part of us...
of me and I simply could not live without it! You obviously come from a well educated background, especially with the aptitude in being able to sing in English, Portuguese, French, Italian, Spanish, German and Latin? How on earth did you manage to fit in learning all those languages? I am fluent in 3 (Portuguese, English and French), I started learning English very early for to all my mother's family (her included) live in the United States and as some of them did not speak Portuguese, I had to learn English to be able to communicate with them.
The same happened with French for my father's family is mostly based in France.
Spanish and Italian are very similar to my native language so I understand those perfectly.
While singing in choirs I had to learn lyrics in Latin and German so I was taught the right pronunciation and meaning but I do not know these languages, even though I can understand Latin for is the root language of Portuguese, thus there are lots of similar words in both languages.
Which is your favourite language? English When did you release your very first track? The song is called "Angel" and was released January 12th 2010.
You have just released "Undeniable" which I must say is a powerful classical ballad which is beautifully sung.
How was that song put together? The same way as "Angel," Scott MacAlister composed it and was also in charge of production and arrangements.
Does any of your music have any reflection on your life? Is there any other way? All songs I interpret become a part of me and I give my best to put into the song the experiences I lived, moments that made the difference in my life and somehow changed me.
To me, singing is like acting...
it is passing into the song, sensations and emotions through the sound of my voice.
Actors use their bodies to act, I use my voice to sing.
Your music is mainly focused on ballads and classical? Would you ever consider releasing a up beat song? I am working on that at the moment Are you planning to release a debut album? I expect to release the album I am working on with En-V music next April Have you any gigs coming up soon? No gigs yet but I am waiting for the release of a country song in the US in a compilation (R&R Music Compilation Volume I) which was done by invitation of the "Ridler brothers" who asked me to perform a romantic duet called "Once upon a time".
Do you enjoy the audience atmosphere? I love it, I feel at home.
Every artist whether signed or unsigned have had unexpected encounters on the stage.
Can you recall an unexpected encounter on stage that wasn't suppose to happen? I guess I am still expecting the unexpected.
Have you ever considered auditioning for reality programs like the X Factor? No, not really, it is not my type of show, as I think these programs are more focused in obtaining audience levels than in the development of artists but I do not judge those who make the choice to pursue a career that way...
everyone must find whatever suits their personality better.
I previously quoted you as a younger singing version of Susan Boyle who gained masses of fame through Britain's got talent? What do you think of Susan Boyle? I love her voice, powerful yet delicate.
Do you think Susan was rushed into fame to quickly? No, I do not.
When people are as talented as she is, nothing is ever too fast, if you know what I mean...
she should have been discovered a long time ago...
You obviously work extremely hard on your music which has given you a full time job as a solo classical singer.
What advice if any could you give aspiring artists who would like to pursue their dream? Work hard, never give up, always believe there is a way.
Chase your dream until it comes true, no matter what.
That is what I am still doing.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? As all other aspiring singers out there, I want my talent to be recognized worldwide.
Source...