Connect
To Top

Meet Æmy Niafeliz

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Æmy Niafeliz.

Æmy Niafeliz is a multi-talented artist, singer, songwriter, musician, composer, arranger, motivational speaker, dancer/choreographer, actress, humanitarian, designer, volunteer youth guide, film director and producer, born on an island called Curaҫao. Already at the age of three, she was singing along with songs she would hear on the radio. At the age of four, she once took her father’s trumpet, put it on her mouth, raised it up with both hands and blew out a loud and brassy G above middle C. When he saw that, he guided her seriously on the musical path, teaching her all the basic elements of music, focusing especially on the piano. So at seven, she started touching the piano at home, making melodies and songs of her own and at the age of nine she was playing piano in church.

Her formal piano training started when she was in the sixth grade at elementary school under the guidance of her piano teacher David Isenia and later on, her brother Igor Felicia. One year later, she took her father’s bass guitar and started picking up the bass line in songs by ear. She continued playing bass and piano in church until she reached secondary school (M.I.L.), where her school music teacher David ‘Ronchi’ Matthews, encouraged her to pick up the bass-guitar seriously. As her developments continued, she remained active, learning and teaching music.

Composing was and is one of Æmy’s major talents since she was a young child. After years of composing, she decided to launch her solo career in 2012 with her debut song ‘Kosecha Kantando’, a song she wrote back in 2007, a motivational song about perseverance and strength; it is one of many songs that is found on her debut album. This song broke barriers between the cultural sound and the familiar world music as we know it, namely a fusion of diverse rhythms and genres consisting of Seú, 6/8 and Jazz.

‘Mi Tera’ was the second project that Æmy has worked on. It is a song which she has composed, directed and produced its visuals, in which she addresses the harsh realities in all the countries of the world, providing solutions for their issues. While graduating from the University with her bachelor’s degree, Æmy was still working on this project as her second production. She is a graphic designer, clothes designer, dance choreographer and she makes her own songs and music videos. Clothes designing is something she is really passionate about. You can see all the clothes she has designed in her debut video-clip ‘Kosecha Kantando’ and other music-videos.

After ‘Mi Tera’, she composed and created the hit song: ‘Bo Mirada’, which has captivated the hearts of many. It has resonated in Latin countries such as Venezuela, Panama and Cuba. It has provided Æmy her 1st Latin-international performance.

This song stood for many weeks on the number#1 position at radio stations, earning her many awards and musical recognition. It has also entered Legendary Curaçao Music list of the top 100 most popular and best-hit songs of all time. By the time it has almost reached half a million views, it had to be removed and reloaded due to unforeseen circumstances and now it has 66.000 views and it is moving up again by numbers. Due to the popularity, it has gained in Latin countries, Æmy has decided to make the Spanish version and also the English version of “Bo Mirada”.

Æmy staged her 1st concert in this same year, which left people begging for a repeat of this concert. This debut concert was a success, which catapulted her to the next level of her musical career. At the public’s request, Æmy gave three more concerts after this and a second album followed in that same year. She has won several awards, naming: Curaçao Music Awards as best female singer of the year and best upcoming artist. She has won the prestigious “Premio Edgar Supriano” as best female singer of the year, she has also won the “Skempi” music awards as best song of the year; Radio Direct and Radio MAS also awarded her as the best female artist of the year. She was honored in 2016 with the “Premio Karabela” plaque as an outstanding artist and role model, who had one of the most influential music that year. More awards followed in 2019.

Hereafter, she started performing at restaurants, resorts and hotels as live entertainer on her piano. “Baoase Luxury Resort” is where she started back at in her adult years, seeing before that, she was already playing as duet or trio at several other hotels gigs.

Æmy has always had a burden and love for people. She is someone who focuses on helping and educating people with every God-given talent she possesses and everything she could possibly share. She firmly believes that it is better to give than to receive. The use of her musical talents is no exception to this. Being raised in a musical, spiritual and sportive home (sports Æmy has practiced were karate, volleyball and track & field), made her realize at a very young age, that she can use the ability to make music and compose songs, to inspire, uplift, motivate and encourage people of all ages. But she has discovered that this is possible not only through music but with all the other artistic abilities that she has. In every show, performance or motivational speech Æmy is surrounded by her lovely fans that support her music and then there are those who were there from the beginning and who are still loyal fans. The mutual love kept growing to the extent that her fan base crossed international borders and many are those who are delighted by her music and inspirational words.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Æmy decided to quit her daytime job in 2014, to pursue her musical career full-time. She took this leap of faith, knowing that the music and art in her soul deserved a chance to come to life, but at the same time it was a challenging decision and because of this, she went through many hardships but has managed to keep producing inspiring projects regardless on a much slower pace. Because of her extraordinary stage presence and live performances, she was invited at different shows at diverse events, which kept her going and allowed her to stand behind her decision.

Æmy firmly believes that music is a powerful medium through which peoples´ lives can be transformed and through which feelings can be molded and moods can be changed. That primary action starts with oneself. This thought’s proof lies in her first music-video, for which she worked hard for five years. This was a hard period in her life as she had to overcome many obstacles while working two jobs and going to school at the same time in order to save, to reach the finance that was necessary to pull through and make her 1st inspirational music-video which was “Kosecha Kantando”.

Besides working five hard years to reach the finance she needed to jump-start her career on the level she has always aimed for, she composed the song, did all the singing (backing-vocals), the scenes, clothing, choreography, hair & make-up, concept, producing and directing of this clip all by herself, because it would be less expensive. It was a very challenging and strenuous journey, physically mentally and emotionally. All this, also to live-up to the words she sings about in her songs and her personal motto she lives by, which is: “to do your best with what you have, to never give up on that burning passion inside your heart because others depend on your light and gifts. For we all came into this world with a purpose and for a special reason. We need each other and we`re uniquely made to uplift, inspire and bless each other with every God-given ability we possess” ~ Æmy Niafeliz.

The biggest and hardest challenge in her career was when a band stole and recorded her song illegally before she had the chance to enjoy its 1st fruits after her release. This led to major losses for her and brought much controversy and setbacks during that period of time. But she managed to endure and persevere through this period. This experience has given her a watchful eye and knowledge in the ways of the music industry.

Can you give our readers some background on your music?
Æmy makes music with purpose. She is involved in all aspects of her music and visual productions. From the sound to the design, she knows exactly what she wants to deliver to the public. Æmy makes music that moves all listeners to act upon what is being sung and to push forward in every area of life. Music that makes you smile, dance, laugh, cry, think and ACT, thus plunging into action.

Because of Æmy’s diverse music genres and artistic style, she performs at diverse events and matches everybody`s musical taste and expectations. Æmy always gives amazing performances full of energy and passion leaving her guests to experience an unforgettable moment, filled with fun and beautiful memories. Her positive lyrics and speeches inspire and motivate everyone!

Æmy’s clothing designs stands out, she has been doing this since she was a young teenager and never stopped. She is well known for not only her beautiful musical compositions but creating every aspect of art itself, from designing to choreography to music, storylines, short films, poems….etc. You name it, she composes, creates or designs it!

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Æmy does not consider herself to be lucky, but merely that she had favor and grace. Hard work and perseverance is key. She was and is a person that is obedient to the laws of life, laws of nature and laws of God. She firmly believes that; respect, love for God and people, being ready, having the right attitude and her positivism played the role.

Contact Info:

Suggest a story: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in