Music has always been at the root of my existence. I was born in the small seaport town of Marblehead, Massachusetts. I was fortunate enough to be raised in a multi-cultural home. This allowed me to see and appreciate different ways of life. My mother is of Irish decent, and my father was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. Both my parents have strong musical backgrounds, music and dance was all I knew. Growing up my parents told me stories of me dancing before I could even talk, and breaking out of my walker to Michael Jackson’s “BEAT IT.” This was only the beginning of a life filled with dreams and aspirations all revolving around music.

I always traveled with my family. They emphasized the importance of keeping connected with my Latin roots. We would take frequent trips to the Dominican Republic to visit family and friends. Growing up in a Latin household, music was a huge part of my being. There was never a family function that didn’t involve music and dancing. This is when my love for Latin music truly began. I would listen to many different styles of music; anything that would make me move. Throughout my childhood, some of my favorites included, close family friend Ramon Orlando y Su Orquesta, Alex Bueno, Altamira Banda Show, Selena, La India, Gloria Estefan,  Eddie Santiago, Alejandro Fernandez and DLG. These artists are just of few that have had a huge influence on my life as a performer.

My strong dance background also plays a key part in who I am today as an artist. I always dreamed of not only being a singer, but a true performer; combining singing with dance to put on a show stopping performance. I have always said that my life didn’t actually begin until the age of two when I began dance lessons. Throughout my life I have studied many styles of dance; Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Latin, Funk, Theatrical, among many more.  As a child I set many goals for myself as a performer.  My longtime dancing career has definitely helped me successfully reach many goals, but I still strive to reach and accomplish many more.  Some of my accomplishments include…. Performing in Disney World, choreographing musical productions, teaching dance to both children and adults, choreographing, and being part of music videos. Being a proud alumni of the “Phunk Phenomenon Urban Dance Theater,” I have achieved many dreams. I am an instructor with this company as well as a performer.  I had many great experiences with this company such as, being one of the official dancers of the “Boston Celtics” for six years, Coaching the “Lil’ Phunk” Celtics Dancers, appearing on MTV’s “MADE”, performing at Jordan’s Furniture’s “ Camp Miracles,” performing at concerts for radio stations like, “Hot 97.7,” “Jamn’ 94.5,” and “Kiss 108,” appearing with artists such as, Amerie, Britney Spears, Daniel Bedingfeild, TLC, Michelle Branch, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Wayne Wonder, Jewel, Lisa Marie Presley, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Maroon Five, Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey, Hillary Duff, and Simple Plan, to name a few. One of the music videos I played a part in was the hit song, “Rakata”, by Winsin and Yandel. I not only appeared in this video, but I was also hired as one of the choreographers. My latest work as a choreographer took me to Paris where I choreographed and featured in the new “Just Dance 2” video game for the Nintendo Wii system. My most recent adventure as an instructor has been with the Zumba® Fitness program. I was invited to the 2009 Zumba Convention in Orlando, Florida; as a guest presenter. There I taught the Reggaeton section of the Master workshops, to the thousands of instructors who attended this magnificent event. Thanks to that wonderful opportunity I have been able to travel internationally teaching Zumba® Master Classes and in addition have been selected to give choreography workshops to fellow instructor with my current position as a “Zumba® Jammer.” Teaching to me is one of the most rewording things. I love being able to share the gift of dance with others who are hungry for knowledge, and eager to experience the joys it can bring to ones life.

It wasn’t until about six years ago that I decided to take my talents to the next level. A conversation took place between myself and the amazing singer, songwriter and composer, “El Maestro,” Ramon Orlando Valoy. He thought that it would be a great idea to start working on a new project; something different. Bachata was always a style of music that I loved. This triggered the idea. At this point in time there were really no female Bachata singers out in the main stream, and there definitely weren’t any females who were not only fusing Bachata with Pop, but combining that style with explosive dance moves.

With the promotion of my first album, “Liana” I was blessed  to have visited all the channels, both UHF and VHF, in Santo Domingo where the performances were received very well by the producers.

Programs such as “Divertido con Jochy”, “Chevere Night”, “El Show del Mediodia”,

“La Super Revista”, “Licelot”, “Imadra Full”, Sábado de Corporán, La Super Revista, Te Están Facturando, Licelot, Con Janna, “Las Aventuras de Yorito”, among others.

I also took part on the principal radio programs of Santo Domingo, “El Mismo Golpe”, that is directed by Jochy Santos on 106.5FM and “Botando el Golpe” on 98.5FM and “El Vacilon del Sabado”, by Neon, that is produced by the newspaper journalist Jose Antonio Aybar together with a select team of artistic reporters, successfully putting the project in tune with the public. I also shared time with many announcers and the president of the DJ Association of the Dominican Republic where the song “Ojo” was played on the stations that feature tropical music. With this song along with one of my other singles, “La Otra,” I have had the opportunity to share stages with artists such as; El Chaval, Anthony Santos, Geovanny Polanco, Yoskar Sarante, and more.

Over the past year I have been working on music with the talented Joel Rosario and DJ Sammy of the Dominican Republic, for the release of my new album, “Descontrol.” For this project I have expanded; given it a new dynamic, by comprising the album of all Pop style tracks. These new tracks enable me to really make my presentation complete, and let the public know who I really am as an artist. This gengre allows me to express myself vocally and physically; through dance, at a much broader range. My professional dance background fed into a lot of the emotion and feeling behind this new album. I wanted to create and album that would express who I am as an entertainer and not only a vocalist. My goal was to have the majority of the album made up of contagious dance beats that have no boundaries or boarders, and that would make as much of an explosive impact as I do when on stage. They would not only appeal to the Latin population but the world as a whole. Music and dance are two things that speak for themselves and are universal languages. The rhythms and melodies that make up this album were made to be shared with those near and far.

Now here I am; still striving to achieve my ultimate goal as a performer.  The goal of one day being able to share my gift of music, and affect people’s lives in a positive way around the world. The goal of inspiring young children all over to never give up hope and to always reach for their dreams, because dream really do come true.

 

“Dreams can open the door to your life and to your heart.” ~ Liana Veda