ZUWENA finds her calling in Christian music

characteristics

3 hours ago

As the title of her debut single suggests, Zuwena “ZUWENA” James-Bernard let go and let God take over. The 30-year-old Christian singer/songwriter, now an award-winning artist, says she is living her dream and fulfilling her destiny.

James-Bernard was born and raised in Pt Fortin and told WMN she has always been “very artistic.”

“…And very creative, but still a bit shy.”

She has always loved singing, but during her time at Point Fortin RC Primary School she never told others about this hidden talent.

“It was only in secondary school (Iere High School), around third grade, that I started performing with my friends, with the choir, going to Sanfest… (singing) at school programs for Christmas, Father’s Day, etc.”

This, she said, was the beginning of her “coming out of her shell.”

During her school years, she also took part in a competition called “Stipendiaty Competition of Talented Teens” in 2012.

“I was actually encouraged, especially by my geography teacher, Mr. Declan Hive. Even though he taught geography, he was the one who really promoted the arts at Iere High School.”

She eventually won the competition and got the opportunity to participate in the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA).

“This competition (WCOPA) really opened my eyes (and confirmed) that I want to and will make music as a recording artist. I thought, ‘Whatever area of ​​music I can find that I know I’m good at, I’m going to do that.'”

She competed in the R&B and Gospel categories and had the opportunity to attend music workshops and meet producers and record label representatives. She won silver in R&B and bronze in Gospel.

“I did a little demo, they gave me feedback and that really helped me understand the music industry better. I knew this was something I really, really wanted to do.”

She used this passion in her academic career and studied music at the State University of New York in Plattsburgh from 2014 to 2018.

She said it was a “great experience” that changed her attitude towards music forever.

“I always knew that music was beautiful and fun, but when you study it, you realize it’s a science. It was harder than I thought and I appreciated the experience.”

As for her songwriting skills, she said it helped her understand “where the harmonies should go, the chord progression, the mood, the emotions I want to create… There are so many different roles in music – not just singing and songwriting. There’s composing, vocal arranging, making music…”

She added that her relationship with God also grew significantly during her time there and she felt that He was leading her to pursue this career.

She stayed in the United States for a year and worked as an assistant worship leader at the Plattsburgh House of Prayer and returned home in 2019.

She said she had no set expectations of what it would be like when she began her professional music career in Trinidad and Tobago.

“I never want to paint a picture before I’ve actually experienced it. My only hope was that I would find a producer who understood my vision, and I did.”

She released her first single Let Go, Let God in 2020, which was produced by Kompel Music Production (Kurn Noel).

“A lot of things were new to me: the marketing, getting the song on the radio, meeting radio presenters, doing advertising.”

When asked how she felt when the song was first released, she said: “Emotionally, it was a mix of excitement and nervousness.

“It’s a very personal song, but I knew a lot of people could relate to it. So I thought, ‘Now everyone will hear it. I hope they love it as much as I do.'”

And many did.

The song is about not having everything figured out, but trusting in God.

Other released titles include Watch Over Me, We Outside, God Will Not Fail, We Outside, No No, Vessel of Faith and I Am.

She said people’s feedback on her music so far has been: “This is different. I like it and I want to hear more of it.”

She said her family has always supported her career goals, even though it is not a traditional path.

“They had more faith in me when I was still a little nervous. And God also made the vision much clearer to me. I knew I was being led to this.”

At this year’s Gospel Music Awards (TT), she was nominated for Breakout Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year and Music Video of the Year (for her track “We Outside”).

“I really put in the effort. I realized that I met the criteria. That was partly because of the votes (of the public), partly because of the jury.”

She said she was delighted to be nominated alongside “so many other artists who have simply worked hard on their craft.”

“I was just happy to be there.”

The awards ceremony took place on July 7 at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA).

She was named Young Artist of the Year.

“It was a surreal moment to hear my name. I was like, ‘OMG, should I get up now?'” she said, laughing.

She said she was very proud of her musical style, which she described as “very and consciously Trini.”

“I love our accent and I think that’s something that should be appreciated outside of soca and calypso. Our accent is beautiful in any genre. We don’t have to change our accent to fit the origins of a genre.”

For this reason, she has also started a social media series called “Trini Accent Again” in which she sings international songs in her TT accent.

She hinted that she will be releasing a new song and music video “very soon” and is also working on an eight-track EP due out in October.

Local artists she admires include NISA, Nathanael, Freetown Collective and BJ’orn Pierre.

In addition to her artistic activities, she gives music lessons (singing and piano) to children and adults.

Her music can be found on streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Tidal, Spotify and Deezer. If you are interested in her journey, you can also visit her website zuwenamusic.com.