Esperanza Spalding was gifted with a natural talent for music. Not only is she an amazing jazz singer, but she can also play the upright bass at the same time, a skill that takes most musicians years to be able to do. While her music is categorized as jazz, she incorporates elements of R&B and Brazilian music into her songs.
Mexican writer, graphic artist, and musician.
Sister Mary Leo was New Zealand’s best-known singing teacher in her time.
Evelyn Rawlins taught music in Palmerston North for over 65 years.
American singer, philanthropist, and Union nurse during the American Civil War
Samoan-New Zealander jazz singer
At the age of 16, Sonita Alizadeh found out she was to be sold into marriage. Propelled to do something by this experience and the experiences of other women around her, the young Afghani woman turned to rap music. Alizadeh now uses her music and her convictions to end child marriage and to fight for the rights of women and girls all over the world.
New Zealand singer and mayor
American musical educator
María Roselia Jiménez Pérez has produced several children’s books in Tojolab’al and has composed several pieces of vocal music in her language as well.