Flavia Bittencourt – Brazil’s Finest Folk Singer Shares Her Secrets to Success
Autor: Flávia Bittencourt | Publicado: 2011-08-31T21:23:00-07:00

Flavia Bittencourt makes her UK debut at a night hosted by Shakti Women on Saturday, September 17th at The Edge, Digbeth, as part of Espirito Brum Festival 2011. Having rocketed to national fame in Brazil when one of her songs was picked up by a soap opera viewed at its height by 950,000 people, Flavia has toured Europe, through Portugal, France and Italy, and has taken her original interpretations of traditional Brazilian folk music as far afield as Angola.She remains an independent artist with a very strong sense of identity, not to mention a beautiful voice. Shakti Women caught up with her to find out what we can learn from this woman to watch. Why not listen to her most famous tune, Terra de Noel, while you read?
Can you tell us a little about yourself, and your professional journey?I’m a Brazilian artist, I began studying music when I was still in school, and started out as a professional in 2001, in my home city of&nbsp; São Luís do Maranhão. I recorded two albums, the first was released on major Brazilian label Som Livre, and included the music ‘Terra De Noel’, which was picked up by the hugely successful soap opera “America” in 2005. the second album “Todo Dominginhos” is a hommage to one of Brazil’s greatest musicians Dominginhos.It will be great to share our work overseas through this tour, it’s very important for a musician to see their work crossing borders, and to be able to take their music to the people.

Can you recall the defining moments of your career?For me, the most memorable moments of my career have been those which I’ve spent at the side of great artists whom I really admire, like Dominginhos, Zeca Baleiro and Lenine, and a collaboration I took part in with a Brazilian orchestra in Luanda, Angola.What characteristics have you developed to help you to grow?I consider myself to be a studious, I’ve always studied music, even through university, then I took a couple of theatre courses to develop my stage presence.&nbsp; I’m also a very inquisitive person, keen to try out new things. Right now I’m preparing myself for a performance with the dancer Anna Botafogo. Although I’m primarily a musician, I’ll be working with her&nbsp; in a fluid, artistic dialogue, which I think will be very interesting.What type of barriers have you faced, and how have you overcome them?Even now I face obstacles, I am an independent musician, without the support of big labels. I believe that the desire to sing on stage, and pleasure that I feel when I touch other people through my music are what strengthen me to overcome these obstacles.
What qualities did you draw upon to help you overcome these barriers? My desire to be on the stage, to sing, to enjoy myself and to touch people.What advice would you give to other women who a re on the brink of starting their professional journey? To be strong and never give up, because it is worth the effort!If you could write a letter to yourself back at the start of your career, what advice would you give, knowing what you do today?There will be difficulties, you will feel anxious at times, that’s a fact, even so it will all be worth the effort, and you’ll be repayed for all your work with every show you do.Lastly, who is your Shero? It can be any woman who inspires you.My mother, she is a shining example of courage and the ability to overcome anything.
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