Angela Puerta: Bridging Cultures Through Music
Mary Cait McManamon
From singing in her Shakira Tribute Band to sharing her culture through engaging performances, Angela Puerta has made a name for herself throughout the Madison community. The Colombian singer-songwriter and guitarist defines her music as eclectic since it reflects the different cultures she has been exposed to.
Puerta has been a fan favorite in Overture’s Kids in the Rotunda line up for several years. Although she says she has always loved kids, performing for young audiences was not the path she expected to take.
“I wasn’t sure if I could be engaging enough for kids. But after being asked to do a kids show, I decided to give it a try, and it went well,” says Puerta.
Performing for kids actually provided an environment of relief for Puerta.
“Their innocence and nature are a good reminder of how simple life can be,” she says. “I am always learning new things from them!”
She may learn from them, but they also learn a lot from her.
“I love teaching kids about my culture. I get to explain ‘Why am I wearing this skirt? What is the instrument I’m holding? It’s called Cumbia and it’s what we do in Colombia,’” she says.
“It’s important to expose kids to different ideas. Sometimes it can feel like we are living in a bubble. The more we can expose people to different cultures and help kids understand diverse communities from a young age, the better,” says Puerta.
At Puerta’s Kids in the Rotunda performance, audiences can expect Latin beats, Colombian folkloric music and other familiar songs in both English and Spanish. Kids can dance and further explore a wide variety of Afro-Latino songs while having fun. And there may even be a few opportunities to try out some new instruments!
Along with Kids in the Rotunda, Puerta works as a teaching artist with Overture’s Lullaby Project. This program creates lullabies in collaboration with expectant and new parents and their families. She says she’s personally experienced the transformative power of music through her involvement with the Lullaby Project.
“I find it harder to work with adults. They tend to be more closed off than children, but it is such a rewarding and unique program,” says Puerta. “It's been an incredibly meaningful journey, and I believe it's important to highlight the healing potential of music in our communities.”
The Lullaby Project
Please join us at Kids in the Rotunda on Saturday, April 13 for Puerta’s performances at 9:30am, 11am and 1pm! You can also learn more about Angela Puerta at www.angelapuertamusic.com.