Nádia Figueiredo , born in Belo Horizonte (MG), charted a unique path in music, mixing it with stints in fashion and theater, reflecting a trajectory marked by passion, challenges and determination. His artistic journey began early, at the age of nine, inspired by his grandmother’s guitar, and he soon stood out at the School Festival of Music and Poetry (FEMP), winning awards with his original compositions. At the age of 15, she entered the world of fashion, a phase of learning and resilience that took her from her hometown to the catwalks of São Paulo.
After a 12-year break from music to dedicate herself to her family and her career as a model, Nádia rekindled her passion for music in Rio de Janeiro, exploring new artistic aspects and diving into musical theater. He discovered his true passion for lyrical, sacred and baroque music, gaining a loyal audience and facing prejudice against this style in Brazil. The pandemic brought unexpected challenges, but Nádia channeled her strength into the completion and launch of her book “And for speaking in voice”, sharing valuable knowledge about vocal technique.
Off stage, Nádia is a woman passionate about family, nature and her pets, reflecting a commitment to a more sustainable world. Currently, she ventures into the sounds of Bossa Nova and Jazz, reaffirming her commitment to authenticity and innovation in her multifaceted artistic career.
As he was your journey at music since you first steps to the nine years until your immersion us rhythms from the Bossa New It is of Jazz?
To the 10 years I I had one teacher in guitar extremely eclectic, I learned since pop, countryside, rock, until samba, guarânia It is baião. One true school for you ears in one child, to the 14 years I changed in teacher It is I went to study with one teacher in guitar classic of conservatory in music in Beautiful Horizon.
As The career in model contributed for your training guys It is professional, especially against of the challenges faced?
I I had many resistance of my father when me I fell in love for the universe from the fashion to the 15 years, I did my first book against willing from him, that one it was left at my head It is The willing he was increasing each turn more. I realized that I had this characteristic since I was young, I didn’t give up of my dreams, no matter how difficult it was, I was always obstinate, I had many obstacles, and I only started working in fashion professionally with 21 years, after to have been mother. The maturity I have today was given to me by life, none of it school never gave me would give.
O what The he took The if to move away from the music per 12 years It is O what The motivated The return to this universe?
I already worked as model in BH It is one agency in They are Paul call Next Models he did one casting at my agency It is has invited some models for to work, I I went follow my dream It is me pulled away from the music. With 25 years married It is I came to live at the River in January, continued The to work as model It is he had finished in me to form at faculty in Art scenic, at era my agency of River also worked with actors, one day me they asked if I I wanted to do classroom in corner, they were with one partnership with one teacher, I resolved to start to the classes It is me I fell in love.
Which he was O paper of River in January It is from the partnership with one teacher in corner in your rediscovery It is interest for the theater musical?
When me I formed in Art scenic my focus it was to be actress, although, Never me I thought good O enough, via some colleagues acting It is I was fascinated. In addition to the performing arts college, I also took several courses focused on TV and Cinema at Antônio Amâncio’s school, agent of some well-known actors. Memorizing large texts was a torment, I understood that I could act in another way, I didn’t want to insist on it any longer and I had the idea of acting as an actress in musicals.
I started studying with the singing teacher that the Rio agency introduced me to, and he interspersed the classes with Broadway songs, opera arias and sacred songs. I simply fell in love with lyrical singing, I liked the complexity of singing, I was always extremely curious, it was incredible, I told the teacher that I didn’t want any more Broadway songs, I didn’t want to be an actress in musicals, I just wanted to sing lyrical songs, of preferably arias in Italian. I studied for years in a row, every week, I sang 4 hours straight without stopping, the teachers went crazy, I was like a locomotive blowing its whistle.
How did you face prejudice against the lyrical style of music in Brazil and build a loyal audience?
I face prejudice to this day, in general people’s thoughts are that this type of music is outdated, cheesy, strange, I think it’s a mix of feelings. But I don’t care, I would like at least once in their lives people to have the feeling that I have when I sing a sustained high note, it’s one without magic.
Regarding the public, I took several people to the theater, people who had never had the opportunity to watch a show with a mix of lyrical and popular voices, I took my employee who has worked here at home for over 10 years, then I wanted to go back and take the friends, I took my cleaning lady, my hairdresser, my personal trainer, even my dog’s groomer I took to the theater.
How has the pandemic affected your musical trajectory, especially after the loss of your father to COVID-19?
During the pandemic I did some lives at home singing. All theaters closed, many friends from the musical world in need. I was slowly managing to take people to the theater and those same people came back and took more people, there is nothing more rewarding than that. But when the pandemic hit, everything fell apart. During the confinement, I started writing my book and right in the introduction of this, my father passed away from Covid, I was lost, he was my biggest fan, he always encouraged me, gave his opinion on my music performances, since I was little when I played the guitar for him , I remember him saying: -You need to “train” more. But I wrote the book in mourning and delivered it on time. I am very grateful to the Funarte team who supported me a lot in this difficult time, because I even said I was going to give up.
Can you tell us more about your book “And speaking of voice” and what motivated you to share your knowledge and experiences in the vocal area?
I’ve never taught singing lessons, I’m not a teacher, but in addition to having studied singing with renowned teachers, I took a musical theater course at Cal Escola de Teatro in Rio de Janeiro, I studied singing with an excellent maestro in Rome, Italy and I did several masterclasses in singing with teachers and speech therapists. I had a vocal cleft studying with a teacher who demanded a lot of my high notes, after that I had to do a few months of speech therapy, the cleft closed and I discovered the importance of a speech therapist in singing. I have never found a summarized book that addresses various topics related to voice, vocal health and singing in easy language, as I know from maestros, singing teachers, music producers, singers, musicians to doctors specializing in artistic voice and speech therapists, I had I’m sure I could contribute, sharing my experiences, and talking about important topics with the help of several professionals in the field.
Besides music, what are your other passions and how do they influence your life and career?
Being in nature fascinates me, it’s an escape valve from this crazy world, my dogs make me happy, they calm me down, I have 3, I love good music, I love reading, I love flowers and I love colors, my wardrobe has different colors of clothes, the Colors enchant me, last month I painted my entire room green, every now and then I look enchanted, I think colors have great power.
How do you seek to contribute to a more sustainable world and what are your concerns regarding the environment?
I always try to separate the waste that is recyclable, I keep all the used batteries to dispose of in an appropriate place, electronics, batteries and stray wires, I discovered a company that collects them, clothes that I don’t use go to thrift stores, sometimes they go to family, to my employee or for the boys who play ball at the lights, they love it. I sell good bags that I don’t use, something comes in from the closet, something comes out, I believe this renews energy. I avoid wasting water, I have a bathtub in my bathroom and I hardly use it, there are so many people without clean water.
My concern about the environment is people, especially those who live as if there was no tomorrow, who don’t try to find out about all the problems the planet is going through, I worry about people’s lack of awareness, because their bad attitudes , affects the entire society.
What can we expect from your new musical phase exploring Brazilian roots and the rhythms of Bossa Nova and Jazz?
More study, more knowledge and a very Brazilian Nádia, who wants to explore this musical genre more every day.
Follow Nádia Figueiredo on Instagram