By: Tessa Barker

Of the dozens of artists currently making waves at CU Denver, Verena is someone who stuck out to me when I first heard her sonorous voice in our Performance Practice class. Not only is her voice ever so pleasing to the ear, she captivates audiences with her bubbly personality and genuine passion for performing. Even through a pair of headphones, you can truly hear Verena’s dedication and love for the music she makes. She obviously didn't need to be in that Performance Practice class as much as I did. 

“Alcanzar,” meaning reach in Spanish, is an almost provocative dive into a complex relationship. Verena’s commanding lyrics complement the driving beat and piano melody that softly plays throughout the song. Even if you don’t speak Spanish (like myself), Verena’s intense dynamics and attention to detail in her technical singing tells a story that anyone can follow. 

Hailing from Mexico, Verena is fluent in both Spanish and English and sings in both as well. Personally, I think it is important for music lovers to expose themselves to songs in different languages. Sometimes, we let poor musicianship go over our heads just because the lyrics are understandable, but neglect obvious talent because it doesn’t sound like what we’re used to. You’re limiting your listening pallet if you only stick to songs written in your native language, which is why I recommend Verena as a great starting point in expanding your tastes.