Bio

Know more about susana

 "ART is my mother tongue and compass, NATURE my greatest inspiration and teacher, and MINDFULNESS and other spiritual practices provide me with tools to connect deeply with the magic of LIFE."

Susana Pineda, a versatile singer, composer, and interdisciplinary artist from Medellín, Colombia, now based in Los Angeles, believes that art serves as a universal language and a bridge for interaction, collaboration, connection, and creation.

Susana has worked and performed with various musicians and groups in Latin music and contemporary jazz across Colombia, Brazil, and the United States. She has released albums such as "Gather," a journeying album, and two jazz albums, "Neotropical" and "Opaluna." Additionally, she has contributed to Latin Grammy-winning projects like Puerto Candelaria's "Yo Me Llamo Cumbia," showcasing her versatility in contemporary jazz and Latin jazz recordings.

In her compositions, performances, and teaching, Susana explores and writes for the voice in various ways. She employs spoken word, improvisation, instrumental vocal lines, melodic singing, and extended techniques, blending her diverse musical backgrounds and influences in jazz, Latin, experimental, rock, world music, and electronics. Connecting music to her visual art, movement, and mindfulness practices, she creates transformative and wholesome experiences.

Currently, Susana is exploring, creating and developing interdisciplinary and interactive experiences that explore the intersections of music, poetry, movement, visuals, mindfulness, and wellness in unconventional ways. 

From a young age, Susana has been immersed in the arts, teaching various craft techniques in her mother's Art's and Crafts store in Colombia since she was 12. She pursued a technical high school education in applied arts and design at Bachillerato Tecnico La Colegiature Colombiana. Later, she obtained a Jazz BFA from the California Jazz Conservatory, where she honed her vocal technique, delved into improvisation, and discovered her interest in spoken word. Susana also holds an MFA degree from the California Institute of Arts, focusing on music composition and interdisciplinary work.

Teaching is another great passion of Susana's, evident in her work over the past three years at Seven Arrows Elementary School, where she collaborated with educator Beatriz Llano to develop the Mindfulness through the Arts program and music album.

Susana is currently pursuing her second master's degree in Mindfulness-based Transpersonal Counseling at Naropa University, deepening her exploration in the art of being and living to incorporate into all aspects of her work.