husband’s band at French QuarterFest, and I finally performed withmy own band in 2015. I also reallylove performing at City Park’s musicseries — the audience is superattentive and appreciative. I wasreally honored to sing the NationalAnthem at a Saints Game once withthe Victory Belles for the VeteransDay game. That was intense - 70,000people in the stands and another 20million watching on live television!The first run of “Jump, Jive, andWail!” was so much fun. It was mybreakout role for theatre — andbecause Louis Prima was a NOLAnative, we were sold out every nightfor the three-month run.VN: How has music empoweredyou for coping with the challengespresented by your son Oskie’sspecial needs?CP: While I was pregnant, I thoughtI would get so inspired to write newmusic after giving birth. Things wereso hectic and challenging the firstthree years — I didn’t write a singlething. I mostly listened to music as acoping mechanism, a way to processwhat I was feeling when I didn’t havethe words yet. When I was angry,I’d listen to “Break Stuff” by LimpBizkit. When I was in the NICU withmy son, I listened to “Bedroom Fans”off of local guitarist’s Russel Welch’s“Mississippi Gypsy” album. It was sosoothing — and not too stimulatingfor my preemie. I had it on repeatfor a long time. My background inMusic Therapy definitely came inhandy in implementing therapytechniques I learned from Oskie’sphysical, occupational, and speechtherapists, and also has given meskills in interpreting nonverbalcommunication — which is crucialfor my son who is (at least currently)non-verbal.VN: You finally got back into writingand singing. Tell us about your latestsingle.CP: My latest single, “Lessons I’veLearned” was the first song I wroteafter having Oskie — three and ahalf years after giving birth. It’s themusical version of what I would tellmyself to get through tough hospitalvisits or bad news. “Lessons I’veLearned” is an anthem to otherswho have faced adversity and haveor are working towards overcomingthem. These last three years withmy son, have made me a strongermother, wife, and a woman, and Iwant to use my creativity and artto give a louder voice to those withloved ones with disabilities.VN: How has motherhood changedyour music?CP: As far as my songwritingapproach goes, I’m writing morein detail about my personalexperience. Now, I’m letting it allout. My new music has more varietyin styles and moods. I’m also doingsome co-writing, letting others helpme turn my ideas into a reality. It’svery reflective of my experience asa mother — knowing when you’vedone what you can, knowing yourstrengths, and then knowing whento ask for help. It takes a village.I’m also toying around with someelectronic music and branching intomore contemporary and pop styles— although my music will alwayshave some sort of jazz influence.VN: Are you ready to movepermanently back to New Orleans?CP: NOLA is still home to me, but wehave bounced around the past fewyears for my husband’s clerkshipsin Birmingham, AL, Wyoming, andnow we are in Washington, DC. Weare planning on moving back to NewOrleans! September 2020 is ourprojected return date.VN: Are there music related plansfor when you move back?CP: I’ve been doing a bunch ofsongwriting and would love torelease some new music. I’m hopingto make another music videoand get back to performing. I’dalso really love to write songs forother artists and focus on doingmore collaborations. I know I willalways use my voice, my music, toadvocate for my son and for otherparents in similar situations. Thebeauty of music is that it transcendslanguage, age, race, ethnicity — it’sthe ultimate universal language. Ican’t wait to share what I’ve beenworking on.Stream “Lessons I’ve Learned” andsupport Cristina by following her onInstagram @CristinaPerezEdmunds,on Facebook, Cristina Perez Music,or read her blogitsnottoocomplicated.comPEOPLE*PLACES EVENTSF A C E B O O K L I V E E V E R YW E D N E S D A Y A T 6 P MF A C E B O O K / V I V A N O L A M A GJ A ET U E S D A Y S A T 6 P MB I L I N G U A L S H O WFor advertisingopportunitiesand interviewfeatures,contactshowconexiones@gmail.comCONEXIONES@VIVANOLAMAG.COM<<Scan withphone camerato watchvideoA N A M A R I A
“Most of my childhood exposureto Cuban and Latino culture wasthrough music. Every weekend, mydad would drive us out to the pool orto the movies, and he’d play GloriaEstefan, Ricky Martin, Albita, GypsyKings, Thalia — all the greats. “Una conversación conCristina Pérezmusician, mother, activist
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