Amy Barbera has a voice so angelic and inspirational it pierces the soul. With each of her original songs, there lies a fusion of power and emotion. Her songs are a colorful display of her deep passion, that envelops the listener in a canvas of hope and love. Amy shines bright and delivers from the heart. She is destined to be recognized as one of the most sincere and passionate singer/songwriters of her time. (From Amy’s website)

TSM: Amy, it’s such a pleasure to have you in TSM. Thanks so much for doing an interview for the magazine.

AB: Jessica, I am so happy to be interviewing with you again and to be apart of the re-launch of your amazing Talent Spotlight Magazine. Thank you from my heart for taking time to interview me and for this wonderful opportunity!  

TSM: What inspired you to get into music? And at what age did you start singing and writing songs?

AB: Well, I have always known since I was a small child that I had a passion to sing. When I was in elementary school the school decided to put on a big talent show and I entered the contest! I dressed up in a cute little dress and used some fun props and performed the song “My Favorite Things” from the movie The Sound Of Music. I ended up winning the whole talent contest and that really boosted my self-esteem! I was a shy little girl at the time and did not have much self confidence so winning the contest really meant so much to me. In middle and high school I was in the choir, and in my early years of college I did some musical theatre and even got some small leads, but it wasn’t until I moved to Florida at the age of twenty one that I really decided to pursue music with my whole heart. In Florida I started singing as a praise and worship leader at a church called Living Word Fellowship Church and that is when God really revealed to me that my calling was to sing. The church music leader gave me solos every week, and I started seriously training with many voice teachers at that time as well, so that is when I really started to grow as a singer and an artist! Around the age of twenty three is when my songwriting journey began, and the Lord started putting original songs in my heart to write and record. In 1998 I recorded my very first original song titled “Flowers In My Garden” with a music producer named Tim Jack! Since then I have written and recorded over thirty original songs, and I have released two original song albums – my debut album Beautiful Flower of Life released in 2008 and my healing meditation CD titled Breath of Angels released in 2015, as well as many other song singles.

TSM: You released your thirteen song debut album, Beautiful Flower of Life back in June 2008. Tell us a bit about this album and why you called the album Beautiful Flower of Life? Are there any songs in particular that stand out as favourites for you personally and why?

AB: I was beyond happy when my debut album Beautiful Flower of Life was finally released in 2008. I worked really hard on the development of the album. The writing and recording of each one of my original songs was a long process that took several years to complete. In that time period, not only was I training with many different voice teachers, but I was also learning proper recording technique with many different music producers and growing in my songwriting ability. So, I think that is why God had the process take so long! He knew that I needed the proper tools and training to make my debut album the very best. Most of the songs that I have written have been out of my own personal pain and life experiences, or I have been inspired by the lives of others who have touched my heart so deeply that I just had to write a song to express my feelings about it. I am also deeply inspired by God’s beautiful nature, color, love, joy and hope and you will definitely hear that when you listen to each one of my songs. I have to say that my favorite song on my album Beautiful Flower of Life is “Make Me A Butterfly” and that seems to be everybody else’s favorite song of mine too! “Make Me A Butterfly” is not only my favorite song to perform live, but lyrically it is very touching and universally understood by all who listen to it! I wrote the song to bring hope in the midst of a painful situation, and to uplift anyone who is hurting or just needs some inspiration. Since the release of my album thousands of people from all over the world have written to me to say how much “Make Me A Butterfly” and so many of my other songs on my album have made such a difference in their lives. When I create a song, it comes from a very deep and honest place in my heart, and I want others to be able to relate to the song in a deep way as well! I want my heart to connect with their hearts through the honesty and beauty of my songs!

TSM: Your latest album release is a healing meditation CD called Breath of Angels. What is the inspiration behind it?

AB: When God touched my heart to create my healing meditation CD titled Breath of Angels back in 2015 I was at a place in my life that I was under an extreme amount of stress. At that time I was taking a mediation class to help me relax and find balance, and it was during one of my meditation classes that the still soft voice of God spoke to my heart and told me to create an album that would bring others to a place of God’s rest, and bring them comfort, peace and healing. From that point on, I began my journey of creating ten beautifully composed songs for the album. I decided to take several of my songs that were already released and create new meditation remixes of the songs and I also created brand new songs for the album such as the title track “Breath of Angels,” Flying” and “Rest In The Lord.” I teamed up with my amazing friend and music producer Denny Tate on this album adventure because I knew Denny had such a creative flair for meditation ambient music, and that he was not afraid to step out of the box, and be apart of fun and creative projects. It turned out to be a music match made in heaven, and we worked together for months to create something that would be unique and healing at the same time. Not only did I work with Denny Tate on this album, but I also worked with many other amazing music producers including Rodney Laurent on my song “Rest In The Lord”, Doug Hammer on my song “Flying” and Ben Bagby, who has been my main producer for over twenty years 

In February of 2016, my healing meditation album Breath of Angels was Nominated for “Best Vocal Album” for the “One World Music” Radio Awards in the UK. Not only was my album nominated but I also received a special “One World Music” radio nomination certificate as well. Although I did not win the final award for “Best Vocal Album,” I was just so thankful that the “One World Music” judges nominated my album, and that my music is being recognized and played all over the world.