By Joana Patacas*, on April 6, 2024
In a world where artistic boundaries are constantly redefined by new emerging talents, Bruna Antunes , a young 17-year-old singer and visual artist, stands out as a promise in the arts scene.
With a genuine passion for both music and visual arts, Bruna's life unfolds in a narrative where creativity knows no limits.
“I can’t even imagine the possibility of not being able to sing; It’s an asphyxiating idea.” Bruna Antunes.
From the first chords sung in the comfort of her family, through a drawing and painting exhibition at just 15 years old, to the stages on the streets of Óbidos, this artist has followed a path guided by authenticity and the incessant search for her own voice.
With an indomitable spirit and insatiable curiosity, Bruna is determined to explore all facets of her creativity, because for her art is not just a form of expression, but an extension of her own identity.
“Art is my life. Everything I like to do is linked to the arts: drawing, singing, reading, dancing…” Bruna Antunes
In this interview with ProART , conducted by Joana Patacas (JP), we venture into the universe of Bruna Antunes , exploring her inspirations and aspirations of someone who is not limited to a single artistic passion.
JP: When did you realize that singing was something special for you?
Bruna : I always sang. When I was little, music was already part of my games: I sang to my dolls and at family gatherings. My cousins and I always put on a show after dessert was finished. I had a Ruca microphone and I loved singing for my parents and family. I also sang a lot with my uncle: he played the guitar and I accompanied him with my voice.
JP: Is your uncle a professional or amateur musician?
Bruna : It's not professional. He makes music for pleasure.
JP: So, you grew up with music?
Bruna : Yes. There was always music playing. My father really likes music, although he doesn't sing or play an instrument.
JP: Did you have musical training?
Bruna : I took singing lessons during the 5th and 6th year. It was an option that the school gave us. Before that, I had taken piano lessons for two years, and continued for another two years at school, but I no longer know anything. I don't know how to play anymore. I still have the keyboard here, so every now and then I do a few things, but I stopped practicing, because I like singing more. Later, at the age of 15, I started having musical representation at Studio 12, where I took singing lessons and did theater exercises. We were a small group, so we had very individualized support. We performed at Teatro-Cine Torres Vedras, but we also performed on the street; everything was filmed and we created audiovisual projects with these performances. Also around the age of 15 I started taking dance classes at Estúdio Flui, and now I take music classes at Musicália, a music academy. This training has all been done in Torres Vedras.
JP: What was the first time you sang on stage?
Bruna : At the school auditions. I was also asked to be part of the chorus for the opera “Hansel and Gretel”. He must have been around 11 years old. This was a very different experience from what I was used to, because it required a lot of rehearsals and more in-depth work.
JP: And it was at that point that you realized you wanted to sing professionally?
Bruna : I've known this since I was a child! I always wanted to be a famous singer.
JP: And continues to sing…
Bruna : Yes, whenever I can. In Musicália I'm part of a band called «Pandora» and we usually play at Vila Café. In total there are eight or nine of us, two singers, guitarists, a bassist and a drummer. I do duets, but I also sing solo. For now, we still don't have an original repertoire. We do covers.
JP: And have you tried composing your own songs?
Bruna : I really like writing and I've already written some lyrics. I've also tried to compose some songs, but that's not my focus. I define myself as a singer.
JP: What does music mean to you?
Bruna : Singing is therapy and the way I find to free myself. I can't even imagine the possibility of not being able to sing; It's an asphyxiating idea. I express myself through music. I like to feel involved in music and identify with it, that is, to find in music a reflection of my own emotions.
JP: Do you have a favorite musical style?
Bruna: I like to sing practically everything: rock, indie pop, soul, blues, jazz… I really like singing jazz.
JP: Do you usually sing in other places, besides Vila Café?
Bruna : I love singing in the street! I usually sing in Óbidos on the weekends. I really like the “vibe” that Óbitos transmits. I also want to start singing in bars more regularly.
JP: Tell us about this experience of singing on the street.
Bruna : It's an incredible experience because we never know what will happen, the result is always unexpected. When you sing in the street there are no plans or expectations. Normally, I go with my boyfriend. I sing and he plays the viola. If I go alone, I'll take a column. And it's always good to have an immediate reaction from people and realize that they like my work. It's motivating. Everyone likes to receive compliments.
JP: Is your future goal to be a professional singer?
Bruna : I would really like to sing professionally, yes, but I also love drawing and painting, so I divide myself between these two areas and soon see which one I can stand out in. I'm going to continue singing, but my plan now is to finish 12th grade and go to college to do a degree in Fine Arts.
JP: Art plays a very important role in your life. How did you discover your passion for visual arts?
Bruna : Since I was little, I have enjoyed doing crafts and collages. And I love drawing. At first, I made some “dolls” in a notebook that my godmother had given me because my parents had told her that I was starting to draw. It was all very intuitive. I started by watching tutorials on YouTube; I was looking at and copying photographs and I developed this taste. Today I already do some commissioned portraits.
JP: Have you exhibited your work?
Bruna: I studied Visual Arts and we do a lot of exhibitions at school. But I already had an exhibition alone with my drawings and paintings. When I was 15, I was given the opportunity to exhibit my works at Studio 12. It was incredible! It was also a way of overcoming shyness, because I invited people passing by on the street to come in and I was forced to talk to them. Some bought some works from me and left very positive comments in the praise book. I feel like there was little publicity, but it was a unique opportunity.
JP: Do you feel more like a singer or a visual artist? It’s a difficult question…
Bruna : I really want to be a singer, but I also really want to continue drawing. And I don't just draw, I also paint, make clay sculptures and I like to sew. I really like art in general. I have several paths to explore.
JP: And how do you spend your free time?
Bruna : I don't make a distinction between my artistic work and my hobbies. All these artistic works are also how I spend my free time. For example, sewing and clay... I don't know if they are activities that I plan to pursue professionally. Maybe clay, because it is part of the plastic arts. I also play the ukulele. I taught myself and have already taken it to some of my street performances.
JP: What are your ambitions for the future?
Bruna : I want to do something that I enjoy, and singing and drawing are the things that give me the most pleasure. Art is my life. Everything I like to do is linked to the arts: drawing, singing, reading, dancing…
JP: What advice would you give to other young artists?
Bruna: Don't be ashamed. For example, it's easy for me to perform on the street because I'm singing in front of people I won't see again. If they don't like my music, they stay in their lives and I stay in mine. And I always benefit from having this experience. Of course, it's always good when people like my work, but if they don't like it, it doesn't affect me either, because people have different tastes. I sing because I love to sing, not to please others.
Interview with singer Bruna Antunes originally published at www.proart.art
Listen to Bruna's voice in this interpretation of the song I'd Rather Go Blind, by Etta Jones:
See some of his beautiful paintings:
You can find more information about Bruna Antunes at: