Meet Verena

We had the good fortune of connecting with Verena and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Verena, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Honestly, this question has always been a bit challenging for me to answer, because pursuing an artistic career felt like an inevitable path for me. From the time I was about ten years old, I knew that this was exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Music, in particular, has always been my home. It’s the one place where I feel unapologetically myself, a medium through which I’ve navigated countless stages of my life. Creating and performing music has given me a sense of identity and belonging that I couldn’t find elsewhere. It’s been my way of expressing emotions, coping with challenges, and celebrating joys.

The decision to pursue an artistic career was less of a choice and more of a calling. Art, and especially music, has been a constant in my life, a source of comfort, inspiration, and authenticity. It’s where I feel most alive and true to myself, and I couldn’t imagine a life where I wasn’t immersed in this creative process.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a singer/songwriter from Mexico City, currently based in Denver, Colorado, where I’ve lived for the past four and a half years. In recent years, I’ve immersed myself in Folkloric Latin American music while maintaining my roots in contemporary pop, R&B, and neo-soul. This exploration has been enriched by my band, Ojo de Luna, which I formed with seven of my best friends. We’re excited to release our first single, “Viajero,” on May 31st, with more music to follow this year. Writing in both English and Spanish has broadened my artistic perspective and presented unique challenges.

I’m most excited about our upcoming projects with Ojo de Luna. This band has become like family to me, and I’m constantly inspired by their talent and the lessons I learn from them, both musically and personally. We have several shows lined up, including a performance at Dazzle on August 16th.

One of the biggest highlights in my career was producing a song, ‘Till The Day’ (which can be found on all streaming platforms) with my dear friend Andres Guerrero, recorded with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra, known for their work on the film “Parasite,” and filming a video directed by Daniel Cano and Castalia Films. That project has so much of my heart.

However, my greatest pride lies in the community I’ve found in Denver. The music and art scenes, along with the Latin American community, have given me immense hope and joy. My goal is to give back to this community, helping others find the same sense of belonging I have.

My journey hasn’t been defined by ease or difficulty but by the challenges and the incredible support from my community. Denver’s collaborative and nurturing environment has been instrumental in my growth and determination to continue forward.

A crucial lesson I’ve learned is the importance of being intentional with my energy, time, and focus. Investing these resources wisely into things and people who reciprocate has been key to my personal and professional growth.

In essence, my art is a fusion of diverse musical styles, enriched by a supportive community and driven by a passion for meaningful connections.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, I have had this really happen and my friends always tell me that I give them the “music experience” in Denver!

I would take them to
– The Mercury Jazz Jam on Friday at the Mercury Cafe
– Confluence Park
– Little Man Ice Cream
– The Botanic Gardens
– Any show of any friend that was playing during that week
– Cherry Creek State Park
– Pablo’s Coffe
– Pho 89

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The people who will always deserve credit for my story are my parents. They are two of the most caring, kind, and intelligent people I know, and they have always unconditionally believed in me. It’s only now, at 25 years old, that I’m beginning to believe in myself the way they always have. Sometimes, I still can’t believe how unbelievably lucky I am to have them.

My parents are my #1 supporters. They have been there every single step of the way, providing unwavering support while also allowing me the freedom to explore and become who I want to be. They have given me the space and encouragement to grow into the person I am today, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Website: https://ojodelunaband.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verenasmusic/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verena-fuentes-hernandez-a3415b230/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verenafuentesh

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCJXdN6-PdtwCas3DPinmoA?view_as=subscriber

Image Credits
Ellen Strokes, Eric Salas, Cesar Vera, Grant Syllaba, Kathryn Fernandez