Meet Sonia Kazarova | Grammy Nominated Artist

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

Hi Sonia, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
As entertainers, storytellers and artists we have the unique opportunity to bring a new voice and perspective to the world through the stores we craft and the way in which we express them. . After losing my voice for eight years I was forced to learn to use so much more than my voice. I worked as an actor, a stand up comedian, and even taught martial arts.. one day my teacher and Mentor Milton Katselas insisted that return to training my voice like I did when I was wining. So I did just that and within a few weeks I had regained my voice at full strength and was hired to play Tosca – in the title role of Puccini’s Opera. It was a miracle, but I hadn’t realized the true value of my road back to singing. I had become an Artist with a point of view and perspective unique to all that I was influenced by and had experienced. The result was invigorating! I was on fire and after something profound. I had gained the certainty I needed to create and perform the stories I had been dreaming about all my life. I was so excited to tell other artists about what I had discovered.,to work and collaborate with these great artists through moving and transformative stories. I was finally able to regain the sound I was after, and through it all had become a much more complete artist capable of shining light from within and on others. In every aspect of my industry there are other stories of discovery like this where we are asked to fit a mold. There is only one unique you, an individual that will never happen again. This uniqueness is what we need from each other. This journey happens to all of us. Some figure it out earlier than others. This is the work, finding what matters to us and to foraging a way to bring it to light.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My art has grown through my experience. It is been amazing to discover that dreams have no expiration dates. As a young girl growing up on a tiny ranch in Colorado I dreamed of being a country star singing on the stage of the Grand Ol Opry. My momma thought more of classical music and I so I pursued the study of classical music and theatre and became an opera singer and actress. It would have been hubris to think I could have that old dream that I had buried far beneath Puccini, Mozart, Donizetti and Bellini. Little did I know that my own journey as an artist had to take me through this exact path in order to help me create the kind of romantic, expansive, dramatic country stories that I get to tell today.

We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about.
I have always been fascinated by combining things that seem not to fit together. How the sweeping size and beauty of Opera sounds laid over and in rhythm with Acid Jaz and hip hop. Or woven in between world music and polyrhythmic Afro-beats. I have combined Opera and Acrobats in a show I called ‘AIRCRAFT’. It’s hard to nail down what genre or category my work fits into. This something that all artists struggle with as we create in so many dimensions, sonically visually, and emotionally all while juggling our image or brand in social and orher media. My latest offering has been a return to my childhood dream, an Americana sound that feels like a new genre as it is a true Country Opera. Desperado Debutante tells the story of a great love shattered and redeemed across 11 releases. I have gathered a supergroup of legendary and iconic Grammy and Oscar winning musicians across many genres and disciplines for my touring band now known as The Rocky Mountain Orchestra! From Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Review, iconic and electrifying violinist Scarlet Rivera, Uruguayan guitarist Federico Ramos who’s legendary Oscar-winning playing is the heart and soul of the movies ‘Coco’ and ‘Encanto’, Bob Marley and the Whalers own Carlton ‘Santa’ Davis is on drums and multi Grammy winning drummer MB Gordy whose work includes ‘Game of Thrones’, ‘Battle Star Galactica’ and world music sensation ‘Opium Moon’, Eduardo Del Signore is our Grammy nominated Bass Player who has played with Milton Nacimento, Dionne Warwick, and John Anderson of ‘YES’, known for his composing and philanthropic organization AC2P. Celli have included national treasure and maestro of the Glendale Philharmonic Ruslan Biryukov and Niles Ferguson who’s Oscar nominated performances were included in Miyazaki’s Kiki’s Delivery Service and more, Grammy Nominated Taiwanese multi-instrumentalist Chihsuan Yang who has played for the likes of the Dali Llama graces both fiddle and violin, with two-time Oscar winning Pedal Steel by Bob ‘ Boo’ Bernstein, supported by the keys of Scott Healy whose music direction and mercurial talent has been a mainstay for the Conan O’Brian show for 25 years. This band has been a wonderful part of our live shows and will continue to grow as we expand the music and collaboration.

I have been preparing for my next visual album project at the same time as our live show /touring schedule is shaping up. I am so excited to see how my music and the way in which we are arriving in real life is in such alignment with my heart and desire to be of service. It all feels like some sort of surreal deja vu. Performing music that expresses my story and how that resonates with so many other people and their stories. Working to support indigenous women and their projects, shining light on womens rights, violence against women happening both on and off the reservations, with a keen eye toward support of artists across all cultures genres and mediums through education, colaboration and empowerment.

How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

I am still evolving working to listen to our creator and the universe for role, my purpose and service to there and to the world. I work on my craft daily. Singing, writing, breathing, learning, stretching my abilities beyond comfort. The road has been my life, it is the evolution of Mya rt. It has always felt like it takes me a lot longer to learn the lessons than others. As an artist I have so much more to give, so any more stores to tell and write and sing and produce. I hope that these stories can help set people free, to uplift the spirit and bring us closer to God and the story that is meant for each of us.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I just love to show my friends the best of LA! There is so much to share. Here are a few special spots I would love to bring them to see. Gjusta for breakfast in venice on Subset right next to the legendary Golds Gym so you can marvel at the bodybuilders while imbibing artisanal coffee and overindulging in pastry and house smoked fish. Then hop in your sweet ride and zoom up the coat to Malibu for some beach time in the wilds of the coastline at Leo Carrillo Beach. Be sure to pop into Sunlife Organics for a Million Dollar smoothie at Point Dume. After your swooning with the silvery waves and gorgeous blues. Then relax into the evening at Yhe Sunset just before Zuma Beach. Stop in at Trancas Market for tomorrow’s supplies and slip down the dark PCH until you see the lights at Malibu Pier. Perhaps tomorrow a little trip to Ojai for a bit of the high life and some horseback riding and excellent farm to table fare do yourself a favor and stay the night. You can’t help but enjoy the beauty of this little town tucked away in the hills. at sunrise the next morning, you should head down to the waters edge and watch some surfers or join in if you brought your board. Pop over to Patagonia’‘s headquarters in Ventura and grab a chorizo burrito at Moofish Cafe, then slide down the road before traffic to get to Hollywood for the true tourist stop and the Hollywood sign if you must. Early is better as the crazy factor is a bit lower, then head to Griffith park for a hike to the observatory. Philip on the periodic table or enjoy a meteor shower in the spectacular planetarium. There’s so much great food around this location from every single part of the world. First grab a coffee from Maru coffee. Be sure to get the cream top. It’s legendary people wait online for this thing for half an hour. Then grab lunch at Ginger grass always a solid choice. If you stay long enough you could pop across the street for one of the weirdest bars in LA. Refilled go back over to Griffith Park and find more of the magic check out the Gene Autry Museum. It’s a good time for any western film, fanatic or take a ride on the 100-year-old carousel. It really picks up some speed you’ll have a good time! One great thing about being in the most ethnically diverse city in the United States, is that you have so much to choose from visiting each part of town like it’s a new country hang out, pop in and make some friends. This city is for everyone! I wouldn’t want to map out your whole time here because you need to discover Los Angeles. There’s so much art everywhere. You look so much music so many different people to meet. I’ll just make you another short list of restaurants you should not miss. Redondo Beach captain kids for seafood.
Elephantè Santa Monica
Forma Venice
Fia Steak – Santa Monica
Kodō – oysters – downtown
Don Cucuo’s – studio city – fish tacos
Kanpai – Sushi – near Loyola on Lincoln
Irori- Sushi – Marina del rey
Casa Del Mar- champaign and cake by the ocean
Oh so many more!!!

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?
I want to shout out to Maestra Monserrat Caballe, Joanne Zajac, Milton Katsellas and the Beverly Hills Playhouse, Opera in the Ozarks, the Walton Family, Douglas Sumi, Vance Powell, Mitch Dane, Dane Bryant, Jenette Jurczyk, Joseph Libson, Bay Z Bagshaw, Jennifer Waterhouse Pietro,, West Point Military Academy, Master Marlon Sims, Henry Carr, Scarlet Rivera, Eduardo Del Signore, Federico Ramos, Maria Callas, Sir Walter Berry, Chihsuan Yang, MB Gordy, Richard Gibbs, Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock,, Dolly Parton, Paul Simon, Carlton ‘Santa’ Davis, Scott Healey, Jed Smith, Dan Ferguson, Peter Freyberger, Rick Rubin, Charlie Ferguson, Bob Bernstein composers Breakfast Club, Vienna Stadts Oper, LA Opera, The Metropolitan Opera, Concourso Caballe, The Navajo Nation.

Website: www.soniacountry.com

Instagram: @sonia.country

Linkedin: https://www.instagram.com/sonia.country/?hl=en

Twitter: https://x.com/soniakazarova/status/1711214616666374447?s=46&t=RgzCZmiuUHjk3AZzAX5t_A

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadassDivaWarrior?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Youtube: http://youtube.com/@soniacountry

Other: Spotify artist page: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0kes7IxvSCh3klGM9NTmwz?si=HOVy02rlSx-ak0oGlRoVbA Spotify album link: https://spotify.link/WpcTHWOPRDb

Image Credits
Image 1& 2 the legendary :Jim Coke Images 3,4, 5 hair by Andrew Velàsquez, makeup & Image Capture: Nelly Reccia Image on horseback : Paula Chrichton