Meet Amber Buenaventura | Session Singer, Worship Leader, and Voice & Piano Instructor

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

Hi Amber, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
In a world that is divided in so many ways, nothing brings people together the way music does. Music can convey the emotions and feelings we share as human beings no matter where we are in the world or how far in our lives we’ve come. Without even speaking the same language, there is shared ground and understanding when two different people listen to one piece of music that moves them. Some people live their lives never finding something that lights their hearts on fire or really moves them. Singing has been that one thing for me. It has been the vehicle that brought me into many different music-making spaces and communities of like-minded people who love making music too. Nothing in my life has been more rewarding than creating and the process leading up to the final masterpiece. This is why I chose to pursue a creative career in studio session singing and private voice and piano instruction. I may sound cliche to say “I have been singing my entire life for as long as I can remember”, but this feels so true for me. I have years of experience singing pop, musical theatre, a cappella, worship, R&B, classical, and vocal jazz under my belt. I am pursuing a career as a Studio Session Singer as well as having my own business for Private Voice and Piano instruction. The world is like a big puzzle and I am like a small puzzle purposely fitted into it. This is where my purpose lies as I create music with my voice and pass the torch to the next generation through private teaching. I absolutely love being able to foster quality in my work whether it be songwriting, singing in the studio, or teaching a student to reach a high note they weren’t able to before! I love what I get to do because it’s fun, rewarding, and allows people to connect with each other on a deeper level. Many people do not think music is necessary, but music is integrated into who we are as human beings. It is in our DNA and I just want to bring quality into any music-making I am a part of!

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.
With singing, every voice is unique in its own way. Each person’s voice has its own character, its own timbre. What sets me apart is not only the individuality of my voice but also the way in which I tell a story with my voice. As a singer, I am also a storyteller and my responsibility is to convey the emotions of the music/lyrics. This sets me apart from others because singing requires a certain level of communication in the voice which comes from utilizing certain vocal techniques in my singing. My style in combination with my technique makes my work different from others. Looking back at my life, I can see how each small decision to keep singing/performing has helped me get to where I am professionally today, It has not been easy since no one in my family has any idea how to have a career in music. I have to overcome the challenges of “imposter syndrome” and be my #1 advocate. I am still at the beginning of building my business where I offer musical services of session work or voice/piano lessons, but I am learning so much along the way. I have learned to always bring my best work no matter how big or small the project may be. I strive for excellence in everything I do and aim to bring high-quality work all the time. I love people and hearing their stories. I always aim to treat people with respect which is why I think I love music so much because it connects us all on a deeper level of understanding.

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.
There are so many great hang-out spots in LA depending on what you’re in the mood for. I would recommend hitting up any beach and having a picnic. K-Town in LA has many great AYCE KBBQ spots and dessert places. If you like shaved ice, there is a place called Sul & Beans and I would recommend ordering the Early Grey flavored one! The Americana in Glendale is a nice place to stroll and hang out too. There are nice restaurants and places to shop there. The Century City mall is also a great place to walk around and find good places to eat and get dessert. I love going out during the day and staying in at night, so I would definitely recommend hitting up these hangout spots.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes! I would love to shoutout my family for always believing in me and supporting me, especially in music. No one that I know of in my family is in the music industry or does music as a career. So, in a way, I am paving a new path for myself and for my family by pursuing a career in music. I would also love to shoutout a mentor figure in my life who loves the Lord, and is a professional Session Singer and Coach in the industry. She features in the Disney movie, Encanto, and works with many artists such as Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Christina Aguilera, and more! Leyla Hoyle Guerrero holds a special place in my heart because she saw potential in me when I had no idea I had any. I met her as a young 11-year-old girl at Shepherd Church wanting to sing on the Praise Team, and she has taught me so many things about singing and also about my walk with Jesus. I love her heart and how she continues to encourage me and push me to chase my dreams. Thank you, Leyla!

Instagram: @officiallyambuena

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/amberbuenaventura

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0CuU1gbqBdLr4EhM9U9JGi?si=e7XKscuDRNGSC3Pu7zyHgA