Meet Daniella Mass

We were lucky to catch up with Daniella Mass recently and have shared our conversation below.

Daniella, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Finding my purpose wasn’t a sudden moment but rather a slow and steady unfolding that began in childhood. I grew up in Barranquilla, Colombia, in a modest home filled with music, dogs, and love. From a very early age, I felt deeply connected to sound, but not in the way most people did. Music wasn’t just something I loved, it was my light, my path. The language that brought meaning to my existence when nothing else did. As a child, I lived in my own quiet world. I didn’t have many friends until I was about eight years old. Not because I didn’t want to connect, but because I couldn’t understand the world around me unless music was involved. Spoken words often felt like noise. But melodies? They felt like home. I connected easily with animals, because the way they moved and responded to rhythm and energy made more sense to me than human interaction.

That sensitivity came not just from my personality but from something much deeper. You see, I was born with a congenital heart condition and underwent open-heart surgery at just six months old. My doctors gave me a 50/50 chance of survival. I did survive but I grew up knowing my breath, my body, and my heart were fragile and something to be protected. Ironically, singing, which requires so much of the breath and body, became my greatest form of healing. Singing strengthen my lungs and helped me feel stronger. I feel my singing is meant to carry me forward and help me live my life.

So at eight years old, I auditioned for a children’s choir and for the first time, I wasn’t alone with my music. I was surrounded by harmonies, by other voices, by the pure joy of singing together. I felt like the world had finally opened its arms and said, “Welcome”. That moment was the beginning of everything. I realized that music wasn’t just a safe space, singing was my home. And slowly singing became my purpose.

These days I’m a coloratura soprano, a composer, a producer, and a vocal coach. Whether I’m on stage, writing in the studio, or guiding a student toward their breakthrough, I always return to the same truth: singing saved me, both physically and spiritually. And now, it’s my honor to use that same voice to bring light, connection, and healing to others.

So, how did I find my purpose? By overcoming the greatest challenge in my life, my defective heart. By developing my breath, appreciating sound, and listening to silence, I now have a heart that beat the odds. My voice keeps growing stronger with every passing day and I am living my purpose. I’m grateful every day to be able to live it.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My name is Daniella Mass and I’m a classically trained coloratura soprano originally from Barranquilla, Colombia. My voice spans over four octaves and I can perform in seven languages including Spanish, English, and Japanese. I’ve had the honor of collaborating with artists like José Carreras and Andrea Bocelli while also performing on many stages across the world. My greatest exposure comes from my time on ‘America’s Got Talent’ where I progressed to the semifinals and had the opportunity to sing live from Radio City Music Hall reaching millions of viewers. Beyond the spotlight, I live for creating music that tells a moving and emotional story and leaving lasting impression. I’m also credited with the creation of a genre called ‘Liri-Pop’ which fuses the discipline and emotional depth of Classical Vocal Technique (Bel Canto) with the accessibility and intimacy of Pop Music. ‘Liri-Pop’ allows me to express universal stories in a unique voice, one that blends elegance, passion, and reinvention.

Currently, my focus is on composing original music for my collaborative projects while also serving as Music Composer and Advisor for the Tampa City Ballet. This has allowed me to write original scores that are performed live with choreography, lighting, and movement. Working with Tampa City Ballet has been one of the most fulfilling ways I get to tell stories, mixing music with dynamic living art.

That said, I feel most alive and excited when performing on stage. The intimate connection with my audience and the energetic exchange through music bring me immense joy. People have shared with me that they’ve connected with my performances in a way they’ve never experienced before. In fact a dear friend coined the term, ‘Aural Luminescence’ to describe what is happening. My friend believes when experiencing my vocal skill and delivery in person, a unique phenomenon occurs, one in which my voice transmits “light” through sound. This, in turn, creates a sense of euphoria and emotional awakening in the listener or audience. Whether performing in concert halls or serving as a cantor in sacred settings, my voice naturally lends itself to the sublime and spiritual. Connecting with my audience in such a profound way is something I truly thrive on.

My ‘Daniella Mass’ brand is rooted in compassion, focusing on being animal friendly, and encouraging a plant based diet to reduce our impact both on animals and the environment. I’m the person who’ll stop traffic to rescue a turtle crossing the road. The brand is also very feminine and celebrates love in all its forms. The idea being that my music represents a love inclusive world for all living things.

As for recent milestones in my life and career, I’m very proud to share that, as of August 1st, I am officially an U.S. citizen. My journey toward citizenship began in 2014 and I’m so proud to be a part of this beautiful country! Later this fall, I’ll be releasing new original songs as well as covers of timeless classics that I find especially moving. I’m also thrilled about the premiere of new original scores for the Tampa City Ballet which I co-composed with my talented friend Céline Paolini, debuting during October’s ballet performance.

Lastly, I look forward to having another local concert here in Tampa this fall. I still can’t share the details yet, but I’ll be sure to post on my social media along with sending information to my subscriber email updates

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

As I look back on my career, I see three qualities have been especially impactful on my journey: an unyielding focus, a natural artistic curiosity, and a deep love for storytelling.

When I say ‘Unyielding focus’ you may think it’s something inherited or that comes naturally, but nothing could be further from the truth. My focus is a skill I’ve cultivated over the years, greatly influenced by the people around me. For example, both my father and vocal teacher had that quality about them. As such, I developed my focus and it’s proven to be one of my most important factors for my success as a singer. I’ve learned that staying rooted in my intention, even when outcomes feel uncertain, keeps my fire of artistry alive. For anyone starting out, I would recommend to stay true to yourself and focus intently on your work ahead. Don’t be afraid of setbacks, use them to deepen your emotional range and your connection to your art. And to help myself stay focused, I surround myself with people who are also fiercely committed to their art. Seeing others remain true to their purpose helps me when I’m doubting or falling behind.

Next is my ‘Artistic curiosity’, which has kept me evolving. I love to constantly explore new genres, learn languages, and consume books. For example, I’m currently composing neoclassical music for the ballet while also producing a Japanese song and simultaneously working on an original track that experiments with synth-pop textures. All of this comes from keeping myself open and looking to learn more from everything around me. The more open I am to learning, the more authentic and expansive my voice becomes. I would recommend to keep a mindset that we’re students of everything. I try to keep evolving by listening to a wide music selection and strive to keep stepping outside my comfort zone often.

Lastly, ‘Good storytelling’ is what grounds me. Since childhood, I’ve read books and comics while also journeying and writing down my thoughts as often as possible. This helps me understand the world around me, and ultimately, offer something back through music. Whether I’m performing, composing, or coaching, I always return to the question, “What story am I telling, and why does it matter?”. I would encourage others to focus on communicating their essence in a way that is true to their inner voice. Technical skill is important when composing a song, but the heart of my vocal artistry lies in my ability to connect and move people with my voice.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, absolutely, I would love to partner or collaborate with other artists and producers! I’m always excited to explore musical projects that take me outside of my comfort zone, so I wholeheartedly encourage people to reach out with any ideas or creative visions they may have.

In addition, I’d love to build relationships with brands that reflect my values. For example, I am a vegan and I love to drive awareness to vegan options since that’s something that isn’t readily available in my native land of Colombia. I also love animals and advocate for their rights whenever I can. Another important aspect in my life is people’s ability to love freely and I’m a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, I’ve never had the chance to perform at a PRIDE event and that’s something I would love to be able to do soon.

For anyone interested in collaborating, the easiest way to get in touch is by contacting my team directly at [email protected] or visiting www.daniellamass.com to fill out the contact form. I’m always excited to create something meaningful together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.daniellamass.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellamass/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaniellaMass
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniella-mass-17747091/
• Twitter: @daniellamass
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Danielatommy

Image Credits

Emilio Yidi, Michael Sheehan