We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Natrasin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
NatraSin, 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?
Many things have happened to lead me onto the path and purpose I have today. It all started when I was a little girl. From a young age, I have always been in love with performing arts. Being from New York, specifically growing up in The Bronx, creativity is always surrounding me. As I got older, I began to take steps into the performing arts world. Singing during Sunday mass was my first experience singing in front of a crowd. In elementary school I joined the recording club where we chose songs we wanted to cover, recorded it and posted it on our schools youtube page. In high school is where I really began to spread my wings with performing arts! I joined Choir and Drama club! Those two high school clubs really helped me develop not only my creativity, but also my personality and showed me what my purpose for life truly is. At Lehman College in The Bronx, I was able to develop my creativity even more and acquired my bachelors degree in Multimedia Performing Arts with a concentration in Theatre. After college, I went on to pursue my love for the performing arts and am now a proud singer and teacher. So, with all of that being said, this is how I would sum up my purpose in life.
My purpose is to connect with people and inspire people through the power of song, music and the art of theater. I want to help connect people with their own potential, using the power of the arts as a tool of expression, growth and empowerment. I believe performing arts has the power to transform lives for the better and my purpose is to teach and inspire others to discover and develop their own stories and personalities using the arts. I want my music and teachings to connect with people and be relatable. Performing arts has truly changed my life for the better. I owe everything to it, I know I wouldn’t be half the woman I am without it.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a 25 year old Puerto Rican and Black woman who was born and raised in The Bronx. I am a singer/songwriter/music producer and elementary school theatre teacher! My musical style is a mix of R&B, Pop, Hip Hop and Jazz. I am an experimentalist and am willing to try any sound! Some famous singers and artist who inspire me are Frank Sinatra, The Weeknd, Ella Fitzgerald, Tanerelle, Sabrina Claudio, Aurora and Billie Eilish.
In my freshman in College. I remember being in the recording room at the Lehman College Radio Station. I was hanging out with my friend Jesus Pena and we were trying to come up with an artist name for me. I wasn’t sure what I wanted my artist name to be but after a while of thinking he looked at me with a smile on his face and said “NatraSin”! I looked at him with a confused face but then he explained to me that its Sinatra but chopped. In that moment I knew that was my artist name! One of my biggest music inspirations is Frank Sinatra, so to have something like that as my artist name is truly an honor!! Since then I have spent the last few years creating music, learning more about Performing Arts and connecting with the creatives that I was surrounded by! It wasn’t until 2024 when I started to really put myself out there as a creative.
Since early 2024 I have been featuring and headlining in all different kinds of music shows all throughout the boroughs. Some of my biggest ventures for 2024 was are working with Sparenyc to open up for the rapper Trev Mulah, Featuring with nyc’s biggest open mics, three of them being “SpokenWordzNyc”, Mike Geffners “Inspired Word” and “Certified Industries” monthly music shows. I was closely working with the Roaring 20’s Party Group as a event promotor, I was a event planner for Adrian Read’s, aka A.R, album release party for the album “Cartas Para Ti”, and made my Off Broadway debut at the iconic Triad Theater in NYC on New Years Eve. I also released my first single called “God’s Design” in June of 2024 as well as my second single “Only for the Night” in October of 2024. For my song “God’s Design” I wrote the lyrics and created the instrumental. For “Only for the Night” I wrote the lyrics as well but had a producer/artist Adam Harvey help me create my instrumental for this song. Both of these songs can be found on all streaming platforms!
Now after having such a big first year in music for 2024, I am happy to share some amazing things I have lined up for 2025. In 2025 will be releasing my first album titled “Gemini” which will have a total of 9 songs. I will also be returning to the iconic Triad theatre twice in 2025, once in April and another time in August! I will also be in a co-host rotation this year for Mike Geffer’s “Inspired Word” open mic series as well as co-hosting for SpokenWordz newest extension “SpokenSoundz” starting in March of 2025. Lastly, I will be hosting a very big summer jam rooftop party in June of 2025, everyone near and far are welcomed to join and party with me and the rest of my NYC collective for a night of performances, networking and fun!
I have so much more lined up but those I’ll keep as surprises to sprinkle in throughout the year 🙂
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on my journey so far, three qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey were the following, Emotional Intelligence/Expression, Dedication/Discipline, Self – Confidence/communication.
Starting off with Emotional intelligence and expression, it was extremely important for me to understand who I was as a person and how I am able to properly deal with everyday life as it comes to me. I’ve come to learn that I am an extroverted person who enjoys expressing herself as much as possible! My friends and family can tell you that I am very expressive and most times animated when talking or telling stories, which helps me with my performing and teaching. I am also an elementary school theatre teacher so my students are always entertained with my personality and with my lessons. For someone, specifically creatives and artist, emotional intelligence and expression are extremely important things to know and work on. Performing artists are at their core communicators, and their ability to tap into, express, and connect with emotions is essential. Whether through acting, dancing, or music, emotional intelligence allows artists to bring authenticity to their performances. Understanding and managing their own emotions, as well as recognizing the emotions of others like your audience and your collaborators, helps build deeper connections. Developing your empathy, self-awareness, emotional regulation, self confidence and the ability to read an audience or collaborate with fellow performers in key to growth as a creative.
Next we have Dedication/Discipline. Once I found out what I truly wanted to be in life, I knew that wasn’t something that would come easy. I knew, like all things in life, I had to work hard and dedicate my time and energy into it. Creating music is one of the most amazing feelings and experiences that I have had in my life. It is also one of the more challenging things as well. There are days where I don’t feel like creating or making anything which is not an unusual feeling, however, when there are deadlines that need to be met those feelings and thoughts of not wanting to create need to be pushed aside. Sometimes we may not have our mind or heart in something we’re doing because of outside factors, but it’s important to remember why we do what we do especially as creatives. During times and feelings like that I remember why create music and why it is important for me to continue to push myself forward. It’s important to continuously learn about your craft and push yourself to doing more and going outside the box! We are not sheep, we are not meant to conform to norms. We are meant to break barriers and to continue to create!
Lastly, there is Self – Confidence and Communication. For all of 2024 I have had to amazing privilege to be able to meet and interact with amazing performing artist, managers and educators. Even though they were all in different positions, all of these people had some things in common. They were all confident and communicative. To be in an position where you have to interact with others, it is so important to have the confidence in yourself to advertise yourself as well as have the communication skills to be able to properly articulate yourself to your audience and the people around you. By doing this, it will open so many doors for you to meet new people that can help you or want to join your journey. Collaboration for a creative is key, who you know and who wants to help you can make a big difference in your career and journey. But it all starts with your confidence and your communication!
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents have done and still do for me is being supportive! For my entire life my parents have been the biggest support system when it came to raising me, coming to my shows and events and just being the people I go to to talk about everything. I am grateful for my parents because they raised me to be a strong, confident, loving and discipled young woman. A woman who follows her dreams no matter how big or small they are. A woman who is hard working, respectful and respected. I remember when I first told them that I wanted to be a singer. Not once did they tell me that I needed to find a better career or that they didn’t want me doing it. They, in fact, said the opposite. They told me to go for it, to learn all I could about it so that I can strive for greatness and succeed in all of the ventures I take. They encouraged me to put myself out there no matter what came my way. For every mile stone I had, they were there every step of the way, cheering me on. From my first performance in my high schools musical all the way to my Off Broadway Debut at the Triad Theatre in NYC, they were there. If it wasn’t for the love and support my parents gave me, I probably wouldn’t be a singer or even think about pursuing performing arts. The support they have given me mentally, physically and emotionally is something that I thank God and them for everyday. I thank God for giving such wonderful parents who would do anything for me. I thank my parents for being such a big support system to me. The love they show me every day and the way they raised me, shaped me into who I am today and I truly appreciate it. I love you mom and dad, thank you for all the support you have given to me throughout the years.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/natra.sin?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=d56eef06-9956-4df6-8a84-107d10f946e7
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natra_sin20/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-cordero-ab4795196/
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Nick Tan
Gabrielle Sierra
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