Charisa the ViolinDiva

I’m more excited than words can say about the big things happening in my life, and I invite you to journey with me in the next chapter in soul . . .
Welcome to the Evolution.

Some extraordinary stories in Soul music begin in the most ordinary of places. I (Charisa, a.k.a. the ViolinDiva) began my musical journey in a little public school program at the ripened age of four, and after much scratching and rasping, I learned how to pull a decent sound out of this foreign wood box, and so began a lifelong love-affair with music. Born and raised in Maryland, all of my earliest musical influences - which range from traditional gospel to DC’s gogo, and le hot jazz to classical symphonica - have all blended together to create a innovative and jazz-infused take on contemporary soul. It has been said of Lauryn Hill's Miseducation that in that studio, it was like the music was just bursting forth from her, as if some creative fire had been inside of her all the time, just dying to pour out. That's how I feel about my music - like I've searched a very long time high and low, and I've finally found my true voice, here in soul music. I’ve been blessed enough to collaborate to date with some of the most illustrious roster of artists across musical borders on some of the most prestigious stages (including with Wynton Marsalis, Ashanti, Claudia Acuna, Common, Doc Severinson, Keyshia Cole, Quincy Jones and Mos Def – to name a few).

Finally, I have my TWO (that’s right, I said TWO) first albums simultaneously in production. (Woo-hoo!) ‘Stories’ in the soul genre and ‘This Journey Home’ in the gospel genre are both set to release in the beginning of 2011. There are also many different shows and showcases I’m working on around town, so all the Diva-Lovas should keep checking in to see what’s coming up next.