Merlinda Espinosa
Merlinda Espinosa, born and raised in Fresno, Ca, has been singing and performing since she was a young child, entertaining crowds with her soulful, soothing and chill inducing voice. With her unique styling and versatile vocal ability, Merlinda, performs music from throughout the Americas, including genres from Mexican traditional folk music, Rancheras, Nuevo Canto, boleros/ ballads, Country, r&b, Motown, blues and jazz.
Merlinda began her musical studies at the age of 11, taking lessons in both voice and guitar with “2007 NEA National Heritage fellowship award winner“ and Co-Founder of “ El Teatro Campesino”, Agustin Lira. Throughout the years, on several occasions, Merlinda, has joined duo Agustin Lira and Patricia Wells- Solórzano, “Grupo Alma,” performing at Cultural Events, Protests and Marches for Immigrant Rights, Peace, freedom and Social Justice, as well as, colleges and universities state wide.
Continuing to Excel in music, Merlinda began to study Chicano Theater with Lira at the age of 15. In 2001 she performed in her first production with Teatro de la Tierra, “Esperanza and Luz: A Tale of Two Immigrant Women,” as, Luz, a young refugee from El Salvador in search of a better life. With each year to come, she would begin to take on stronger leading roles, giving her much experience in dazzling audiences with her commanding stage presence.
As a graduate of University High School, Merlinda achieved high standings in the statewide “Emerging Young Artist Awards Competition”, in 2004. Locally, as a solo singer/guitarist, Merlinda has become a veteran of Fresno’s Rogue Performance Festival since 2002, also appearing, upon personal invitation, in Fresno’s Tamejave Cultural Festivals as well as other festivals throughout the valley.
In 2010, Merlinda was joined by drummer, Steve Warner of Down Word and lead guitarist Ricardo Guevera of Fields of Prey, opening at the Tower Theater for Bob Marley’s Wailing Wailers and performing all her original music. Currently, Merlinda performs regularly at venues in Fresno’s Tower District and Downtown areas also making appearances throughout the valley with other local musicians continuing to write and add new music to her repertoire.
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