Jul 01, 2008
Ana Cristina Alvarez remembers the first time she sang for an audience when she mimicked Princess Aurora's melodious voice while watching Disney's "Sleeping Beauty."
"My grandmother couldn't believe that such a big voice was coming out of such a little four year old girl," Alvarez said.
The first Hispanic to ever sing the national anthem at a presidential inauguration, Alvarez is now majoring in journalism at FIU's School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Ana Cristina Alvarez, 23, born and raised in Miami by Cuban parents, is a recording artist whose talent includes a five octave vocal range.
Alvarez's first public performance was for a school event when she was five.
"I just became obsessed with singing," Alvarez said. "I would rehearse after school and record my own demos. Everybody has a hobby, and mine was singing."
Alvarez grew up singing in competitions, Spanish-language musicals, and at 13 started writing her own music and playing the piano. She learned guitar at 17.
"My parents are not stage parents by any means. They never pushed me into singing. I was just so in love with it that they always supported me," Alvarez said.
At 15, Alvarez signed with Sony International's Sony Discos to record her first Spanish-language record, "Ana Cristina," featuring the single, "A un Paso de mi Amor."
"When I heard my first single on the radio I couldn't believe it was me. I always knew I wanted to be a recording artist, I just didn't think it would happen so soon," Alvarez said.
Since then, she has gone from singing in competitions on TV shows like "Sabado Gigante" and theme songs for soap operas like Telemundo's "Vale Todo," to singing the 2006 Univision Sports World Cup Germany theme, "You can change the world."
Alvarez was chosen to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the 55th Presidential Inauguration on January 20, 2005. She sang in front of President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and other guests like the Prince of Spain, becoming the first Hispanic to ever sing at a presidential inauguration.
"It was a beautiful experience," Alvarez said. "I felt so blessed to be there. I felt like I was doing something for my country."
Alvarez has since sung for the president two more times: in October 2006 when she was invited by Emilio Estefan to sing at a White House event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and again during her April 2007 graduation from Miami-Dade College at the commencement ceremony.
Today, Alvarez is focused on working on her new album of pop and R&B club music.
Alvarez is also completing her degree in journalism, which she says is not easy while also working on her album. "It takes a lot of energy, planning and emphasis," she said.
Her mother Teresa knows that it is not easy for Alvarez, but is confident that she will succeed.
"Ana Cristina is a good, happy person and has high standards. She is very optimistic and has a very good attitude about life. She is strong and doesn't give up for anything."
She has succeeded as a recording artist but getting an education was never out of her plans. Her parents also influenced her decision to attend school.
"I am a mechanical engineer, and I know how important an education is. So we encouraged her to get one," said her father Rene.
"I always wanted to have an education and not have people say that I have missed on something in my life," Alvarez said.
Now a senior, Alvarez will graduate in the spring of 2009.
"I've done so many interviews that I wanted to be on the other side. That's why I chose journalism. I love to write and I feel passionate about this school," Alvarez said.