Melissa Pereira
Even in the busiest lounge bar or noisiest theatre, there’s pin drop silence as Melissa Pereira prepares to perform. The vibes are pregnant with expectation because everyone knows that her voice will transport them to diverse places. Whether she’s singing or letting her fingers dance over the ivories, there’s an explosive resonance overlaid by a quiet confidence that embraces Melissa. She lays her heart bare… and lets her love for soul shine through!
These nuances echo through every song she sings – whether it’s a cover, one of her many originals as a soloist or with a choir. She’s sung with Soul Sounds and Camerati. And even as a musician and singer in the A-Team, Phatgroove, Echostix and Unscripted, or in theatre – the most recent being The Workshop Players’ production of The Greatest Shows – she simply owns that space unconditionally.
An Associate of Trinity College London, as well as a singer, songwriter and musician, Melissa has held fast to her classical roots. She branched out into contemporary music only to collect an armful of accolades at TNL Onstage; Colombo Music Festival; Sri Lanka Festival of Music, Dance and Speech; the 1st Lanna International Choir Competition in Thailand; and the 4th World Choir Games in China.
As Melissa exudes that quiet confidence, it’s hard to imagine that she suffers from stage fright and doesn’t like confined spaces or large crowds. She’s not flashy or flamboyant and is quite the minimalist – she’ll find herself a quiet space and sit unobtrusively until it’s time to step into the limelight. Melissa describes herself as “awkward and quirky” but also “headstrong and stubborn.”
Though her day job is in real estate coordination and marketing, she’s also a tenacious activist for equal opportunity and backs #HeForShe unconditionally. Someday, she intends to roam the planet to experience unique cultures, perform with inspirational artistes and engage in adrenaline charged experiences. And skydiving is a priority!
My first local music cover was Unmadini, which I enjoyed making – there’s a lot to learn from local music
My favourite way to relax is in a cold environment with a cup of hot coffee or cocoa and light music in the background
Q: What’s keeping you busy these days?
A: A couple of projects involving local music, upcoming concerts, new compositions and fresh collaborations.
Q: From classical and choral, to pop and jazz… what made you try them out?
A: When I was a child, my mum exposed me to classical music; my parents and school to choral; and my dad, as well as some amazing musicians and mentors I met, to pop and jazz.
Q: What’s your favourite genre?
A: It has to be soul, which I discovered at 13. I was experimenting with different genres for a competition and the connection was immediate.
Q: Are there changes you have to make when singing with bands and choirs?
A: With a choir, it’s about singing your part and syncing with others. And while it’s similar to a band, there’s more room for improvisation.
Q: How has it been with the A-Team?
A: It’s been amazing, musically inspiring and a great space to learn.
Q: What’s hot and what’s not about Sri Lanka’s entertainment industry?
A: What’s hot is the explosion of local creative talent; and what’s not is that visual appeal and upbeat rhythms take priority.
Q: Why aren’t you delving into local music?
A: My first local music cover was Unmadini, which I enjoyed making – there’s a lot to learn from local music.
Q: Did the pianist or the singer come first?
A: The pianist came first. I was eight years old when I started playing the piano – and I only began to love singing at 13.
Q: What’s been your biggest break?
A: In 2012, winning the solo category when I competed in TNL Onstage and performed an original for the first time to an audience. And right after that, I sang and won at Spirit – the Music Competition of Senses and Soul organised by the Colombo Music Festival – with the worst case of nerves ever!
Such experiences gave me the confidence to perform my originals to the public.
Q: Tell us about the challenges you face when performing...
A: Overcoming stage fright every time I perform.
Q: What’s the one thing you’d like to do to further your career?
A: I’d like to take my performance skills a notch higher.
Q: Is there an instrument you wish you could play?
A: I’d love to be able to play the violin because it’s emotionally expressive.
Q: If you could sing a duet with any singers in the world, who would they be?
A: Alicia Keys and H.E.R.
Q: What’s spending time with your sister like?
A: Rare but great. We are very close but have different personalities. She’s my adviser, rock and ‘goto person’ for lots of things.
Q: Three words your mother would use to describe you...
A: This is what she says: “Obedient (sometimes not so obedient), talented and sometimes daring.”
Q: What three characteristics would you look for in Mr Right?
A: Empathy, kindness and trustworthiness.
Q: And your ideal date night is...
A: A simple dinner that’s possibly home cooked and lots of quality conversation.
Q: Your favourite R&R is…
A: My favourite way to relax is in a cold environment with a cup of hot coffee or cocoa and light music in the background.
Q: If someone peeked into your handbag, what would they find? A: I carry a backpack; it contains my purse, headset, sanitiser, shawl, phone charger and laptop.
Q: What’s life likely to be beyond 50 for Melissa Pereira?
A: I’d like a simple life in a cottage surrounded by nature and loved ones, and doing a job that I find productive.