What was it like producing your first album?

Javier:  Challenging, as are all of these projects.  But in challenge lies the spark that keeps our passion fueled to push on.  Nothing that is worth doing comes easy.  We are thankful to our God for the opportunity to be able to share our music with others not only from the stage, but also from our album as well.

Karla:  It was a great experience filled with repeated takes, long hours and a few stressful moments.  But it was all worth it to have something to share with our audiences when we perform for them.  It was originally supposed to be only a demo.  But the Lord had something else in mind and by the suggestion of our producer, Joey Davis, we turned it into our first album.

German:  We were planning on recording six tracks for a demo.  We recorded one piano track and Joey suggested that we add a few extra tracks to the demo and we’d have a full CD.  We had an impromptu group meeting and decided to go for it.  I don’t think we realized at the time that it would take up months of our lives, and it certainly did not always bring out the best in us.  We definitely learned a valuable lesson in working with each other.  I think it has made us stronger friends.

What is a favorite song from the album and what makes it special to you?

Karla:  One of my favorites is At the River.  First, because of its wonderful promise of meeting our Lord and our loved ones at the river of life in Heaven.  And also because our harmonies are so close during the chorus that it makes for a powerful piece in its simplicity.

Javier: Va Pensiero, which in Italian means Fly, O thought.  This selection is taken from Nabucco, an opera written by Verdi on the diaspora.  In this work, this particular moment is actually a choral composition, but over the years the tune and the text have become so popular that it has been arranged for solo voice and now adapted for the trio.  Because of its nationalistic nuance, the piece has been hailed Italy's freedom hymn.  Today, it symbolizes the liberty we have to think, to speak and to proclaim freedom to all.  

German:  My favorite is You’ll Never Walk Alone.  The song has such an incredible message.  I think about it on two different levels.  When I sing this piece on stage with Bella Voce, I know that I will never walk alone because of the great friends that I have been blessed with.  I only need to look to my right.  But even more moving than that, I know that I can get through anything because my Heavenly Father is always beside me.  It reminds me of the poem “Footprints in the Sand.”  God does not walk ahead or behind me; He is always at my side.

Bella Voce has toured California and throughout the East Coast.  What has been the most fulfilling part of touring?

Javier:  The people we meet.  Traveling can become hard in the midst of busy schedules, which we all have.  The audiences we perform in front of are the reason we do what we do.  There is nothing more fulfilling than to see a countenance that has been transformed because of the music we presented.  We see it constantly and we give God the glory because we know we're only empty vessels that He can fill and use as we sing.  To watch people be lifted to heaven and be empowered by God's spirit to keep on trekking through life is the reason we do what we do and is so fulfilling.

Karla:  I would say the time that we’ve shared growing closer as a group and as friends. And also getting to meet wonderful people wherever we've gone and seeing old friends.  It's a wonderful thing to get out of your backyard and share our message with those all over the country.

German:  I think touring reminds us that the world is bigger than just ourselves.  It is incredible to spend a moment with someone that you would never have met but for the tour.  To think that we have perhaps made a difference in their day, their week or maybe even their life is very inspiring.  God has led us to some incredible places to do His work.  One trip we drove all the way to Florida on a Friday and had to drive all the way back to Baltimore on Sunday to do a concert on Saturday.  We were all tired and stressed, but the second we started singing it was evident why God had brought us to that place.  He leads and we follow.

What is one lesson learned that you can share with others who are thinking of forming a musical group?

German:  Everyone has different opinions.  Forming a music group is a lot like a marriage.  You have to look outside yourself and respect others’ opinions.  But the most important lesson for marriage is true in a music group, keep God in the center and pray together.  If you do those two things, there is no way you will not be successful.  Success, in our group, has always been defined by the people we inspire and not the money we make.

Javier:  Be patient and learn to lean on God.  The temptation of money, fame, and power come with the world of music.  It can be very easy to get so caught up in this world that one can forget the giver of the gift.  God's purposes are higher than our plans, and with prayer and perseverance, any endeavor, which is dedicated to God and for His glory first, will always be blessed in unexpected ways in the end.  Never try to be great.  On the contrary, let God be great in you.  

Karla:  To make sure that you're doing it for all the right reasons and to make music to honor God with it.  I also believe it’s important that you're forming a group with people of the same mind and goals so that the group bonds, and the ministry will grow instead of the alternative.

What are your future goals?

Karla:  To sing as long as the Lord will allow me and to hopefully do that with this group.  It's one thing to share your talents and ministry as a soloist, but a whole different and more amazing experience to share it with friends who can share in that experience and ministry with you.

German:  I’m going to be the odd man out.  I want to be a lawyer.  As far as music goes, I hope to be a part of this group for a long time.  I hope we continue to inspire congregations and individuals to pursue music as a means of spreading God’s word.

Javier:  To reach the hearts of those who do not sit in the church pews.  To take our music beyond the four walls of the church and share it with the world is our hope and prayer.  There are so many who live darkness and without hope and we were put on this earth to reach those who are not in the light.  In other words, it is our duty to be Christ to them.  In God's good timing our goal is to press on and share the message of God's love and soon return with all who would hear and listen.

When we get to heaven, what is something you are looking forward to (musically or otherwise)?

Javier: Taking moments to just rest in the presence of the almighty and just listen to Him.  I think as musicians we're also very curious as to what God's singing voice sounds like?  Even the highest and most genius of works composed here on earth could not even begin to give us an idea of what that will be like.  We can't wait for that day!

Karla:  Singing with our Lord in that Heavenly choir!

German:  Praising God with my family.  My family is all over the world, and on the rare times that we are able to be together we always say what a great day it will be that we will never have to be separated again. 

Note:  To learn more about Bella Voce, or to order their CD, click here.