Christian Pop artist, Chayah Miranda (pronounced “kai-yah”)Â has spent much of her life around the gospel music of her church and the jazz influences of her mother and grandmother, both singers. The song in her heart runs through her blood and is the driving force of everything she does. Beginning at a young age, Chayah has shared her love of singing at church, school talent shows, and with the help of her beloved vocal teacher, Sakai, (whom she met after a meeting with the great Narada Michael Walden at the age of 15) at public fairs all over the country.
She began developing her talent at songwriting during high school with the help of Eric Gonzaga, a Bay Area producer whom she was introduced to after a performance at the annual Fiesta Filipina Fair in San Francisco. Together, they spent years developing Chayah’s sound and style while also working together to write songs for other local artists before she continued her musical education at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.
During her third year at Berklee, Chayah met another student whom she had seen at her church, Boston Temple Seventh-Day Adventist Church, who convinced her to join Bible study sessions on Saturday afternoons. At this point in her life, church was simply something she attended out of familiarity, not because she believed in God’s power of healing and love. As she attended these meetings week after week, it became clearer that God was, and always would be, around to see her through her life and to work His miracles in mysterious ways. This understanding became paramount during the next great trial of Chayah Miranda’s life as she explains in her own words:
“Later on that year, I found myself completely sick and bedridden. My whole body was in so much pain, I couldn’t move. I could barely walk to the bathroom in my apartment. I remember lying in my bed and reading this book, “Steps to Christ.â€â€¦ I wanted so badly for the pain to go away and to be healthy and strong again. I had been in bed sick for about a month and didn’t tell anyone. As I read the book, there was a passage that touched my heart and soul. It said that all I had to do was surrender to God and ask Him to come into my life and heal me… I prayed and asked God to heal me. I felt his presence there right beside me, and I knew that He had heard my prayer and that I was going to be ok… Maybe it was His way of shaking me and waking me up so that I would turn to Him in my pain. It was the best decision I have ever made in my life.“
So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
I grew up in San Bruno which is a suburb in Northern California near San Francisco. Growing up, I was always around musicians and music. My whole family is very musical so naturally my mom would always have my siblings and I sing at church and at school. As I continued to perform solo at church and at school, I really found that singing was my passion, that I absolutely loved performing and writing my own songs. Discovering my passion for music, for writing, recording and especially performing are all the things that made me decide to become an artist and I’ve constantly been working to achieve my goals as an artist.
How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
The inspiration behind the title of my album “No Other Way” is actually one of the songs I wrote and recorded for my album. As I was thinking about what the title of the album should be, I knew I wanted it to be a statement and to represent what the whole albums message is. I prayed about it and decided to make “No Other Way” the title of my album because it definitely is a statement that is encouraging to everyone and it really tells the message of my album, that there is No Other Way to really live a life full of love, joy, happiness, peace and purpose than to have God at the center of your life. These are all things that we all long for in life and these are the gifts that God can give to us completely when we realize that we need to have Him in our lives daily. I’ve learned that there is No Other Way to really live my life than to walk with God and to follow Him everyday of my life.
 What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Music has value, it’s technically intellectual property and even if it is only a three minute song, the artist\band and the record label spent a lot of time, effort and money to create that song for the people. It comes down to respecting the art and to valuing it. Online sharing like streaming music from let’s say your website or bandcamp page is fine because it is authorized by the artist or label to do so. But as for illegal downloading it is basically stealing something that you have not paid for. So out of respect for the art and artist, I hope people will be honest and purchase the music. When people purchase the music, it shows the artist that they believe and support their music. As an artist myself, I’ve invested so much of my own money, time and effort into my album and it breaks my heart when people break the law and steal my music or any other artists music. If people want to continue to enjoy the music we make for them, then I believe that they also should show their love, support and respect to the artists by purchasing the albums and music.
For my music, I have had in the past my own free online downloads to help promote my music. I’ve authorized those free downloads for only for a limited and specific time as a gift to my fans for supporting my music on my bandcamp page. I always want to let my fans know that I appreciate them very much so that ‘s my gift to them!
 Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
I’d say for local artists or bands to really learn as much as you can about the music “business” and start networking and going to industry functions and events. Build relationships with everyone you meet because you honestly never know how things will turn out later on. Also make sure you have a really solid team that you’re working with who will help you guide you and get you and your band out there on radio and  will help promote your music.
  Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Of course I have made many mistakes in my performances and over the years. I learned from them and everyday I work at perfecting my stage performance so those mistakes won’t happen again.
 Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
I do perform a lot throughout Northern and Southern California and we’re getting ready to perform throughout the United States and even overseas. I’m performing with my band we always have such an amazing time outside of rehearsing and performing. Whenever we are just hanging out having lunch and really just getting to know each other that’s really the moments I enjoy and love about being out there with my band. It’s a family affair, and I love every moment I spend with them.
  Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
My inspiration really comes from my personal experiences. I always write whatever it is that I’m going through. Each song is a story and an experience that has happened in my life. I always write down any thoughts or concepts that may just pop up in my mind or again what I’m going through. If there’s a melody in my head, I’ll also make sure to record it on my phone and then I’ll sit down and take a day or two to write the whole song.
Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Yes I do have a website and I am on social media. You can directly contact me at my official website: “http://www.chayahmiranda.com/and your audience can also join my mailing list on my website.
My Social Media handles are:
Facebook: @chayahmirandamusic
Twitter: @chayahmusic
Instagram: @chayahmusic
Youtube: @chayahmirandamusicSnapchat: @chayahmiranda
 What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
 I don’t think they are embarrassing songs because I love them! I’ve got songs from the early 2000’s like N’sync, Back Street Boys, and 98 Degrees. I was always a huge fan of all the boy bands! I still am! Still love their music!
 If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Wow that would be amazing! I would definitely invest the money into my music. I don’t think I’d take the year off, in fact I’d probably continue to promote my album and even do a really huge tour around the world and would continue to perform. I’d also make sure to help those in third world countries such as Asia, the Philippines, India, Africa, men, women and children who don’t have anything. I’d also buy my parents a house and donate money to my church and to several ministries. I would also take a vacation to Greece and Italy! That would be nice!
Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
I’ve been writing songs and have been working on getting ready to launch my foundation very soon. I’m really excited about it and how it will really help so many children in our communities with their dreams to learn music. As for studio upgrades, no upgrades as of yet. Maybe after my tour I’ll probably look into doing that.
 How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Social media has definitely been the way that has worked for me to promote my music. It’s so far reaching globally that I’m able to promote my music to so many millions of people in other countries worldwide with just the touch of a button!
 If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
The artists that I’d love to perform with would be, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and of course Michael Jackson! As for where, I’d love to perform at the Grammy’s and at the Oscars. I think I would cry if this ever happened! They have each been such inspirations to me as a person and as an artist. Their music has really touched my life and it would be such an honor to perform with them! That would be an absolute dream come true!
 So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
 I’m also working on my fashion line and my book. I’ve always loved fashion, and I’m really excited to share my own designs with women all over the world. My book is also something I’m working on. I’ll be sharing my personal experiences and stories from my journey in how I became an artist and the person I am today.
 If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
I’d be teaching music. I love working with children and teaching them how to play the piano and how to sing. I love helping children realize their talents, their dreams and their potential. It’s something I really love to do.
 Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
I do actually remember buying my very first album! It was a cassette tape of Mariah Carey’s MTV Unplugged show. I actually still have it! When I bought it, I couldn’t believe that I had that whole show in my hands because I used to sit by my radio with my cassette tape ready to record all my favorite songs. I remember sitting by the radio for hours just waiting for my favorite songs to come on the air. I didn’t know back then that you could purchase music so I was over the moon when I bought my first album! And ever since then, I’ve always bought music that I love. I still buy CDs to this day. I love having the actual album in my hands because I love reading the lyrics and reading the credits of all the people that were involved in making the album. Plus all the cool pictures!
  How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
It’s about time management and staying organized. I keep a calendar of everything that is happening in my personal life and with my music. I make my to-do lists and just try to stay on top of everything each day. I think knowing what needs to be done for the next day always helps me. So I take time each night to write down all the things that I’m going to do the next day. Planning my day is key for how I’ve kept everything in balance and how I stay ahead in my music and personal life.
 What should fans look forward to in 2016?
I’ll be continuing to promote my album throughout the year in the United States and even abroad! I’ll be performing as well and will be on the road very soon! I’m so excited about that so definitely be on the lookout! I can’t wait to meet all my fans when I get out on the road!
