Soraya

Soraya, whose real name was Soraya Raquel Lamilla Cuevas, was an artist who left a profound mark on music, especially in the Latin music scene. Born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, in 1969, her Colombian roots and her Lebanese Christian heritage shaped a unique perspective. From a very young age, music was a constant presence in her life; at age five, she heard her uncle play the tiple, a stringed instrument similar to the guitar, and shortly thereafter her parents bought her her first guitar. She taught herself to play and went on to master the classical violin, even performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City with the city’s Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.

Her musical career took off in 1996 after signing with Polygram Records/Island Records. She released her first album, *En esta noche / On Nights Like This*, in Spanish and English, receiving critical acclaim and opening doors to tours across the United States, Latin America, and Europe. She shared the stage as a guest performer with artists such as Natalie Merchant, Michael Bolton, and Alanis Morissette. Songs like “Suddenly/De Repente” reached number one on the Billboard Latin Pop charts. Her second album, *Torre de marfil / Wall of Smiles*, released in late 1997, solidified her international presence.