We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassandra Pinataro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassandra, how do you think about risk?
I love taking risks. Between trying new musical styles, branching out with instrumentation, making a new genre, or pushing boundaries with my lyrics, I think that risk taking is the best way to really make art. If you’re not pushing yourself, it’s hard to say everything you have inside.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I created a new genre I like to call Popera. It’s very different than the typical Josh Groban or Celine Dion style classical pop though! I’m singing samples of opera arias and working them in to pop tracks so they sound like Top 40 Pop songs! Part of my goal is bringing opera back to a mainstream audience, but the other part of my goal is to make something innovative and fun.

I’ve received a healthy amount of love and backlash from the experimental musicians and classical purists, but I think that means I’m doing something right! Art is meant to move people and create conversation, and I think my new song, “Queen of Every Night,” inspired by the Queen of the Night’s Aria, “Der Holle Rache” from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, has done exactly that.

If there’s one thing I want people to take away from this first song, it’s that more is on the way! I’ve been in the studio and can’t wait to share what I’ve been working on.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I were to bring my bestie to ATL, I’d take her to the aquarium, Ponce City Market, and definitely to some of my favorite restaurants like St. Cecilia’s! I also love going to Polaris and ogling over the beautiful evening skyline.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shoutout my college vocal professor, Lisa Saffer. She always saw my love and curiosity for music and pushed me to hone in on my vocal technique so I could have flexibility in my vocal styles. With her help and teaching, I feel more confident in trying new vocal styles and techniques without fearing how it may affect my voice.

Website: www.cassandraofficialmusic.com

Instagram: Www.instagram.com/youknowcassandra

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-pinataro-822377189?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Twitter: Www.twitter.com/uknowcassandra

Facebook: Www.facebook.com/youknowcassandra

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@youknowcassandra?si=G-nBa2Da89-UNYdS

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/012GVhn6cIHM1fB6vyl3R3?si=Jo0AfgW2TOmeSBlrnW3t9w

Image Credits
All photos in color are taken by Chelsea Smith. The black and white photo was taken by Jacqueline George.

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