Meet Flor Bromley, Bilingual Family Music Performer
Listening to live music from all cultural backgrounds is such a special experience to enjoy with your kids. Not only does music teach your kids to appreciate the arts, it can enable them to learn new musical style as well as expand their knowledge of different cultures.
In a few weeks (September 23rd at 3pm), families can enjoy this special experience with “Fiesta!,” a free bilingual concert at the Ossining Public Library. Created by bilingual singer/songwriter and Westchester mom, Flor Bromley, the concert will be an immersive multicultural celebration where audiences of all ages will have the opportunity to enjoy global rhythms through dance, storytelling, and music. Read on to learn more about Flor and the exciting “Fiesta” concert.
Westchester Family: Tell us about your background as a performer.
Flor Bromley: I started out in the performance business back in my home in Peru. I went to college and majored in drama and education. However, I always knew I wanted to sing. In fact, I learned how to play guitar and write songs when I was 14.
After college, I worked in TV and teaching artist work where I would use music as a tool to engage the youth. But that wasn’t enough music for me. That’s when I decided to move to NYC and study musical theatre, which I was able to do with a scholarship. I auditioned and got to perform for different theatre companies, and eventually started to perform for kids and families and do music for kids. This is the best decision I’ve ever made!
Westchester Family: How did you specifically get into performing for families/kids?
Flor Bromley: I was always full of energy so performing for children was in my veins. I also worked as a teaching artist where I would go into classrooms and create musical plays and write songs with kids. It was so much fun! However, it wasn’t until I performed a concert for kids with a company I was working with that I realized that being on that stage, bringing energy, singing, performing for families, and sharing music was everything I always wanted to do. So I made a career move, recorded my first album, and started booking concerts for kids.
Westchester Family: “Fiesta” sounds like such an exciting event for families! What can people expect?
Flor Bromley: When people come to my shows they should expect the unexpected. I created “Fiesta” as a way for families to discover music from Latin America. Together, we “travel” to the places where rhythm was born. Through the music, I teach them about the culture, the food, and the popular dances of that country. My background in education has taught me how to keep kids engaged. During the show, I use storytelling, beats, imagery, laughter, lots of energy, bubbles, and sometimes puppets to keep them entertained.
The concerts offer families something new and fun. Parents will enjoy our concert as a global experience. This isn’t music that sounds like typical kids’ music. Our musicians are all professional artists that will bring their talents to the table. Since we wanted this concert to be extra special, we will have a pre-show where families will be introduced to the instruments and get hands-on music playing involvement. After the show, families will leave with a workbook to enhance the experience.
Westchester Family: What other projects are you working on?
Flor Bromley: I just finished recording two albums for kids. Well, it’s the same album in two different languages. “Aventuras” was released in May and “Adventure Day” this August. This album takes listeners on a magical musical journey through the perspective of a child’s day. This includes ordinary moments made extraordinary. The album, produced by Grammy® winners Lucy Kalantari and Dean Jones, features a variety of musical genres ranging from merengue, ska, country, and alternative rock. Both of my kids (ages 8 and 4 years old) also sing on the album.
Westchester Family: What do you like to do in Westchester when you’re not working?
Flor Bromley: There are so many amazing things to do in Westchester. In fact, that is one of the main reasons I moved here. From hiking to museums, it’s a perfect combination of both worlds: nature and city. One of my favorite things to do, as a family of four, is to go for a walk at the Croton Landing, get Peruvian food in Ossining, and eat ice-cream at The Blue Pig.
Westchester Family: Do you have anything else to add?
Flor Bromley: “Fiesta,” a Bilingual Concert Experience that is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program. This is a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by ArtsWestchester. My goal is to bring a message of diversity to the community. I also want to provide educational tools to families.
