AS the title of her debut single says, Zuwena “Z U W E N A” James-Bernard let go and let God. The 30-year-old Christian singer/songwriter, who is now an award-winning artiste, says she is both living her dream and fulfilling her purpose.

James-Bernard was born and raised in Pt Fortin and told WMN she has always been “very artsy."

“...And very creative, but yet still a bit shy.”

She always loved to sing, but during her time at the Point Fortin RC Primary School, she said she never let others know about this hidden talent.

“It was only in secondary school (Iere High School) around form three where I started doing performances with my friends, with the choir, going to Sanfest…(singing) at school programmes for Christmas, Father’s Day, etc.”

This, she said, was the beginning of her “coming out of (her) shell.”

While at that school, she also entered a competition called Scholarship Competition of Talented Teens in 2012.

“I was actually encouraged, mainly by my geography teacher, Mr Declan Hive. Although he taught geography, he was the person who really encouraged the arts at Iere High School.”

[caption id="attachment_1096113" align="alignnone" width="683"] Christian singer/songwriter Zuwena "Z U W E N A" James-Bernard is an award-winning artiste and says she is both living her dream and fulfilling her purpose. - Photo courtesy Soaring High Productions[/caption]

She eventually won the competition and got the opportunity to participate in the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA).

“That competition (WCOPA) really opened my eyes (and affirmed) I wanted to and would be pursuing music as a recording artiste. I thought, ‘What ever field of music I could hold on to and I know I can do well, that is what I will do.'”

She participated in the R&B and gospel categories, getting the opportunity to attend music workshops, meet producers and record-label officials. She earned silver in R&B and bronze in gospel.

[caption id="attachment_1096114" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Christian singer/songwriter Zuwena "Z U W E N A" James-Bernard won two awards at the 2024 Gospel Music Awards. - Photo courtesy BIGHPHOTOS (Harold S. Garner)[/caption]

“I went with a little demo, they gave feedback and it really helped you understand the music industry more. I knew it was something I really, really wanted to do.”

She took that passion and used it through academia, doing a degree in music at the State University of New York, Plattsburgh, from 2014-2018.

She said it was a “great experience” that changed her outlook on music forever.

“I always knew music to be beautiful and fun, but when you are studying it, you realise it’s such a science. It was tougher than I thought (it would be) and I appreciated that experience.”

When it came to her songwriting abilities, she said it helped her understand “where the harmonies should go, the chord progression, the mood, the emotions I want to create…There are so many different jobs in music – not just singing and songwriting. There’s composing, there’s vocal a