“I think it is important to contribute to the sharing of knowledge and skills, especially also to target groups that normally do not get around to developing through regular ways,” says musician, singer and music teacher with Surinamese roots Vanessa Veldhuis (43). That is also what the organization VVFLEX, of which she is a member and which is especially committed to vulnerable and underprivileged target groups, stands for.“
VFLEX is an acronym that stands for Variety, Versatility and Flexibility in art, culture and people. Based on this vision, the cultural-social organization focuses on talent development, growth, professionalization and making talents and emerging artists visible. Veldhuis would like to do another great project in Suriname. In the past she did the project Urban Groove on the Move in collaboration with others. As part of that project, the Hiphop school FAYA was founded. The breakdance event Battle of the Year Caricom was also organized with an international exchange between groups from different countries and providing the participation of the winning group (Myztikalz) at the world finals in Germany. “Unfortunately, things didn’t quite work out during these projects, but in themselves they were good concepts and initiatives with potential. If I ever get the chance again get and have the ability, I would certainly, where necessary and desirable, want to pick it up again.” VVFLEX was in 2007. According to Veldhuis, it is difference from then, that one is now fully engaged in the educational field of talent development, especially music classes, and no longer with (international) exchange projects and events. But that may come again someday. “It was struggling for a while, because we were and are completely self- sufficient, but we’re still here and currently a nice stability has developed with in advance my lesson offerings and growth in my student body.” VVFLEX will expand this year with more tools and disciplines. There will be in addition to piano and drum lessons also guitar, bass guitar, vocal/vocal training, DJ and beatmaking lessons, which are are going to be taught by other teachers. Veldhuis is also associated with the Art Loca foundation in Almere as a music teacher. “I have been working at Art Loca for almost twelve years, from the beginning when they were still in their infancy were standing and doing only theater. Together with my partner Marlon, I started and expanded the music classes there. After two years we moved to a big building and everything grew explosively. Marlon died when we were just there, and last October the co-founder and founder’s partner also passed away, so we really share loves and sufferings.”
Focus on own career: Veldhuis was born in the Netherlands to Surinamese parents.
“Both are purebred Srananmans. My father came to the Netherlands in 1975 and my motherhad been there before, since 1968. They met in 1977 on a trip and in 1979 I came.” Veldhuis also creates and produces music. In her younger years, she was influenced by different types of music styles, such as gospel, soul, R&B, jazz, hip- hop, reggae, Latin, Afrobeats, kaseko, kawina (her traditional music) and other different types of Caribbean music styles. At a young age, she sang in the youth choir at church where she also learned to play the piano. In addition to music, she also discovered her acting and dancing talents. During her social career, she met many vulnerable talented individuals who all asked for support and help. This inspired her to start her own foundation, VVFLEX. After being active for a long time as a backing vocalist and musician for other artists, she is now focusing on her own career. She operates under the stage name Vanessa Marcia. “That’s my first name and second baptismal name,” she said. After her first releases, she got to perform a few times, but shortly thereafter came the corona pandemic and Vanessa Marcia had no releases since. This year she is another song, her first after two years. It is a reggae song produced by the producer duo David Oron and Erik Ritfeld and features singer Marc Embrace.
The musician does not want to be seen become like a reggae singer. “I also make other styles: Afrobeats, Caribbean styles, but all with soul, R&B, funk or jazz influences and fusions.”
She has also done a few projects by other producers in R&B, hip-hop, and dance styles, among others. One example is the song Spot Niet as a campaign song in collaboration with the KWF Kankerbestrijding, about stopping swearing with the word cancer. “This is a Dutch-language mellow jazzy R&B song. I also have a dance number in garage style, produced by Symon Jason. With him I’ve done more projects.” Whether she sees a future in music? “To tell you honestly, yes. Otherwise, I can always fall back on music lessons. The requests keep pouring in.” Vanessa Marcia is also considering her own backing band. In 2010, she started her own multi-ethnic women’s band “Ladiesjam. “Most likely I will use my ladies’ band as a band to accompany my songs,” she said. Her fervent desire as a singer is to known worldwide. “I want to reach as much as possible as an artist and reach as many listeners as possible,” he said. Veldhuis has performed as a backing vocalist at several major festivals such as Reggae Geel and Smile Reggae Festival in Belgium, Reggae Jam in Germany, One Love Festival UK, Reggae Lake and Zwarte Cross Festival in the Netherlands and Ruhr Festival in Germany. Jamaican reggae artists Luciano, Lutan Fyah, Ras Midas and Triston Palma, Nedra, Mo Ali (Sudanese reggae artist) are some artists with whom she has performed.
“There have been many great moments, I have met many beautiful and interesting people, but one of the things that touches me is the love and gratitude from people in the audience, who you get during or after performances. Sometimes people also want to touch or shake my hand during shows, or people would ask for me after a show even though I just the backing. Such moments stay with me. I like To be able to give, share, touch through music and always say, ‘It’s a blessing to be blessed with a blessing that blesses others,”
