Yilian Cañizarez uses music as a tool for translating emotion and connecting with her audience. Her new single, “Vamos a Florecer,” functions as a reminder that resilience can bring renewal. Beyond the music, Cañizarez is dedicated to supporting several different movements, including ones that fight against racism, work to expand children’s exposure to art, and support the ocean. She has been able to work as an ambassador for Ville de Lausanne — Campaign Against Racism in Switzerland, support her family’s organization Palacios House of Arts, and serve as a “Voice for the Ocean” for UN World Oceans Day. To learn more about Yilian Cañizarez and her new music, read on.

Where are you based?
I am based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

What inspired you to start making music?
Since I was a child, I was fortunate that my mother took me to many concerts of different genres. That early contact with art—and especially with music—awakened in me the desire to sing, play, and transmit emotion on stage.

Congratulations on your new single “Vamos a Florecer”! What is the story behind this song?
“Vamos a Florecer” is a song that came to me at a moment when I really needed to find light again. I was going through a challenging period and writing it became a form of healing — a reminder that, no matter how hard things get, there’s always a seed inside us ready to bloom. The song carries that message of resilience and renewal: that we can all choose to blossom, wherever we are, and transform pain into beauty.

Nature is a key theme throughout the music video for “Vamos a Florecer”. In the video, we watch a woman grow from nature as the lyrics tell a similar story. How do this song and video resonate with your artistic identity?
This video was inspired by a dream I had, where I saw myself as a seed fighting against the force of gravity to break through the earth and fulfill its destiny. After that dream, I never looked at a flower the same way again – I now see not only its beauty but also its immense strength and resilience.

My friend, the artist Leo PG, who directed the video, beautifully translated that dream into a poetic visual story. It resonates deeply with me because it comes from my subconscious, from my essence, and I wanted to share that feeling with my audience.

What inspires the sound behind your music?
My sound is deeply inspired by Cuba, Africa, and femininity. Cuba gave me rhythm, soul, and that sense of joy that runs through everything I do. Africa is where the roots of all music live, and I always feel its ancestral pulse in my work. And femininity brings sensitivity, intuition, and strength — it is a big part of how I express myself as an artist.

At the same time, my years of classical training in Europe have shaped my ear and technique, so my music naturally blends all those worlds – Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz improvisation, and the elegance of classical music. I like to say that my sound is a meeting place of cultures and emotions, united by the violin and the voice.

You have been making music for a while. How has your process grown and changed over time?
I’m very curious and I don’t like repeating myself — I get bored easily! Every new project is a chance to step outside my comfort zone, to learn something new, and to express my vision of the world at that particular moment through music.

When I began using my voice alongside the violin, it was a true turning point for me. Singing while playing opened a completely new space of freedom and expression, it allowed me to connect with audiences and with myself in a much more intimate way. Since then, I’ve continued exploring how these two instruments, my voice and my violin, can converse and reflect the different parts of who I am.

What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Love, unity, light, resilience, and hope.

You served as an ambassador for Ville de Lausanne - Campaign Against Racism in Switzerland. Can you tell us more about this campaign and how you were involved?
As a Swiss citizen of Cuban origin and a Black woman, it was a great honor to serve as spokesperson for such an important cause. Lausanne is my home, and I believe it’s essential to break down stereotypes—not only here but globally. I wanted to represent Switzerland’s openness and diversity, while also giving visibility to those affected by racism. Using my platform to raise awareness and amplify those voices felt both meaningful and necessary.

Lausanne is a city that I love deeply, and being part of this campaign allowed me to stand for values that are also at the heart of my music: connection, empathy, and the celebration of our differences. I participated in public messages, events, and artistic initiatives that aimed to inspire dialogue and reflection — because I truly believe that change begins when we start to listen to one another.

Switzerland isn’t the first-place people think of when they think of racism. What is it like there? How would you like the world to tackle racism on a global level?
As in most places, racism exists in Switzerland. In recent years, fear has grown — an irrational fear often fueled by global events. I believe education and awareness are essential. We must open our hearts to difference, not as a danger but as a form of richness. Compassion and empathy are the strongest antidotes to racism. When you can truly put yourself in another person’s place, there is no room for hate.

You are also a huge supporter when it comes to promoting access to the arts and celebrating young Cuban artists. You served as an ambassador for Fondo de Arte Joven de Cuba (Fund of Young Arts of Cuba) and were involved with Palacios House of Arts, both of which are organizations dedicated to those causes. Can you tell us about these organizations and the work you were able to do through them?
Giving back to younger generations is very important to me because I’ve received so much throughout my journey. Palacios House of Arts is my family’s organization, founded by my mother, who’s a wonderful educator, and my brother, who is also a musician. They are now based in Louisiana, where they do fantastic work with local children and young people to expand access to culture. I support them however I can — by sharing ideas, offering workshops, and giving masterclasses.

For the Fondo de Arte Joven de Cuba, I had the honor of participating in its official launch and working directly with young Cuban musicians, helping them both artistically and in developing their careers.

Back in 2021 you were able to be a part of UN World Oceans Day - “Voice of the Ocean”, an initiative dedicated to protecting and raising awareness around the marine environment. How were you involved? Why was this a cause you wanted to be a part of?
I come from an island, and water has always been a central element in my life. Beyond its essential role in nature, water also holds deep spiritual meaning in Afro-Cuban culture. One of the organizers of UN World Oceans Day discovered my project Aguas, created with Omar Sosa, and invited me to take part.

For this special occasion I composed “Yemaya”, a tribute to the West African Goddess of the Sea. I also create a music video with that projected the Yoruba Goddess of the sea as a healing force that will unite humanity. It felt very natural to join this initiative. It was a great honor to lend my voice and music to such a beautiful and meaningful cause.

What are some changes you hope to see in the music industry relating to inclusivity and representation?
I hope to see greater inclusion and representation of women in the music industry — especially as project leaders, composers, and creative decision-makers. We deserve more visibility and real opportunities to share our voices and visions. My dream is that our presence stops being something exceptional or anecdotal, and simply becomes the norm, something completely natural and expected.

What advice do you have for young girls who want to follow in your footsteps?
Believe in yourself, work hard, never stop trying, and never stop dreaming.

Are there any upcoming projects you are currently working on that we should be on the lookout for?
Yes, my new album Vitamina Y will be released in February 2026. It’s a love letter to everyone who has supported my journey — a tribute to love, mutual support, and the beauty of human connection. The album celebrates the collective strength that has allowed me to grow as a woman, an artist, and a sensitive human being. I’m very excited to share it with the world.

It has been a crazy few years, and we expect at least four more. How have you been staying positive?
I meditate every morning and do a lot of sports. Music and friends are also my refuge…

What is your motto in life?
I will quote one of my favorite poets: Rumi “Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.”

To learn more about Yilian Cañizarez, please check out the links below:
https://www.yiliancanizares.com
Facebook
YouTube
Instagram: @yiliancanizarez
Spotify
TikTok: @yiliancanizarez
Palacios House of Arts

Yilian Cañizarez Reminds Us that Resilience Brings Renewal