By Jackie Doming
They say the best things come in small packages – and singer-songwriter Tiffany Ponce is no exception to this rule. The R&B powerhouse shook the stage earlier this year for the release of her debut album, Only the Beginning. Since then, she has taken the Winnipeg music scene by storm.
Ponce performed her highly anticipated six-song EP for two sold-out CD release shows at SPIN Restaurant & Martini Bar last April and May. Gerard Magsino (SoULBOi) produced all six original tracks.
At the release shows, Ponce sang a set of original tracks and one cover song. The crowd favourite was her original tune Tell Me I Can’t, described by her as an inspiring anthem.
“It’s about those instances where anyone’s told you that you can’t do something, or you’re not good enough,” said Ponce.
Music has always been Ponce’s passion. Beginning in high school, she participated in theatrical productions and choreographed hip-hop dance numbers for shows. She graduated from the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Manitoba, and later studied voice, dance, and acting at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria, British Columbia. Ponce continues to work as a part-time nurse while balancing her budding music career.
Although Ponce valued her time spent at the university, her passion for music always remained top of mind. “I have no regrets that I went to university and got that degree. It’s something I know I will always have and value, but I’ll continue to pursue what I love to the absolute fullest.”
Ponce’s musical flavour is inspired by “the old school sounds of the late ’80s and ’90s.” She lists New Edition, Janet Jackson, TLC, Aaliyah and Tamia as some of her biggest influences.
Since the release of her debut album, Ponce has performed at a variety of events around Winnipeg. Some of her recent vocal appearances include Rhythms for Women at Le Garage Café (June 13), Sagip Kababayan at the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (Aug. 24), the 1st Annual Manitoba Filipino Street Festival at Garden City Shopping Centre (Aug. 25) and the Labour of Love Block Party on Bannatyne (Sept. 2). She opened for Filipino superstar Bamboo at the Burton Cummings Theatre (Aug. 4) and Juno Award winner Moka Only at Pulse Nightclub (Oct. 24). This past year, she also performed in Vancouver and Toronto for Canadian Music Week.
Next February, Ponce will be performing at Urban Rhapsody, a hip-hop charity concert raising funds for The Children’s Wish Foundation. Ponce will be debuting a new original song called Hopeful, which she co-wrote with Studio 11’s Jason Gordon for the Threads of Hope project and its worthy cause.
“I am really happy, grateful, and excited for what’s to come,” said Ponce. “I truly believe that God has put all of this in my heart for a reason.”
Ponce’s album Only the Beginning is available for download on iTunes. Hard copies are available at Music Trader (97 Osborne St.) and Cris D’ Anne Hair Salon (302 St. Anne’s Rd.). They can also be ordered online at cdbaby.com. For more information on Tiffany Ponce’s upcoming events, visit her official website at www.tiffanyponce.com.
