Biodiversity is a well known concept to YUNGA. Did you know that diversity relates to music as well? In a rapidly evolving and diverse world, being comfortable with differences, breaking barriers, looking for a dialogue throughout cultures, rhythms, languages, music styles and instruments are all important and this is exactly what Debi Nova does through her vibrant and passionate music.

In a genre-defying blend, her debut album 'Luna Nueva' involves a colorful hybrid of lyrics and sounds that anyone can enjoy. In spite of her young age, Debi is a bilingual singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who is already a massive star in her native Costa Rica, counting in her curriculum six Grammy-nominated projects, a number one dance single 'One Rhythm' which reached the first position in Latin America and on the U.S. dance charts, plus collaborations with the likes of Black Eyed Peas, Sean Paul, Sergio Mendes, Britney Spears and Ricky Martin, just to name a few. Born in the capital city of San José, Debi began playing the piano at the age four, continuing throughout her teens and enriching her musical talents with the guitar, bass and timbales. Debi has been performing professionally and writing music since she was 14. In seven years of non-stop writing and recording, she also took courses at Boston's Berklee College of Music, LA Music Academy in Pasadena and the University of California (UCLA). If that was not enough, Debi also loves to surf, is an amazing dancer and has even been seen on a soccer field.

However, what really makes Debi special is that she is really passionate and concerned about environmental and social issues. For example, she has been actively involved in youth and gender related social campaigns, and she is a UNiTE Youth Champion for the UN WOMEN’s Say NO – UNiTE to End Violence Against Women Campaign. Under her new role as YUNGA Ambassador, Debi will support the involvement of children and young people in education and action campaigns on topics such as biodiversity, forests, hunger, nutrition and oceans. 

Debi on ending violence against women and girls - Say NO - UNiTE to End Violence Against Women Campaign:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=apA3tE8PbsM&feature=youtu.be (English)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l5XmipTkCA (Spanish)

Debi explains how her music reflects her language and world view - MTV interview, 2010:

www.mtv.com/videos/interview/debi-nova/514704/push-debi-nova.jhtml

Debi talks five things about herself – MTV PUSH Artist of the Week, 2010:

www.mtv.com/videos/interview/debi-nova/488605/interview-debi-nova.jhtml#id=1611126