Chaos to Resilience: Tzera’s Musical Journey from Puerto Rico to Wisconsin

Using music to document a difficult journey from the chaos of Puerto Rico, Tzera is finding her resilience in Madison, Wisconsin

Chaos can lead to resilience. And for Tzera, her difficult journey from Puerto Rico to Wisconsin is shared through song. It gives her strength. 

Tzera weathered the storm, quite literally, as a hurricane left her with little more than chaos and destruction. But she found solace while writing music based on hope, perseverance, and resilience.

“I remember the days,” Tzera reminisced. “It was as if the universe whispered to me through the howling winds, urging me to find my beauty amidst the wreckage.”

Tzera joined the Max Ink Radio show alongside Meri Rose Ekberg, the director of Make Music Madison. And while discussing the June 21st event, Ekberg introduced Tzera, a resident musician with the organization. She was also a first-time performer during Make Music Madison in 2023 and considered it a platform to tell her story while being on stage to play her songs. She’s looking forward to performing again this year. 

“You are a beacon of light,” Ekberg says. “Spreading joy through your music.”

“Music has been my anchor,” Tzera shares with the Max Ink audience . “It has given me the courage to stand tall, to embrace my journey with open arms.”

Listen to the full interview, hear another song, and learn where to catch a Tzera show this summer. Find the podcast here.

Show hosts Rokker, Jimmy K, and Teri Barr learn she’s only lived in Madison, Wisconsin for a little more than two years, and though she didn’t plan to stay, she now considers it her home. 

“This happens to a lot of people,” Jimmy K says, laughing. 

Rokker asks what she would like to play live for the listeners.

Tzera strums a few chords on her guitar, “I have a couple of songs in mind,” she says, her voice soft yet full of confidence. “One in English, and one in Spanish. Each one a piece of my heart.”

Tzera’s melodies fill the air, each note a symphony of resilience and hope. Her songs speak of love and loss, dreams chased and battles won.

“And what’s next for you?” Barr asks.

Tzera smiles, and shares plans to release her music to the world. 

“There’s so much more to explore,” she says “And I can’t wait to see where this part of the journey takes me.”

It’s a testament to the power of music. Transcending barriers and uniting souls. And for Tzera, it’s a celebration of resilience.