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Emerging from the vibrant streets of Santiago, Chile, Vanessa Estrada now immerses herself in Melbourne’s rich and diverse music scene. A songwriter, singer, percussionist, and composer, she has spent over a decade captivating audiences at renowned festivals with her various projects, including The National Multicultural Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Newstead Live, and most recently, the 2025 National Folk Festival.

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In July 2025, Vanessa released her debut EP ¿Dónde están mis montañas? to a sold-out audience — an intimate and honest collection of five Latin indie-folk songs exploring themes of migration, loneliness, love, and injustice. Drawing inspiration from artists like Violeta Parra, her music is rooted in nature, healing, and connection, while carving out her own distinctive sound.

Vanessa leads a powerhouse six-piece band made up of some of Melbourne’s finest Latin musicians — a high-energy ensemble that takes audiences on a journey through South America, from the soul of Chile to the heights of the Andes and into the Caribbean. Blending cumbia rhythms with traditional Andean instruments, their music crosses borders, merging folkloric styles with contemporary sounds, rock, and touches of psychedelia.

She is also a member of Queen of Hearts, a vibrant collective of Latin American and Australian women artists who draw inspiration from mariachi traditions, blending them with original contemporary sounds.

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Vanessa’s work has been supported by initiatives like Multicultural Arts Victoria’s Ahead of the Curve and her commitment to cultural diversity and innovation earned her a 2022 Music Victoria Award nomination. More than just a performance, Vanessa Estrada’s live show is a cultural experience — a powerful, heartfelt act that leaves audiences wanting more.