CHALINA SMIT

VOCALIST, PERCUSSIONIST & SONGWRITER

BIO

Chalina Smit is a Dutch singer, percussionist and composer, known for her rare ability to sing while playing percussion, creating a powerful fusion of rhythm and voice.

Rooted in Latin jazz, salsa and modern jazz, she developed her sound during her studies at the ArtEZ Conservatory, where she explored the boundaries between voice and instrument. During this time, she studied with musicians including Rolf Delfos, Fay Claassen, and Sanna van Vliet, shaping her into a versatile performer who approaches her voice with the freedom and creativity of an instrumentalist.

After her studies at ArtEZ, Chalina expanded her musical language by taking up percussion, studying with musicians including Gerardo Rosales, André Groen, Yannick van ter Beek and Steven Brezet. This development led her to combine percussion and voice into a distinctive and rhythm-driven performance style.

As the founder of her projects Chalina and CHACHACHALINA, she has released multiple records, including the EP 'Dreamland' (2020) and the albums 'Mira Antes de Saltar' (2021) and 'El Reflejo' (2023), with her upcoming release 'Mujeres Fuertes' set for 28th of May 2026 in PAARD.

She has toured with Joel Sarakula in Europe and performed with Young Gun Silver Fox at venues including Paradiso. She has also been active in projects such as Zulemax, I Am Lotus and Club Venus, and has performed at festivals including Zwarte Cross, Grachtenfestival, Dias Latinos, Jazz in de gracht, Summertime festival and Amersfoort World Jazz Festival.

With a strong rhythmic identity and a dynamic stage presence, she moves seamlessly between roles as a bandleader, performer and session musician.