A young Malibu woman is continuing her family’s tradition of philanthropy in tandem with launching her own burgeoning singing career. At only 19 years old, Isabella Haagen has already performed at some established Los Angeles jazz nightspots including Vitello’s, Rockwell Stage, and Catalina Bar and Grill. At the same time, Haagen is also delving into the highly stylized performance of mariachi while lending her talents to help a nonprofit founded by her grandfather that helps educate the Hispanic community in greater Los Angeles.
Haagen, who goes by “Bella” to friends and family, has been singing since age five. “That’s my passion and what I want to do in life,” the 2016 Malibu High School graduate recently explained. Along with singing in the award winning MHS women’s choir, Haagen studied opera for five years at the prestigious Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles. Now a sophomore at the University of Southern California, Haagen is helping those less fortunate in their pursuit of education with her support of a charity near and dear to her heart. The Federacion Duranguense USA provides literacy, general education and computer science courses in partnership with Mexico to Latinos in Los Angeles. The foundation concentrates on the education of new arrivals who come to the U.S. not knowing how to read or write in English. Diana Haagen, Bella’s mom, said the nonprofit provides support, social programs and education for children, adults and seniors.
“They teach them computer skills. They teach them how to read and write English,” Diana said. Graduates receive accreditation from Mexico like a counterpart to a high school diploma.
“They not only learn how to read and write, but they also learn how to use a computer. It’s all free. They’re already working here, but now they become more productive, they become more proud and they become more successful in this country,” Diana commented. The organization has a pageant once each year to raise funds and Los Angeles-area girls of Duranguense descent participate.
Last October, for the fundraiser held in southeast Los Angeles and attended by Mexican government officials from the state of Durango, Haagen went all out to provide entertainment. She studied privately with internationally renowned voice coach Gualtiero Negrini, an expert in mariachi. In a stunning gown designed by mother and daughter, Haagen sang a 30-minute set entirely in Spanish, all backed by a 15-member mariachi band. Admitting to nerves she added, “It was really fun because it was the first time I had ever done that. It turned out really well.” Haagen received offers to perform in Mexico and Spain afterward.
Haagen’s mother said she was proud her daughter put in so much work to help support the nonprofit started by her own father. Bella’s grandparents decided to give back to their community after starting a successful business, Diana’s Mexican Food Products, 50 years ago. The family has been involved in many charities over the years that provide community support and scholarships. Diana explained her parents “came to this country with nothing and started a successful business.” Her family wants to provide others with the same opportunities through education.
While Haagen is pursuing her degree as an English major, she is actively booking performances at other Hollywood/Los Angeles venues.
“It goes hand in hand. They are the two major parts in my life,” Haagen said. “I want to keep performing in Spanish and English. It was an amazing experience performing with a mariachi band. I hope to do that again.” Although “jazz is one of the genres I really love” Haagen was offered an opportunity to work on a Christmas album for next year—mostly in Spanish.
“I love performing. It’s what I want to be doing as much as possible,” the singer related. Haagen is currently writing her own original material and playing guitar. Writing music in Spanish and English, she says, “fulfills my soul.” After her parents’ insistence on her classical operatic training for “a solid foundation before moving into pop and jazz,” Diana explained, “it helped her get better in everything else.”
“I’m very proud of her. She sets her mind on something and she achieves it, academically and artistically,” Diana said of her daughter. “That’s the most important thing you want to see in any child. She grew up in the bicultural world. I’m proud she’s been able to adapt and assimilate in both worlds really well. As a Mexican American woman who was born here, I’m happy my children have taken their culture seriously and appreciate and value where they come from.”
Isabella Haagen is on Instagram at @IsabellaHaagen
