Today we’d like to introduce you to Unnisa Suarez Gayon.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story begins even before I was born. My parents journeyed from Lima, Peru, to Georgia with a vision in mind. They were determined to build a future for the next generation while honoring our cultural heritage. In 2000, I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in a musical environment enriched with genres from all over the world.
As a Peruvian American, I grew up deeply connected to my Andean Indigenous roots. My parents would often play our ancestral music, huaynos and sayas, encouraging me to dance and sing. At the age of seven, my mother taught me how to play the pan flute, and later the bombo drum. By thirteen, I learned to play the basto and toyo, which are larger variations of the pan flute. In high school, my uncle Leonardo taught me how to play the charango, marking my life as a multi-instrumentalist.
My family and I then started a small Andean band called ‘Illari Sisa’, with my mother on the pan flute, my father on guitar, and my sister on percussion. I served as the director, and often switched between the charango and pan flute while playing. We debuted in 2017, performing at local church events. The following year, two more members joined: Iván on bass and Emmanuel on viola, both of whom would later become involved in my artistic projects. Although the band lasted for about four years, it inspired me to pursue songwriting with my roots and self-expression.
In 2019, during my senior year of high school, I released my first single with a ukulele, “Dream,” which resonated with many people in my community, from Georgia all the way to Peru. Then, in 2021, I released my first Spanish-language album, “A Seguir Adelante,” which explored themes of Andean, indie, and bossa nova influences.
In my senior year of college, I participated in Cartersville’s ‘Buscando La Cara Jarritos’ Intercultural Fest Singing Competition with the song, “A Seguir Adelante”, winning first place and four tickets to Disney World with my family. That same year, I was crowned Miss Peru Fest 2022 in Atlanta and had the honor of performing my original rock song “¿Qué?” at Peru Fest. The rest is still unwritten but— to be continued!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a child, being the only Peruvian American in most of my classes was tough. I often witnessed classmates overgeneralizing stereotypes about Latin America, and it was frustrating not to be able to speak up because of my shy demeanor. Some people didn’t even ask where I was from—they would assume I was from another country or that I didn’t know English at all. Experiencing this kind of rejection early on was difficult, but over time I learned that ignorance often comes from a lack of understanding and exposure, especially in places where our customs, values, and traditions are rarely taught.
Through this, I was able to find peace from within and push back against these challenges. I connected more with people from my community, particularly through church and in Atlanta, where the majority of Peruvians reside. It felt liberating to finally be accepted and embrace that part of my identity, which I carry from within.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My artist name is ‘U.S. Bunny’, which derives from my initials and my love for rabbits. I am a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Palmetto, Georgia. My primary instruments include the pan flute, ukulele, charango, bombo drum, and bass, though I also play piano, guitar, kalimba, otamatone, Cherokee flute, mandolin, and clarinet. My music is experimental, blending indie, Andean, pop, and soul.
Recently, I released my first hip-hop soul single, “Still the Same”, in collaboration with rapper M.C. Scobes. I’m proud of my growth as a musician, learning from masters in the Latin American music world and connecting with artists across genres, including Mimy Succar, Tony Succar, Proyección, William Luna, and Los Shapis. I also participated in the Andean group ‘Apu Inka’, a band I grew up listening to as a child. One of the greatest honors of my career was performing with members of former Andean band ‘Llactasuyo’, and Juan Ramirez Espinoza, musical director of the Andean band ‘Yawar’, in concert—a particularly meaningful experience as a musician and Andean woman. Historically, Andean music has been centered around men, as the instruments require significant strength, making it rare for women to perform this genre. I am proud to be one of the first female Andean pan flute artists in the state of Georgia.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My story would be incomplete without acknowledging the people who have supported me along the way, especially my family, friends, and the connections I’ve made over the years. Musical, professional, and spiritual—they have all been fundamental to my journey.
I am deeply grateful to God for all the blessings in my life, especially to my parents, Marco Suarez Manyari and Gabriela Ramirez Valverde, for nurturing my love for music, and to my sister Geraldine, who has always been by my side, growing up together and becoming the women we are today.
I am thankful to the founders of Atlanta Peru Fest, particularly Yony Ipanaque; Constanza Sweeney, founder of the Cartersville Intercultural Fest; and the founders of Señor de los Milagros in Peachtree City and Atlanta, for giving us the opportunity to share our traditional Andean music. I am also grateful to the Lyke House Catholic Center, especially Fr. Urey Mark, and the community of Holy Trinity Catholic Church for supporting my spiritual growth through music.
I appreciate all my vocal mentors, particularly Dr. Joseph Legaspi, former Lyke House choral director; Dr. Jennifer Sengin, choral director at Georgia State University; and Dr. Kevin Johnson, Glee Club director at Spelman College. I am also grateful to my artist collaborators—M.C. Scobes, Gavin Hough, Jesús Gil, and ZiggyDaArtist—for helping bring my musical vision to life.
Finally, I am grateful for my husband and soulmate, Francis Gayon, who continues to be my greatest inspiration as an artist. Recently, we got civilly married and celebrated by sharing both our cultural traditions, honoring my Peruvian roots and his Filipino heritage. God has truly blessed us with the life we have today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/unnisa_s.g
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unnisa_s.g
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/unnisa-suarez-gayon-a12b62235/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@USBunnySG
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/unnisa-suarez
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5WQi3hEj1BX2cwdFBKeKeL?si=hN23o1T_TAWObA8ekDBtJg
Image Credits
Photographer: Frederick Choi
