[Si] TV

Multitalented Rosanna Tavarez has been causing a stir since her days in Huggies. The Dominican-American songstress's nickname was up for debate in her family. Her pops called her "Shana" but her grandma used "Chana." Abuelita won; they always do. Today, the former Eden's Crush member released her debut EP, Manos Arriba, on her own Patacon Records, has an iTunes featured single ("La Duda") today and hosts the second season of Si TV's Jammin. It appears that Chana is making a good name for herself.

Si Ent.: How would you describe your music?
Chana: It's a mixture of stuff. I call it trop-electro-hip-pop. If you just hear the term it doesn't make sense but it's just kind of all those things put together.

Si Ent.: What's the difference now from when you were a part of Eden's Crush?
Chana: Those songs I didn't write, I didn't pick out my outfit or anything. To me it was a departure from my essence but it was totally a wonderful learning experience. I'm glad that I did that because it was a crash course to kind of make me understand what I do now. It's a lot more hands on right now. I wrote the songs with Marthin Chan from Volumen Cero. I produced songs with him. This is definitely a reflection of my taste of my style, of the genres of mixture of music that I love. [This is] not prepackaged. It's definitely a return to the stuff I like. We were all talented and we all appreciated the opportunity that it was so I'm grateful that I did it and there are no regrets in that department.

Si Ent.: We heard you were a thesis away from getting your master's degree in dancing. Did you achieve it?
Chana: I haven't got my masters but I want to finish. That's definitely on the agenda but there's a lot of things on the agenda, (laughs). All I really have is my thesis project to do. I'm well up and above the credits I need to graduate. Unfortunately when people think of dancing they think of Dancing with the Stars, not to knock the discipline involved in ballroom dancing . . . dance has a huge pedagogical side to it. It has its own language. I learned dance technology and I learned how to edit my own pieces, make my own posters and things like that make you a self-sufficient dancer. I learned how to teach dance to people.

Si Ent.: Aside from your music you've also had experience as a TV host.
Chana: I have been really fortunate in my life. Honestly, I've shown up at the right place at the right time. Obviously you need preparation and talent to get these things. It's a combination between serendipity and having experience. I fell into hosting; I showed up at an open casting call. The same thing goes for the music I went to a dinner with a friend of a friend who asked if I knew of a girl that was interested in doing a music project. I was like, "Yes, I do. Her name is me." He referred me to Marthin. We got together and started writing the album a couple of years ago. We wanted to come out with an EP that focused on the five strongest songs. It's coming out of pocket so we're focusing on the quality not quantity.

Si Ent.: How has the Jammin experience been?
Chana: Wonderful. It was perfect because I was hosting a music show. So behind the scenes I got to watch these kids work and interact with them. We share the same dream so it just kind of fit. I love watching people realize their dreams, I love watching people work really hard to achieve them.

Si Ent.: I Googled you and the first image that pops up is of you in Oye, a men's magazine. Were your parents cool with those pictures?
Chana: I really wanted to look cute but not trashy. I wanted to look a little ‘80s and pink and not like a slut. My parents are very forward thinking and they trust my judgment. Again, I didn't go for half-naked so it was never a problem.

Si Ent.: You've done American Idol-themed shows for the TV Guide Channel; so who's your pick to win it all this season?
Chana: I think it's by far the most talented season yet. Again, it's a show that I can watch up; close and personal go for it on a huge scale. That show is very challenging even if you are a singer. I did a reality show very similar to that and I know what it feels like. I've worked with David Foster so I know what it feels like and he's worked with Celine Dion and Whitney Houston. I know the ride that they're in for so I have the utmost respect for those kids. David Archuleta is my boy! He's a cutie.

For more Jammin news go here.