BIO
Shanik Hughes is an Austin-based Mexican-American singer-songwriter, bringing years of professional experience on stage and screen into her current musical work. A recipient of the City of Austin Live Music Fund, Hughes is currently focused on developing and performing original music rooted in Latin-pop balladry, richly, emotional storytelling, and a sense of shared human experience.
Before relocating to Austin, Hughes built a successful career as a professional actor, performing in television, film, and theater in Mexico and across major U.S. cities including Los Angeles, Miami, and New York. With decades of performance experience behind her, she brings a rare sense of presence and narrative depth to her music, creating songs that feel intimate, cinematic, and deeply felt.
Hughes’s current musical work reflects a conscious artistic shift. While her earlier projects explored themes of love and personal growth, her forthcoming release will lean into spacious arrangements, global influences, and love as an active, lived force. Her songs invite listeners into moments of stillness, connection, and emotional openness. Her music is meant to be experienced together, in listening rooms, theaters, and community-centered spaces.
Based in Austin, Hughes performs bilingually and remains deeply engaged in the creative community. In addition to her music, she hosts the bilingual podcast Shine Your Light, where she explores creativity and personal reflection through daily meditations. Whether on stage or in dialogue, her work centers on authenticity, presence, and the power of shared stories.