SHE is here in Guyana for Mashramani 2015, and she intends to compete in the calypso competition, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Guyana’s own inimitable singer, songwriter and performer, Ms Joyce Urmela Harris, told this publication that she has been singing since she was 15 years old, and she is now 86. She competes in the categories of soca, calypso and chutney.

She migrated to the United States of America (USA) in 1989, but has annually been returning to her homeland, especially for Mashramani.

This musician is classy and flamboyant in many ways. She is here to showcase her talent, and it is small wonder that she is the four-time winner in several competitions and one of the oldest Caribbean singers as well.

Joyce is a mother of three and grand-mother of 11. She came to fame when she belted out one of her special songs, titled “Taxi driver”, some years ago. She also sang a song, “the Legend of Guyana”, which was a tribute to one of her sons, who passed away in an accident at the age of 22 years old.

Joyce says she has penned and sung more than 50 songs, and has also done voice commercials and advertisements for both local and overseas companies to promote their products. She says hers is the voice behind the Edward B. Beharry television advertisement Indi Special Madras Curry Powder.

While she resided in Guyana, Harris was a cop for several years; and in fact she came from a military background, because several family members, including her father, served in the disciplined services.

Joyce says she sings religious songs – bhajans and does so for special events including weddings and birthdays. She is a gospel singer as well.

Harris is an entertainer on the chutney scene when overseas. She performs regularly, and has performed in many countries abroad.