Background
Hersi Matmuja was born on February 1, 1990 in Kukëson
Hersi Matmuja was born on February 1, 1990 in Kukëson
During that time, she also studied Canto at Liceu "Jordan Misja" in Tirana, where she received the highest possible grade of 10/10 upon completion.
In 2014 she represented Albania in Eurovision Song Contest held in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the song "One Night"s Anger". Early life and career
She started singing when she was 8 years old and as a child participated in many festivals and talent shows. While studying at the Liceu, she participated for the first time at the Festivali i Kenges, when she was only 16 years old, winning First Prize in the Youth Category for her rendition of the song "Ah Jete Oh Jete" composed by Frederik Ndoci.
She returned to participate in the Festivali i Këngës three more times.
Hersi also participated twice in Kënga Magjike. In 2009 she auditioned for enrollment at the "Santa Cecilia" Conservatory in Rome (qualifying first among all applicants), where she studied canto and started committing professionally to music, participating in concerts and Classical music competitions.
In October 2014, she graduated from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory with the maximum score of 30/30 and the title of "Maestro". She speaks Albanian, English and Italian.
Despite her classical music training, Hersi says her musical influences include Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Rihanna, Björk and Agnetha/ Björn/ Benny/ Anni-Frid. She studies at Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome.
52nd Festivali i Këngës and Eurovision Song Contest 2014
Matmuja was among the 16 participants taking part at the 52nd edition of Festivali i Këngëson Her song "Zemërimi i një nate" (One night"s anger) was written by Jorgo Papingji and composed by Genti Lako. She opened the final night and received 69 points from the jury, thus getting the rights to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
She left Klodian Kaçani and "Maine ty" behind with 24 points.
The Eurovision version of Zemërimi i një nate (One Night"s Anger) and official video was released on 20 March. Matmuja performed in the first semi final, on 6 May.
She didn"t qualify for the final on 10 May.