Photo by Daniel J Dixon
About
Ximena Abarca is a Chilean-Australian singer, songwriter, performer and educator based in Melbourne, Naarm. Her work brings together music, storytelling, participatory arts and community connection through performances, bilingual projects and creative workshops for diverse audiences and age groups.
Artistic Journey
Born in Santiago, Chile, Ximena began her professional music career after winning the television program Protagonistas de la Música in 2003. Her career included live television, recording projects and performances at major festivals including the Festival Internacional de Viña del Mar.
After moving to Australia in 2010, her creative practice expanded into community arts, bilingual education and participatory music experiences shaped by migration, language and motherhood.
Qualifications and Experience
Experience
Performance & Creative Practice
Singer, songwriter and performer with more than 20 years of experience
Voice-over and singing performer for Kimmy in Hi-5 Latin America
Experience in television, theatre and live performance
Creator of Spaniglota bilingual music project
Education & Community Engagement
Community arts facilitator and workshop leader
Spanish Storytime facilitator at Brunswick Library
Adult literacy and applied learning educator
Recipient of the Merri-bek Flourish Arts Grant for the Spaniglota album project
Qualifications
Bachelor of Adult and Applied Learning
Certificate IV in Training & Assessment
Certificate IV in Music Tution
Diploma of Business
Certificate IV in Hospitality
Advance Diploma in Music Performance
Current work
Ximena is currently recording the first Spaniglota Bilingual Album with support from the Merri-bek Flourish Arts Grant 2026 while continuing to develop new music, performances and participatory arts projects.