By BETH FEINSTEIN-BARTL

Colombian-born singer Ria. (Photo by Melissa Mahoney/ Courtesy Sun-Sentinel)

For Ria, there’s no place like home when it comes to launching a singing career.

College classes and recording took her to the snowy Northeast. Ria left South Florida in 2003 to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in songwriting and vocal performance in 2006, then stayed on two more years to work on her debut disc. But when it came time for the singular named songstress to get in high gear, she headed back to where it all began.

“Miami is where my heart is,” said the Colombian-born, bilingual indie artist. “It’s where I was raised. It’s where I have my biggest supporters.”

Ria was born in Cúcuta, a city on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, and moved to Miami at age 2. The Magic City has been her longtime muse. Its diversity — coupled with a strong influence from her Colombian-Cuban family — seeps into her music. The result is a blend she describes as soulful pop with occasional fusions of dance, world, Middle Eastern and Latin rhythms.

“My music is very global,” she said. “I have so many different sides of me. It’s like a rainbow.”

The mix can be found on her upcoming self-titled disc. Two singles from the CD were released in June. The album is due out this spring, Ria said.

The soon-to-drop album’s lyrics, dealing with wide-ranging themes of female empowerment, relationships, family bonds and having fun, are in English. Spanish translations of several tunes are due out this summer, she said.

Ria will be performing Saturday at Klutch in Miami Beach. She’ll also be playing at Friday Night Salon, a new weekly series debuting Feb. 26 at Grace Cafe and Galleries in Dania Beach. Salons happen from 6-10 p.m. Fridays, featuring local musicians, works by various artists and tango dance demonstrations. Cover is $10 per person and includes entertainment, a light dinner and a glass of wine.