Durham, NC — Bolivian-American poet, educator, and musician Betty Ayala Falvey has released her debut bilingual poetry collection, Andean Rhapsody of Verses in Two Voices: Rapsodia andina de versos en dos voces. Published on May 7, 2025, the book introduces readers to a poignant artistic journey that weaves English and Spanish verse into a singular voice rooted in universal human experience.
Ayala Falvey’s work stands out for its dual-language approach, which not only emphasizes accessibility across linguistic communities but also reinforces the layered emotional landscapes of her poetry. A Bolivian native who moved to the United States on a full academic scholarship, Falvey has spent her life cultivating the intersections of language, music, and personal transformation. Her debut collection draws deeply from these intersections, reflecting a journey that transcends borders—both geographic and emotional.
The collection pays homage to Ayala Falvey’s signature style of Poesía Cantada, or Sung Poetry, an art form for which she received widespread acclaim in Bolivia. This approach transforms her poems into lyrical performances, with selected pieces from the book already having been musically arranged and presented to live audiences. The lyrical quality of her work continues to resonate across global poetic communities, where she has earned recognition as a Poetic Ambassador representing both Bolivia and the United States.
Her educational background includes a BA in Music Education, and two master’s degrees—one in Music and another in Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture—achievements that contribute to her nuanced understanding of rhythm, language, and cultural symbolism. The author’s intellectual foundation and expressive talent blend seamlessly in this volume, where poems inspired by classical artworks such as Picasso’s Don Quixote, Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Diego Velázquez’s Las Meninas and A Prayer to The Crucified Jesus find equal footing with reflections on war, peace, hope, environment, and familial love.
“This is a poetic journey of love, loss, and human experience,” says Ayala Falvey. “My poems are a mirror. They are meant for reflection—to encourage compassion, cultural understanding, and a more harmonious world.”
What distinguishes Andean Rhapsody of Verses in Two Voices from other contemporary poetry collections is not just its bilingual format, but its deeply personal commitment to exploring a world of dualities. Through the lens of her bi-cultural identity, Ayala Falvey engages themes of displacement, belonging, and heritage, offering readers a poetic symphony grounded in empathy and emotional clarity. Her voice oscillates between cultures and languages, creating a literary experience that is as resonant in Bolivia as it is in North Carolina.
This duality also serves as a response to ongoing global conversations about identity, diversity, and community healing. By presenting poems in both English and Spanish, the author ensures that her work is inclusive, fostering access and connection in ways few poetry collections achieve. It is a cultural bridge that invites readers to not only appreciate poetry, but to inhabit it across boundaries.
Ayala Falvey’s commitment to cross-cultural engagement extends beyond the page. She is currently preparing for a series of virtual and in-person events, including book readings, community discussions, and media interviews. These are expected to take place throughout Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill—communities that have served as her home and creative haven. Plans also include educational outreach and collaborations with local arts and literary organizations aimed at encouraging multilingual expression among emerging writers.
As a recognized voice in global poetic circles, Ayala Falvey continues to moderate international poetry groups and contribute to anthologies where her work has earned accolades. She remains actively engaged in conversations that promote literary excellence, artistic collaboration, and cultural diplomacy.
The author resides in Durham, North Carolina with her husband William, where she continues to create and inspire through writing, teaching, and musical performance. Andean Rhapsody of Verses in Two Voices stands as both a literary achievement and a cultural offering—a volume that aspires to heal, connect, and resonate in the hearts of readers across languages and landscapes.
For interviews, review copies, or event inquiries, contact:
Betty Ayala Falvey
Email: [email protected]
Alternate: [email protected]
Phone: 919-638-5625
Alternate Phone: 919-270-4972
Follow Betty Ayala Falvey on social media:
Facebook – Personal: Betty Ayala-Rojas Falvey
Professional page: Poesía del alma mía
Andean Rhapsody of Verses in Two Voices: Rapsodia andina de versos en dos voces is now available at the following book platforms in three formats: Hard Cover, Paper Cover, and E-book.
