I have been writing and making music all my life, even before I learnt any instruments to accompany it with. As a kid, I remember riding my bike around the bush and making up lyrics and little melodies. When I was in second grade, I started learning violin with my school, and continued with it for 6 years. But during this time, I had also taught myself guitar, piano and ukulele. I’m fortunate enough to attend a school with an amazing music program, and that has definitely enhanced my skills and given me an understanding on music theory.

But my favorite thing to do, is sing. When I was in sixth grade, I won a scholarship with Voice.Online- and ever since then have worked with my singing teacher to compete to the semi finals in Unplugged, play countless gigs across Hervey Bay, and have even learnt about the recording process of songs.

I am now in Year 9, and songwriting is the equivalent of diary for me, except without the secretive part, because I play my songs to complete strangers. Whenever I feel like I need to write something, it’s always in the form of poem- and usually takes me around 20 minutes to complete. My best writing is always done in the shortest time frames.

Currently, I’m working on a song to raise awareness about dementia, and I perform any chance I get at markets, festivals, competitions and school music nights. Any fear I have stepping on a stage immediately disappears the second I strum a chord, play a key, or sing a note. Music has always been my favorite thing in the world, whether I’m listening to others, or performing, or writing- its where my happiness comes from, and I hope to one day make a career of it.

Listen at SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/layla-whitney