Guildhall Young Artists share their inspirations

Who inspires members of Guildhall Young Artists (GYA)? We asked three students at GYA King's Cross about the musicians they find most inspiring.
 

Ayanna

An artist who particularly inspires me is Amy Winehouse, through her incorporation of traditional jazz within R&B music. 

I find her fusion across musical genres that’s created both her own unique sound, and expressed her personality, very moving. She inspires my own musical journey of musical self expression.

Henrietta

I am inspired by Anna Magdalena Bach, an impressive soprano opera singer whose husband was Johann Sebastian Bach. 

As wife of Bach and a woman in the 1800s Anna Magdalena Bach did not get credited for many things she may have written. Historians believe that she composed several musical pieces when married to Bach, but all pieces were under Bach's name. It is also thought that Anna Magdalena Bach would help her husband, making contributions small and big to his work. 

She inspires me as although she was a woman in a time when equality didn't exist, she still had an impressive career as a singer, even singing at Prince Leopold's funeral. She deserves the credit she did not get at the time.

Naima

Nia Archives is the artist that inspires me. Her unique style, and combination of vocals with jungle music really strikes me. Her take on jungle music has really inspired me to start my own journey with music production, making my passion seem tangible. 

GYA King's Cross offers a range of classes and performance opportunities for 5–18 year-olds on Saturdays during term time.

Applications are open year-round, there are no auditions, and financial support is available.