Kayla Kavanagh is a multi~instrumentalist, Singer/Songwriter, Pop/Rock artist and composer. With a love of writing and performing using traditional and electronic instruments, Kayla has spent the last few years creating her own unique sound, brought to life both in her live stage shows and the recording studio. The music graduate qualified with an MA in Digital Performance in 2006, where she began experimenting with live looping using an array of traditional instruments, wires and technology.

During 2008-2009, Kayla performed a national tour, including two successful runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and performances at numerous festivals across the country from her VW Kampervan. In 2010 Kayla released her first album "Stranger Than Fiction" with engineer/producer Nigel Pease (Selva Sound). The debut album fuses her traditional roots with the live music technology from her stage performances.

Kayla has studied composition to postgraduate level, writing primarily contemporary and minimalist music. Her past work has been featured in films, theatrical productions and orchestral works, including a performance by the Kokoro Quartet (Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra).With her own PA system and instruments, Kayla also performs at weddings and corporate events as a classical singer, piano vocalist or instrumentalist.

 

Kayla's "one~woman band" shows feature numerous instruments including keyboard, guitars, electric violin, flute, hammered dulcimer, eigenharp pico, looping pedals and vocoder. Equally at home on stage as a Celtic Singer/Songwriter or multi-instrumentalist, Kayla's unique abilities allow for a wide range of stage performances. Kayla builds up layers of vocal harmony, instrumental accompaniment and textures combined with vocoded vocals and live looping.

Hammered Dulcimer, Electric Guitar & Electric Violin

Eigenharp Pico & Mac Laptop

Electric Violin & Akai E2 Headrush

Flute & Roland FP-7 Keyboard

Acoustic Guitar & Boss RC-50

Kayla is an advocate for Mental Health awareness as she has for many years been living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). As one of the "New Faces of BPD", Kayla is committed to raising awareness of hidden illnesses such as personality disorders, using her musical creativity as an outlet for her experiences.

In November 2009, Kayla launched her special release single 'On the Borderline' at the inaugural PD Congress in Birmingham. The 1st National Personality Disorder Congress was a two day event celebrating success - innovation, knowledge & understanding. Kayla performed the single live at the event where she was invited to perform as a Keynote Speaker. Since performing at the Congress she has become involved with various organisations including Rethink, Emergence, Mind and Time To Change in raising positive awareness of mental health conditions.

Last year Kayla was interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour about how music has provided a positive outlet for the often overwhelming emotions associated with living with a mental health condition. In 2011, Mind featured Kayla's blog on their website during Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month.

Kayla was invited to speak at the Internet & Mental Health Conference in 2011, talking about how technology and social media can be helpful when living with a mental health condition. She now also works as a trainer on the KUF Personality Disorder Programme with Emergence.