By Jessica Nguyen & Brian Pham
Maybe you hear the sound of vocal exercises slowly start, or perhaps just a simple tune from a karaoke soundtrack. You might even see the lyrics of a song being written on paper. This is the daily practice of Kayla Doan.
The gentle guitar strums of “Hey Soul Sister” filled the room. Melodies and notes flow from ear to ear. Moments like these are one way junior Kayla Doan realized her love for music.
To Doan music has always been a passion. From the first time she spoke, she could tell that she loved to sing.
“I love singing because it helps me understand myself more, express my emotions and gives me the confidence that transfers to my everyday life,” she said.
From early in her childhood, Doan was surrounded by music. Her father was just one influence on her among many others.
“I think my favorite musical memory is in my childhood when my dad would play guitar for songs such as ‘Hey Soul Sister’ and ‘Our Song’,” Doan said.
After playing the piano and later quitting, Doan looked for another way to pursue her music education: songwriting.
“I felt so lost [with] what I wanted to pursue further in my music education [after quitting piano],” she said. “I talked about this with my piano teacher and she suggested that we start trying songwriting.”
Since then, Doan has fallen in love with songwriting. It is a way for her to express herself and feel joy.
“[Singing and songwriting] allows my innermost thoughts and feelings to be vulnerable and out there for everyone to see. The beautiful and the ugly,” she said.
For Doan an important part of songwriting is being able to connect with her audience, and it is always a goal for her to reach the audience emotionally.
“When I first started songwriting seriously I was about 14 years old and I realized that I loved songwriting when I made someone cry with a song during a performance,” Doan said. “It proved that music can really portray my most inner/personal thoughts and feelings that many people can relate to.”
Like all artists, Doan has dealt with challenges throughout her musical career.
“Some challenges that I faced as a singer is that having the positive mentality and consistency needed to improve takes perseverance, determination and self-positivity,” Doan said. “I haven’t completely overcome them but am working my way to overcome them by working on small target goals every day.”
Doan does not let her insecurities get in the way and still finds a way to improve. Even with school and other commitments, Doan works to improve herself and her music.
“I truly believe that practice makes perfect and that you want to portray music [as] something bigger than self and ego. Let the music speak for itself because it does not represent who you are or your worth,” Doan said.
Despite challenges that come along Doan keeps her hopes high for the future and her passion for music keeps growing.
“My musical hopes for the future is to always continue singing and never stop loving music,” she said.
Doan has a promising future in music ahead of her. She became part of the Concert Choir of Fountain Valley High School this year and has won awards for songwriting.
“One major moment in my life is when I got invited for a Certificate of Merit symposium for songwriting,” Doan said. “I finally felt that I had achieved something with my songs.”
In the future, she hopes to work in the business and music industry, such as working under an artistic director to help scout and manage artists or in music marketing.
Whichever path Doan decides to take in music you will always be able to hear the five words she uses to describe herself in her singing: “emotional, beautiful, vulnerable, powerful and me.”
This article was originally published in the 2021 RED Magazine. Stop by room 306 to pick up a copy.
