Kyarah B graduated from CIS in 2016 and her passion for music is still as strong as ever. In fact, this talented musician is moving closer to realising her dream of having her own record label, thanks in part to her recent Women In Music Bursary win. What drives Kyarah, and what has she done since graduation?

What have you been up to since you graduated?
After graduating from CIS, I moved to London to be closer to my family in the Netherlands and to study in the music capital of Europe. I completed my BMus Popular Music Performance degree (vocals) last summer and am currently studying at Tileyard Education pursuing an MA in Music Business. I have been really blessed with multiple internship opportunities at Good Soldier Records and Tape London.

When did this passion for music start? 
It started when I was very young. All my life, I have been surrounded by music, from my first vocal lesson at the age of seven to receiving a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. 

 Music has always been my number one passion and the universal language that has surrounded me since birth. CIS has provided many opportunities to explore music as I performed during various events, such as the CIS talent show BeatFreaked, STEAM fair, First LEGO League and many more. Having the music recording studio on campus also helped me develop myself as an artist as I got to record songs as well. I have to add that my friends also helped me develop my passion as they believed in me and were my number one fans.

How important do you think arts are nowadays?
Social media has changed the way our generation engages with fine art. We discover artworks and artists by searching on our social media platforms. In my opinion, art is still important in our lives, as people of all ages can make personal connections to it. Art is created to inspire, and people today are craving that inspiration as much as ever.

Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years?
I just hope to be happy and to be able to make a positive change to the life of others. That’s all. 

Can you share a favourite CIS memory?
My excursion to Nepal was a major highlight and is one of my fondest memories. Being able to support people in less fortunate circumstances was an eye-opening experience for me. And the friends that I have made over the years, I still consider them my best friends today. Last summer, some of us went to Budapest and Croatia to spend our summer together and it was like time had just stood still. 

Do you have any advice for this year's seniors?
Stay on top of your work and do not procrastinate! Keep on revising your studies and ask for help if needed. I received great support from Ms Michelle Lee when I was struggling with my higher-level Biology course. Also, do sample exam papers from previous years to get familiar with the IB language and expectations. 

Can you share some of your best achievements; or key life moments?
There are a quite a few memorable moments - like when I graduated with a BMus Popular Music Performance degree (vocals) with First-Class Honours and received a scholarship to Boston's Berklee College of Music. And there was the time I performed on the main stage during Berklee’s 2015 Blowout concert. 

When I was at CIS, I was invited onstage to perform with Jessie J, an English singer-songwriter, during her concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Another memorable moment I can think of is when I was selected to be one of two people to receive a bursary (scholarship) for my MA in Music Business course at Tileyard Education. 

I was recently offered a mentorship by Karen Emanuel, CEO of Key Production. Karen was looking for an entrepreneur and a woman she could share knowledge with and I am so grateful to be chosen. And of course, passing and surviving IB :)