Kayla Stephens has been performing since she could walk. Literally. From competitive dance at age three to school chorus and theater stages, performing has always felt like home. But the courage to step into the spotlight didn’t come instantly. One of her earliest memories is freezing up before a preschool talent show. That moment stayed with her—not as embarrassment, but as a promise. She swore she’d never let fear stop her again. And ever since, Kayla has shown up, scared or not, because that moment became the reason she never stops trying, and never stops chasing what she loves.

Kayla earned her B.A. in Theater with a concentration in Performance and a minor in Film and Media Studies from George Mason University. She’s balanced both the spotlight and the technical work behind the scenes. Kayla has acted on stage and in front of the camera, always taking every opportunity to create, no matter the medium.

From a young age, she was writing music and making beats on whatever software she could find. She didn’t know it then, but those moments were the start of a bigger dream. One that would lead her here: producing, writing, editing, performing, and building an independent career as a one-woman team from her bedroom. Much of what she knows is self-taught, as she’s constantly pushing herself to grow—from learning new instruments to rehearsing live sets for hours on end.

Songwriting is her way of processing the world. As a kid who struggled with reading and spelling, she learned to find creative workarounds, substituting words she couldn’t spell. That habit shaped the lyrical style she’s now known for: layered, poetic, and sometimes cryptic. A song that sounds like it’s for someone else might actually be written to herself.

Music has saved her more times than she can count. Through the darkest parts of her life, including times when she wasn’t sure she’d even make it to 24, it’s how she breathes. Through her songs, Kayla hopes to offer what saved her: comfort in chaos, connection in the dark, and a feeling that you’re not alone.

Her community means the world to her. They took a chance on her when she couldn’t take one on herself. Those who’ve followed her journey have become more than just an audience. They’ve become her family. And she hopes you feel just how deeply she loves and appreciates you.