14-year-old Orla was nominated for her creative flair in Classical and Jazz. Orla was supported in attaining her Grade 6 distinction in Piano by Becky Dell Music Academy.
Orla was selected by the Youth Choice panel to feature as a Youth Choice for the Classical and Jazz category. They said: "Orla seems talented in loads of areas of music and experiments! She shares her music online and seems very confident and able. Orla seems really dedicated - by learning notation software - and is always challenging herself. She set herself a very ambitious goal and met it. We love that she performed an original composition at a competition."
Orla was nominated by her parent Matt Wyatt. Matt said: "Orla is someone who approaches music not as a technical accomplishment or a CV-filler but as a form of expression. Despite the challenges of 2020, she has grasped the opportunity to write new material, experiment musically across a range of disciplines and styles, and teach herself new notation and production software. At the beginning of lockdown in March, we purchased a trial of Logic Pro X software. We agreed to buy it for Orla on the condition that she ‘prove’ her commitment to it and within 90 days, she had not only taught herself to a competent level but also composed a number of tracks and won a local composition competition, subsequently using the prize money to buy the software!"
The Trinity judges said: "It is clear that Orla is creatively self-driven, constantly looking to enhance her own skillset, and doesn't see any ceiling to what she can achieve, and puts a lot of emotion behind her music."
How has your Trinity College London qualification influenced your creativity with your art?
Learning classical piano and singing with Trinity has really helped me with my song-writing and recording, it has given me a skill set that I can transfer to all areas of my musical life. It has also taught me the discipline needed for composing, as, without hard work and practice, creativity is unfocussed.
Has taking part in a Trinity qualification helped you to develop wider skills?
Learning instruments has allowed me to take part in various musical activities with others, and though I love song-writing alone, I’ve also hugely enjoyed being a part of orchestras, flute ensembles, bands and choirs. The skills required to work with others is an essential aspect of music. Collaborating with other musicians helps me see music from another perspective because everybody approaches music differently.
Please tell us how you found the experience of recording a digital submission for music
Sitting down to record three piano pieces in a row is daunting even to the most accomplished musician, let alone someone at my level because no matter how hard you’ve practised, you’re always bound to make at least one mistake. The discipline of having to perform three songs in one take is brilliant at forcing you to carry on even if you mess up, which is a vital lesson to learn.
Would you like to tell us anything about your personal circumstances or challenges you’ve faced this year, and how you’ve overcome them to achieve your Trinity qualification?
Like many other people all over the country, I’ve faced the challenge of spending a lot more time on my own. Though this is a very minor challenge compared to what many people have suffered this year, I have used my time alone to teach myself Logic and Sibelius, using them to compose and record many of my own songs.
What are the next steps for you following your qualification?
I am really looking forward to taking my Grade 7 Piano and my Grade 7 Flute and I am always looking to constantly improve my songwriting and composing. I would love to record a few of my songs professionally if I ever got the chance but, in the meantime, I will keep working on my skills on Logic.
What are your career aims?
My two passions in life are writing and music and I would love to think that I could use one (or both!) of these in my career.
Have you got any advice for other young people working towards a Trinity qualification or Arts Award?
Practise, practise, practise, (she says, having not practised in several days). I don’t always listen to my own advice, but I know it’s true.
More about Orla
Listen to Orla Skye Wyatt's original songs on SoundCloud: Orla Skye
Read more about the talented young people selected to be featured as part of the TrinityTalent Class of 2020.
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