We’re proud to announce that a trio of ACM alumni reached the final of a national competition to find new female musicians, run by online British fashion brand I Saw It First and Capital XTRA Radio.
ACM alumni Kenya Grace, Lyne and Vonné were among 21 finalists who beat thousands of applicants to star in their own professionally-produced music videos, which can be watched below or on the I Saw It First website and Instagram page (@ISawItFirst).
Kenya Grace
Kenya, 21, from Southampton, graduated from ACM in September with a degree in Songwriting & Creative Artistry and recorded a video to her track Tell Me Why.
This is so exciting! I’m literally shocked to have reached the final 21. I can’t believe it, it’s crazy. I just hope this opportunity helps me carry on the journey. Recording the music video was so exciting. It’s a taste of what might come!
Kenya Grace
Kenya, who is dating MMA fighter Joshua Lapin, 29, revealed how her boyfriend’s sporting self-belief has helped her overcome crippling stage fright.
Before a fight my boyfriend inwardly bigs himself up and I’ve been trying to do the same. I wasn’t confident when I was growing up and when I first joined ACM I couldn’t even sing in front of people but now I no longer feel scared. Now I’ve recorded my first music video. I’m so proud of myself!
Kenya Grace
Vonné
Vonné, 25, from London, was a Music Performance undergraduate at ACM from 2012 to 2014. She has since worked as a session singer and backing vocalist for artists including Emeli Sandé, Mabel and Kano, has just released her debut EP Think Twice and will support award-winning Italian singer Marco Mengoni at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire later this month.
Vonné, who filmed a music video to her track Someone Like Me, revealed she was “overjoyed” to be an I Saw It First competition finalist and credited ACM for nurturing her musical craft.
Singing is in your blood and a god given talent but I wanted to expand my knowledge of music through the theory with a view to maybe one day teach it and to learn more about my voice because there’s only so much you can do on your own.
Vonné
Lyne
Lyne, 23, who was born in Belgium and lives in London, studied Music Performance at ACM four years ago. She described recording a debut music video for her song Tarzan plus getting the track heard by millions on Capital XTRA as a “dream come true”.
It’s a great opportunity. I feel like I’m doing something really positive for my career,” said Lyne. “I’ve performed at Box Park in Wembley and supported British rap group NSG at a boxing event and performed at a few little venues in London but this is my first competition. It’s so exciting!
Lyne
At ACM we pride ourselves on offering a fully immersive educational experience, where students learn by doing in all areas of the creative industries. Myself and my colleagues are incredibly proud of all of our students and alumni, and were thrilled to hear that three of our alumni have made it to the final of the I Saw It First competition. We are so honoured that we were able to give them that platform on which they could enter the industry.
Kainne Clements, ACM’s Executive Chairman
If you’d like to learn more about how ACM can help you with your music career, why not come along to one of ACM’s Open Days.
