We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kayla Waters a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kayla, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Quite beautifully, my purpose found me without even looking! I was blessed to be born into a musical family as my father, Kim Waters, is an iconic jazz saxophonist. My fingertips found their “holy abode” within the ebony and ivories of the piano at a very young age. Music has always been my calling, my deep passion and now my creative ministry as a pianist, composer and producer.
My artistic giftings {all God-given} and the mellifluous music I scribe, is my most sacred offering to the world. My harmonies exude fragrances of peace, love, bountiful elation, abundance, fruits of the spirit, and most all of the aroma of God’s sweet presence.
I’ve spent an immense amount of time in quiet coves of worship to fully understand the depth and loftiness of my profound calling. In the “peaceful pianissimos” I’ve become poised and confident as the woman God created me to be. It is a gift to share musically plush and spiritually rich experiences through sound!
Kayla means “Keeper of the Keys” and “purity” – surely a prophetic movement of my Spirit-led work as a pianist and the pure harmonies that flow deeply within me.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
At this point in my stunning artistic career, I have been blessed to achieve so much! Some of my success humbly includes garnering six Billboard & Mediabase No. 1 singles, touring all around the globe {North America, Europe, Africa}, making national television appearances, sharing the stage with countless music legends, recently debuting and playing at the Hollywood Bowl, and now elated to be releasing my fresh musical offering “Anew” this autumn!
….and in the midst of all of those beautiful feats, there’s something much deeper that my heartstrings desire.
PuriKey Productions is a faith-based music production entity that seeks to help artists find their identity as a songwriter and composer with prayer, intentional creative sessions, cozy coffee chats and agape love. I started this initiative to procreate my own music and now I feel an insatiable desire to magnanimously help others {like me} who have a deep calling to scribe music that shares the love of God in unique ways. With PuriKey, I gingerly walk artists through the creation process from song conception, sound design, moods they are seeking to express, how to musically paint landscapes, all the way to recording their final offering.
Creatively partnering with artists and helping their compositions flourish bring me sweet joy! So many music producers and music production companies rarely take the time to get to know their artists, often pulling pre-produced songs from their libraries, instead of writing something new, something carefully crafted and unique. At PuriKey, all of what is created is fresh and purely scribed on holy ground! Creating in God’s presence is a lush sweet spot and what makes PuriKey’s initiatives creatively uncommon.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1) Being Prayerful – Every creative idea, every footstep, every God-given song, every vision was procreated in worship and prayer for me. 💜 From there all of the blessings flowed fruitfully.
2) Moving with Kindess & Grace – faithfully stewarding opportunities with excellence, treating others with love, exuding gentleness with colleagues, creating with passion-purpose, and using your gifts as an offering to the world. Moving in this way has opened so many abundant doors for me!
3) Dedication & Devotion – staying the course with your vision, your artistry, your creations amidst the ever-changing seasons of life and especially when you are a standout at what you do. When you are called by God, He will make room for your gifts and for His beautiful will to be accomplished!
All of these marvelous skills were honed over time but also from knowing who I am! Beloveds, your identity ultimately drives your artistic purpose!
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
Being a Christian artist in a contemporary jazz genre is a blessing but it also comes with some arduous challenges! I’ve been labeled as being “too deep” or “too spiritual”, often sensing ridicule from others for simply sharing the sweet music God has eloquently given me.
I love that God is the Ultimate Creator, His love isn’t only expressed in gospel music but in jazz, classical, pop, afrobeat, country and every other genre you can think of!
I love that I can musically house my artistic offerings in unusual ways and in the unusual format,
I love that I could lift my hands in worship as I took my bow at the Hollywood Bowl,
I love that I could profess my love for God on national television when asked about what inspires my creative work,
I love that I can give God my adoration wholeheartedly on any platform!
I’m a pianist who is outspoken with her faith on each and every stage that I grace! Confidently pursuing my passionate ministry is how I continuously {and victoriously} overcome!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iamkaylawaters.com
- Instagram: @iamkaylawaters
