Ayanna Witter-Johnson

Singer, songwriter, cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a rare exception to the rule that classical and contemporary music cannot successfully co-exist. Graduating with a first from the Laban School of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, she has toured with Anoushka Shankar, Courtney Pine, recorded with Akala and composed for the London Symphony Orchestra. The twist is her winning the acclaimed amateur night at the Apollo in Harlem, gaining a MOBO award nomination and getting airplay on BBC Radio 1 & BBC 1Xtra. Able to straddle both worlds effortlessly because of her musical prowess, non-compromising lyrics and ability to deftly reinterpret songs on the cello. She is the definition of eclectic soul.