ARTIST PROFILE: Katryna Alexis Shares her Story During Black History Month
Updated: Mar 19
K A T R Y N A A L E X I S
Saint Johns, Florida
Bio:
Katryna Alexis is a 17-year-old recording artist, singer, and songwriter. On January 15th, 2021, she signed a record deal with Nashville Entertainment Weekly Records to promote her music on Radio Worldwide.
Through her singing, Katryna Alexis is actively raising awareness for foster care, adoption, and Autism. She was adopted at 3 months of age from foster care. She also has a brother with Autism. He is her hero and inspiration. Every day, he reminds her of the meaning of unconditional love. She embraces her diversity with positive energy and confidence.
Along with her passion for music, she is also an honor roll student. Katryna is in her third year of American Sign Language and holds various officer positions in Bartram Trail High School Clubs. She is a member of the Bartram Trail High School Voice Ensemble Choir and Tri-M National Honor Society. Katryna is also the founder and President of Bartram Trail Foster Closet Club.
We had the opportunity to ask Katryna some questions about her musical journey so far as a black musician.
What got you into Music?
My brother is the one who really got me into music. He has autism and his favorite thing in the world is music. Growing up, I was always listening to his music 24/7 and now he listens to my music. He is my inspiration because he reminds me of the meaning of unconditional love.
What's your average day like?
On weekdays, I go to school in the morning, and sometimes, some of the school clubs I belong to have meetings before school (Miss Bartram Pageant, ASL).
After school, I have school activities: Acapella; Tri-M; and SAC. On weeknights, I work-out or I’m in the recording studio.
On weekends, I volunteer at Foster Closets to be with foster care children. I also have singing engagements, photoshoots, and interviews.
I also love hanging out with family and friends.
Do you remember the first song you ever wrote? Tell us about it?
I've been writing songs since I was little. When I was 5, I wrote a song about my Christmas tree.
My song, ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ was written when I was 14. My inspiration for the song was from a tv show I had been watching at that time on a history channel and the episode was about Bonnie and Clyde. I fell in love with the story. The following week, there was a hurricane and since there was no power, I decided to write a song about it.
How has your music changed since then?
Bonnie and Clyde is definitely a song that is more for a night by the fire or watching the stars, and as much as I love that vibe, my new song ‘Deserve Better’ is definitely more of an upbeat pop top 40 feelings.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
I was adopted from foster care when I was a baby. I was raised in a very diverse house. My Dad is a Cuban immigrant, my Mom is a Filipino immigrant, and I am a bi-racial Hispanic, so I was always raised to not see color and celebrate the joys of being so diverse in a more non-diverse community.
Who are some Black Musicians you idolized growing up?
Nina Simone, Sza, Beyonce, Alicia Keys
What advice do you have for the young Black Musicians?
My biggest advice would be to never just feel like you have to stick to one genre because of your color.
How important was music to you growing up?
Music has always been super important to me. It helps me to express my emotion through sounds, even if I'm not the one singing. To find a song or a music genre that fits my personality or my mood has always been my kind of therapy. It's so important to me because I want to be a Child Psychiatrist and be able to incorporate music into my practice.
What have you been working on Lately?
My goal for 2021 is to be able to finish an entire album of my original songs.
How’s the Pandemic affected your Music?
It affected my music because I had so many fun singing engagements from March to the end of the year, that was canceled. However, I understand how that pales in comparison to what others have suffered.
On the bright side, during COVID-19, I had a lot more time to song-write and record 3 cover albums called ‘Inspire’, ‘Little Bit Country, Little Bit Soul’, and ‘It’s Christmas Time’.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I can juggle but there are not many places I can use it in.
Is there anything else that you want to share?
I formed a club in my high school called Foster Closet Club. We volunteered to be with foster care children every week and help them with tutoring and shop for their needed items while in foster care. We also volunteer during their fund-raising events.