Singer/Songwriter Kyla Nicole Healey Discovers Herself Through Making Music And is Bringing It To The World

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Parent Category: Film and the Arts

Category: Interviews

Published on Tuesday, 08 July 2025 14:02

Written by Brad Balfour

Photo: Stefan Dickerson

Discovering a new musical talent makes the experience of writing about them all the more enriching. Take Kyla Nicole Healey. Originally from Long Island, this singer/songwriter has been pursuing her passions of being a singer, dancer and actress since she was three years old.

Growing up in an artistic family — her father an actor and mother a painter — they were always listening to vintage vinyl in the evenings. Healey knew early on that she was an old soul and resonated with such classic jazz artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, and Billie Holiday. She also counted legendary singing screen stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, and Doris Day among those who made an impression early on.

Says Healey, “Ella’s voice struck a chord within my heart and soul immediately, and has never left. A timeless talent, she is such that you simply want to close your eyes to feel, listen, and absorb her raw talent and the yearning in her voice. The medium of jazz music is much deeper than the physical and has become spiritual, when you allow the music to speak for itself.”

Furthermore, the youthful performer has starred in such off-Broadway musical theater productions as “The Sound of Music” (as Maria) “A Streetcar Named Desire” (as Blanche) and “Cabaret” (as Sally Bowles) in New York City’s Greenwich Village Theatre and Manhattan Movement & Arts Center. 

Bi-coastal from New York City to Los Angeles, she’s been inspired to create her own sound, blending the old with the new. She describes her music as inspired by the old but with a new spirit. When her self-titled debut album — produced and arranged by Stefán Dickerson — was released in Spring of 2024, it featured jazz standards such as “Sway,” “Cry Me A River,” “Moon River,” and “Fly Me to the Moon,” to name a few. Melodic and warm, yet melancholic at the same time, it truly encapsulates a moment in time for her.

Now in production, a new EP — recorded and curated in Los Angeles — consisting of six unique songs is being released this summer. Titled “Eras of Kyla,” it’s an eclectic mix of jazz, soul, R&B, folk, and pop music. All incorporated within her original music, this EP is a fusion of genres, a mixture of dark and light with a poetic lyricism that truly reflects Healey’s passion for songwriting.

Adds the New York native, “Songwriting for me has been a beautiful catharsis and a medium for expression. A subconscious narrative of dreams, hopes, loss, love, grief, and yearning, the process has allowed me to discover hidden parts of myself. A subconscious narrative of dreams, hopes, loss love, grief, and yearning, the process has allowed me to discover hidden parts of myself. Without writing and exploring the physical world I wouldn’t be able to transform this material into a spiritual musical expression. I’m forever grateful I started to express my poetry and songwriting from my early years, since I was 16 years old and on.” 

This exclusive Q&A was conducted in anticipation of that release so some of her comments were made as she’s has been contemplating its completion. This conversation not only reflects what’s happening now but what’s being planned to happen. 

Q: You’re working on a new record. Who wrote the songs? Did you write them with someone? How did you choose the songs?

Kyla Nicole Healey: With a playlist of six songs, the new EP is titled “Eras of Kyla,” since it’s all original music that I wrote. Some of the lyrics were based on older poetry from when I was younger to semi-newer words. It’s more of a collection of my thoughts on personal issues of love, loss, grief, addiction, and how music has really helped me. It’s a beautiful medium for expression and I have an important need for [definitely pulling these out of me]. It’s very cathartic and soulful, especially in these [stressful] times.

Q: When you call it “Eras of Kyla,” it makes you sound like you’re a hundred years old.

Kyla Nicole Healey: I’m an old soul. I’ve always been an old soul since I was young. I used to listen to vinyl with my dad. I remember even when I was three years old, I’d listen to vinyl by the fireplace, growing up in Long Island, New York, Greenlawn near Huntington. He used to be an actor. My mom was and still is a very talented painter. She does oils and watercolor. My parents were very supportive of me doing the arts and singing. 
 
I just remember growing up and listening to records from Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Doris Day, even Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth, and a lot of people I don’t know the names of. Marilyn Monroe was a great jazz singer, and people don’t really listen to her, but I love her voice. It’s very sultry and sexy. But she had a lot of darkness and depth as well, that people don’t allude to. It’s always this, I don’t know, happiness and glamor, but that’s only one facet of her.

Q: Do you remember the first record you heard, or the first that made you want to sing?

Kyla Nicole Healey: The first one that I really recollect and is instilled in my memory would be Ella Fitzgerald’s “Someone To Watch Over Me.” Her singing that in “My Funny Valentine.” I’m not sure exactly what it was titled, but I specifically remember that song.

Q: Your style has jazz elements, but I wouldn’t call you a jazz singer. You’re more in the vein of a Sade or Norah Jones. What do you think?

Kyla Nicole Healey: I think I’m finding my authentic voice right now and infusing different genres and elements that are jazzy, but soulful, and have a kind of indie chill, ethereal dream pop-like feel. It still has those jazzy, raw, intimate elements that are more natural and a nice tonality, but I’m also infusing different influences that have inspired me over the years. I think crossing genres is an important part and process of it and exploring as well.

Q: I noticed you have had some Broadway show experience. Sometimes you can be very big, broad and loud, and the sound has that operatic quality. But your music is very much different from that. When did you figure out that you wanted to go in a different direction than that kind of a stage experience?

Kyla Nicole Healey: I’ve done some musical theater and onstage theater like Blanche in “A Streetcar Named Desire” — as dramatic and intense a role as any. I’ve always loved musical theater. But I’ve also just liked being a singer and songwriter, especially when I’ve felt I could use my authentic, unique voice. It’s been a chance for me to really express how I was feeling. It’s a more personal way to showcase where you come from, your influences and your own lane.

Q: Has it defined the sound that you have? I’ve heard the samples, and it has a very different vibe than being on a theatrical stage. How has that defined how your live performance will be?

Kyla Nicole Healey: I’ve been performing with more of a jazz quartet, but I’m still in the process of exploring that outlet. I think that it would be more of a threshold and combination of engineering and having those tracks and as well as combining these different musical elements. I even use the sitar in one of my songs, “Psyche,” so it’s a bit unique. I like combining different instruments, Middle Eastern influences and rock and pop. It would be amazing if I could get a live sitar player, but I think it would be a combination of having those engineers as well as live musicians.

Q: Interestingly enough, Norah Jones’ half sister Anoushka plays sitar. They’re both daughters of the late legendary sitar maestro, Ravi Shankar. Anoushka does a lot more traditional Indian music, so that can be an influence.

Kyla Nicole Healey: And I love her too. Anoushka Shankar is amazing. I’m like an old Indian man at heart. [she chuckles].

Q: I can see those influences in what you’re doing. Your vocalizations could fit very well into that. You’re still exploring, so what things have you been discovering lately?

Kyla Nicole Healey: It’s part of a process, unnerving or discovering parts of yourself. The journey is the destination, as they say.

Q: Do you improvise live or are you improvising on the record itself?

Kyla Nicole Healey: A little bit of both. I like to improvise live and on the record. You never know what’s going to happen with the musicians in the moment. That’s another element of why I love jazz, because there is that spontaneity and interplay between musicians that’s only created in the live moment. You have to really feed off of each other’s energy. It’s apparent whether there’s synergy with musicians or if there’s not and it’s lacking.

Q: How did you find your musicians?

Kyla Nicole Healey: Usually from producer referrals. Or I see a lot of people out live, performing at prominent venues and musical venues. I’ll just approach them if I feel like it’s a good match or fit, and I love their work. So I like to see people live and to see what they enjoy doing live, seeing how it’s played out in real time.

Q: On your first record, you had a well-known producer….

Kyla Nicole Healey: Yes, Stefan Dickerson.

Q: How did he find you, or did you find him?

Kyla Nicole Healey: Actually through “Backstage.” Right when I moved to Los Angeles, I found him and his assistant reached out to me. It took a while to work with him, but I auditioned for him a few times and then started working with him as a developmental client.

Q: You have a different producer for this record, or are you producing it yourself?

Kyla Nicole Healey: I’ve been working with a new producer. He’s Italian, actually, Mario Fanizzi.

Q: How did you two find each other?

Kyla Nicole Healey: Through my friend who’s also a great singer-songwriter and an actress as well. We met actually at the racetrack.

Q: He’s your personal partner, not your business partner?

Kyla Nicole Healey: Both.

Q: What have you learned from racing?

Kyla Nicole Healey: it’s more mathematical and analytical than just what’s on the surface. Things are a lot deeper than meet the surface with getting any edge in gaming and sports,

Q: You could say that about music. Music has a mathematical element to it.

Kyla Nicole Healey: It does. Exactly. He works with a lot of math people, so maybe they can write an app or something that helps with the modern age, with AI and everything. It’s just a combination of math, talent and skill. But also, I guess you’d call it, sheer luck. I don’t even know what you call it these days, but that energetic spark intrigues people. Something like that. It’s not just talent these days.

Q: Have any horses inspired you to write a song?

Kyla Nicole Healey: There are some amazing ones. Who was the last winner? I don’t know.

Q: Were you looking out for what were the horse races that were recently in the news? What was the one that won? Sovereignty, I think, won.

Kyla Nicole Healey: Sovereignty won the last, and then Journalism.

Q: Yeah, Journalism. I like that horse for obvious reasons.

Kyla Nicole Healey: He’s beautiful. I love the grey stallions. There was this one horse called The Gray Wizard that was just so beautiful. It was from London. I remember seeing it at Saratoga Springs.

Q: That could be your next song. “The Gray Wizard.”

Kyla Nicole Healey: You like it, right? “The Gray Wizard.” [She chuckles]

Q: Have you pretty much moved to LA? You’ve abandoned us here in New York?

Kyla Nicole Healey: I’m still bi-coastal, East and west coast. I visit my family in Florida, which is where I’m at right now. 

Q: What influences do you find in LA and what influences do you find in New York? Florida is great for Latino influences. Is that something you’ve discovered?

Kyla Nicole Healey: I enjoy Bossa Nova and Latin influences, and I’ve explored that as well. Like “Sway” on my first album. But coming from New York to LA, it is definitely a bit different, a bit of a culture shock. New York is a little more [upfront]. At least they tell you to your face if they don’t like you, or it’s an interesting dynamic. 

I’m pretty versatile. I can get along with anyone, and I’ve definitely met some great people there. I’ve worked with some talented musicians, singers, writers, producers, and met some great renowned actors. There’s definitely quality people there, but it’s harder to find your footing and not get drowned out by all the nonsense, partying and whatnot. I would say, if I had to choose, I’m still an East Coast girl. People there are a little more real.

Q: When you finish your record, are planning to come back and start performing here? I don’t know what venues they have for non-hip hoppy, non-pop music kind of artists. I think of you as having a somewhat more sophisticated, adult sound, even though your look could be more of a pop style. Your sound is really rich. It’s more appealing to me than a lot of the other stuff. It might be harder to find an initial pop audience, but that’s good in the long run.

Kyla Nicole Healey: Iit’s good to have both of those elements. It’s like a nice juxtaposition. In LA there’s lots of nice indie venues or reputable jazz venues like Vibratos or the Mercury Lounge if you want indie rock. In New York, as well, there’s a lot of great established venues like Cafe Carlyle and places of that nature. I’ve performed on an international tour when I went to London, which was really amazing. And I got to record at Abbey Road in London.

Q: Wow, that’s fantastic. Who produced that session?

Kyla Nicole Healey: For that session? Myself and my manager, Don Johnson, helped produce that. I was thinking of maybe doing a limited vinyl or another EP just for those recordings special to “Abbey Road.”

Q: As you write your songs, do they evolve or change in the process? Do you learn from one song to the next how to maybe come up with a new hook, or a different element or texture?

Kyla Nicole Healey: They change over time but I would say a lot comes out of the blue like how a lot of poets or writers find inspiration. They’ll have block for a while and then, out of the blue, they’ll be able to channel or write down everything quickly. I feel that for me, I like to write a lot of times at night. I’m kind of a night owl. I am more inspired during the witching hours. It’s quiet, and I’m more connected to the moon. I feel more inspired that way than during the daytime. But things change for sure over time.

Q: You’ve said songwriting has been a form of catharsis, a medium of expression, a way to express a subconscious narrative of dreams, hopes, loss, love, grief, and yearning. It sounds like there’s a dark side that you’re addressing here. Is it a process of therapy, discovering these things and you’re then getting them out?

Kyla Nicole Healey: I would say catharsis. I already know they’re there and I’m getting it out. For me, it’s a yearning. I feel a melancholy and am nostalgic for an older time. I always say I’m an old soul, but I think it’s just that I love older influences and older artists, most who have already passed. 

I love influences like Jim Morrison and Stevie Nicks or deeply troubled people like Amy Winehouse as well. Jim Morrison was a poet. I have this book of his  poetry. They have a very dark path, and dealt with a lot of addictions and issues and grief. It was definitely channeled through their music. I think darkness is needed. No dark without the light. It’s a beautiful thing.

Q: Hopefully, you’re using the music before you abuse yourself [chuckles].

Kyla Nicole Healey:  Yes, in a healthy way. That’s why it’s needed. It’s catharsis. I’m using healthy mediums, I think therapy’s needed for everyone regardless, even if you’re doing well.

Q: I noticed your last name is Healey. Do you have Irish roots?

Kyla Nicole Healey: I do. My dad is Irish, a little bit, but I’m a French European Jew. I’m Jewish as well. I celebrate the best of both worlds. My mom’s Jewish, dad’s Catholic.

Q: There’s a lot of good instrumental music from Israel that could be influential as well. And from Ireland.

Kyla Nicole Healey: I love Celtic folk. That’s another big influence. I would say it’s in one of the “River on the Walk” songs. If you’ve heard that one [that I recorded], it’s a little more folky, like a Joni Mitchell vibe. 

Q: You should definitely look into some of the Irish singers, like The Corrs or Enya. She does really interesting moody instrumentals, along with her voice. 

Kyla Nicole Healey: Oh, I love Enya. If you ever heard her, she does a lot of Celtic folk — also like world music. It’s very ethereal.

Q: Why are you settling on just an EP? It sounds like you have enough ideas to make two full LPs.

Kyla Nicole Healey: I know but I just wanted to see how this panned out first, working with a new producer and it’s been going well. I guess we can see, I do have so many more ideas. I have a lot of songs written in all of my notebooks, so they’re ready to come out.

Q: How does a song start for you? Do you start with the lyrics, and then you work with musicians that you find the music. Or do you just sit and compose the music on a piano or a guitar? What is your development of choice?

Kyla Nicole Healey: It depends on the day. I sometimes hear a melody or I hum something that resonates with me first, and then lyrics do come from it. I would say maybe the music and the emotions influenced me more. Hearing something on the piano or the instruments first, for the most part, I would say. Then the lyrics come in or I would match something that resonates with that tonality. The music’s more inspiring for the initial impact.

Q: This is a great point in your career where you’ve gotten enough groundwork done, but at the same time, the doors are open for all kinds of different directions. It must be tough to make decisions where a song has ended and the next song begins.

Kyla Nicole Healey: It is. I think I [do] run-ons and especially when I write. It’s good to be concise. I’m learning, but also to get your point across. I guess learning when to stop is valuable.

Q: In any case, where do you start first, with the lyrics or the music? When do you start composing?

Kyla Nicole Healey: More on a guitar or a piano. I would say the music influences more, but I think it depends. I do have a lot of lyrics that I write first, but I hum and find a melody first. I say on the piano or guitar, but mostly piano. I start composing the music and then the lyrics will follow.

Q: When do you think you’re going to finish this record? What’s the game plan? Will you release it yourself or with your partners or whatever, and not wait until you find a label that will put it out?

Kyla Nicole Healey: We hope to have it out in mid to late July. We’re just shopping around for a label, to see if there’s a good fit. Like an indie label or an already established label. We’re kind of figuring out now, which would be the best.

Q: Is the plan to release it on vinyl as well?

Kyla Nicole Healey: I would like to, yes. I like something tangible, as well. I know everything’s online these days, but it’s nice to hold something real, like vinyl or CD … right?

Q: If you had a desert island disc, what disc would you take with you on that desert island?

Kyla Nicole Healey: Just one?

Q: If you had to take one. Oh, I could give you two.

Kyla Nicole Healey: I really love “Cream” like Eric Clapton.“Strange Brew” and “Sunshine of Your Love.” I love rock ‘n’ roll, too and old school vinyl but it depends on my mood. I’m so moody, I’m all over (the place.) I love different genres. But maybe Jim Morrison. I love The Doors, too. I think “Riders on the Storm” would be great on the desert island.

Q: And on the jazz side?

Kyla Nicole Healey: Ella Fitzgerald and maybe Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, or I also love Diana Krall. She’s easy, effortless. She has a natural vibe.

Q: If you had a choice of anywhere to start your tour, where would you like to start? LA, New York, Ireland. Where?

Kyla Nicole Healey: I’ll start in New York. If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. Kind of a cliche, but it is true. Then… I’ve already been to London, but I’d love to go back and maybe go to France and Italy. I have yet to go there. I would love to do that. Maybe I’d go to some nice wineries there, do an Italian retreat, a musical retreat. I think that would be unique.  I think of Europe, honestly. There’s New York and exploring the U.S., but Europe would definitely be a dream.

Q: In any case, you’re now in Florida. What will you do for the rest of the day? You’re going to go off to a studio, or you’re going to work on songs?

Kyla Nicole Healey: I’m spending some family time. But we like to go out to concerts and listen to music at home. My parents are big supporters of the arts, as they’re artists themselves. Mostly, I spend time with the dogs, go to the beach, I’m kind of just relaxing here.

Q: Who do you want to see live that you’ve never seen, that would be your target?

Kyla Nicole Healey: I also love Kali Uchis. She inspires me too. And Lana del Rey.

Q: I could see Lana del Rey as an influence, for sure.

Kyla Nicole Healey: Lana del Rey, for sure. She’s very poetic and has a dream girl/ethereal vibe. She has jazzy, sexy, sultry roots as well. I think she’s really created her own lane, which is inspiring.

Q: I hope you make it to London. You can explore where Amy Winehouse worked. Did you see any of the Amy Winehouse films? There’s the documentary in….

Kyla Nicole Healey: …Ronnie Scott’s [Jazz Club]. Next time I’m there, I’m going to perform at Ronnie Scott’s. Amy practically grew up there. Her grandmother dated Ronnie Scott, and she was always invited; she frequented went there with her dad.

For more info go to: https://kylanicolehealey.bandzoogle.com/home

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