Ever since marketing senior Anna Vanvalkenburg wrote her first song with her little sister at age 8, she has held fast to her love of music. In the years after the sound man at her church first recorded the song, the music minister’s daughter has released her album “Shelter” on iTunes.
This is Vanvalkenburg’s second album, but her first solo — she recorded vocals for her family’s album “Walking as a Pilgrim” at age 14. All but one song on “Shelter” are Vanvalkenburg’s original lyrics with original melodies, inspired by her own life experiences.
Very much a family affair, Vanvalkenburg said her father included her and her sister in as many musical opportunities as possible, having them sing short, melodic passages of Scripture to their church congregation.
“[He] invested many hours into teaching me rhythm and songs I’d never thought I’d be able to play,” she said. “He wouldn’t let me give up.”
Despite spending her childhood performing worship music, Vanvalkenburg cites one of her most defining moments as when she visited her first studio in Nashville, Tennessee when she was 14 years old.
“I fell in love with the culture of studio life: Warm Caramel Apple Spice from Starbucks — my favorite singing drink — sore throat, creative juices flowing and nothing to do but create and record and do it again until you’re exhausted,” Vanvalkenburg said. “After that, I’ve always wanted to go back and record my own album.”
She has performed in front of a crowds ranging from “intimate” gatherings of 50 to 200 people to larger groups of 250 to 300 people.
Although she is inspired by The Lockwoods, Sara Groves, Brandon Heath, Steven Curtis Chapman and Dan Bremnes, Vanvalkenburg still looks to her father for musical guidance.
In the future, Vanvalkenburg, who describes her musical style as “folksy, with a hint of contemporary, acoustic,” dreams of becoming a musician in Nashville. She said she aims to tell stories people can relate to, while also bringing them closer to God.
“I want to use my music to lift up the name of Jesus, so I’m open to where He leads me,” Vanvalkenburg said.
Influenced by storytelling songs, worship music and old hymns, Vanvalkenburg said she just wants “to make God happy with [her] music.” Collecting “bits and pieces” of inspiration to use for more original music in the midst of a hectic schedule, she said she hopes to have another record out by early- to mid-2018.
“[The music] just always felt like it was a part of me. … It was almost like I didn’t know who I was without music.”