In a world where artistry often walks a fine line between precision and passion, Saniyyah stands firmly in the center—bridging both with ease. A rising singer and creative based in New York City, Saniyyah is a recent Juilliard graduate (B.M. ’25) whose music is as emotionally rich as it is technically refined. With each note, she invites listeners into a space of vulnerability and reflection, offering songs that are less about spectacle and more about soul. For Saniyyah, music isn’t just performance—it’s dialogue. And every lyric, every melody, is part of the conversation.
- Isaiah Parrish:
Everybody, my name is Isaiah Parrish on the show Star Studio with Rolling Out, and today I’m here with a special guest. Her name is Saniyyah Bambit. Tell us a little bit about yourself. - Saniyyah:
I was born in California. I had a military dad, so we moved around a lot. I was born in Cali, but I was raised in Virginia and South Carolina. Yeah, I’m a singer. I’m a creative. I just graduated from Juilliard in their vocal music program—classical music, operas, concerts, stuff like that. But I also enjoy singing R&B and soul with a lot of my friends who are jazz musicians. I do a lot of gigs with them. And I’m also a recording artist—I just put my first EP out last summer. - Isaiah Parrish:
Congratulations. - Saniyyah:
Thank you. Yeah, I’m just an artist from down South, based in New York City—just trying to do the thing, just graduated. - Isaiah Parrish:
How did you get introduced to music? - Saniyyah:
I was introduced to music by my father. He’s a musician—he can pretty much sing and play any instrument by ear. He was my first voice coach and is a pastor. - Isaiah Parrish:
Military man, pastor, and musician? - Saniyyah:
Yes. - Isaiah Parrish:
Wow, interesting. - Saniyyah:
So yeah, he was my first voice coach. I started singing in church when we started our church. It was just us—me, my brother, my mom, and my dad—so we needed all hands on deck. I was the singer, my brother was the drummer, my dad played piano and preached, and my mom presided. It was like a job when I was in fourth grade, and that was a huge influence on my music. - Isaiah Parrish:
When did you realize music was more than church—your calling? - Saniyyah:
Hmm. I think music has always been my calling from that early age. But I didn’t realize I could do something bigger until my junior year of high school. - Isaiah Parrish:
Oh, wow! - Saniyyah:
That was during COVID. We had a master class with Juilliard teachers via Zoom, and I sang for one—Amy Burton, who later became my teacher. In a master class they give coaching and critiques, but she cried. - Isaiah Parrish:
Hmm. - Saniyyah:
I thought, “I’m making a Juilliard teacher cry.” - Isaiah Parrish:
Wow! - Saniyyah:
That was the first time I thought, “I must be pretty alright at what I do.” - Isaiah Parrish:
What song did you sing? - Saniyyah:
It’s called O del mio amato ben, an Italian art song by Denudi. She had me sing it again because I caught her off guard. That’s when I realized I could possibly do something outside church—events, charity, banquets—but nothing like this. Then my senior year I auditioned for Juilliard, got in, and I cried—not because I got in, but because I was sad about leaving my church and family. I was sheltered, and I was afraid and sad about New York. - Isaiah Parrish:
Your first leap out of your comfort zone? - Saniyyah:
Yeah. - Isaiah Parrish:
To New York City—polar opposites from Southern Virginia. Can you give us a sample of that audition song? - Isaiah Parrish:
Amazing. Before Juilliard, how did you stand out in auditions and scholarship processes? - Saniyyah:
We sent clips twice because of COVID. I wore an outfit that expressed me. My mom suggested I tone it down, but I said if they have a problem, I don’t want in. I’ve always been authentic. Others had classical training since five, but I knew what I brought. Authenticity set me apart. - Isaiah Parrish:
Absolutely. Once at Juilliard, what arts did you encounter that were new? - Saniyyah:
I went to Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk—a mini-Juilliard—with many disciplines. But Juilliard had a different level of expertise and talent. - Isaiah Parrish:
Did you face imposter syndrome or feel like you belonged? - Saniyyah:
During my first week, I realized I didn’t want to be solely a classical musician. My path differed from my classmates’, who were on a classical trajectory. I didn’t second-guess my talent; I just realized I didn’t want that anymore. I didn’t start moving forward until my junior year. - Isaiah Parrish:
Understood. What shifted? - Saniyyah:
I met my best friend Christopher, a composer. He cried when he heard my first song. I wanted to be an artist—a songwriter. But internally, I struggled because I didn’t want the program for which I enrolled. It was mentally straining. - Isaiah Parrish:
As a Black woman among the minority at a high level, how did you carve out your space? - Saniyyah:
During sophomore year, I organized a concert of original music and covers. It was packed; people supported who I wanted to be. I advocated for myself—told teachers I didn’t want to be solely opera. I switched voice teachers to Kevin Short, who supported me, and talked to Aaron Flag at Jazz. I nearly left Juilliard, but I fought, changed perspective, and by junior year I had carved my own path. I hope I make it easier for Black women after me. - Isaiah Parrish:
If you could meet someone four years behind you, what advice would you give? - Saniyyah:
Finish it. See it through. That piece of paper means you’ve committed to your craft. Be authentic—artists who copy don’t last. Fight for your craft. It’s normal to doubt; changing your mind is strength. Don’t let outside influence shape you. Have confidence, and know it’s okay if your path evolves. - Isaiah Parrish:
Or create your own path. - Saniyyah:
Exactly. It’s hard to walk an uncharted path—you have to clear it yourself—but it’s more fulfilling. - Isaiah Parrish:
What’s next for you? - Saniyyah:
I have a single called “Angel Face” coming out on my birthday, July 16. It’s part of a bigger, surprise project. I’ll be releasing music, visuals, auditioning for Broadway, pursuing modeling, fashion, and visual art—drawing and painting. I’m trying things out in New York: playing with and forming bands, building slowly. It’s scary—friends go back to school; I signed a lease without a job. But that’s the artist’s life. Swim or sink—I don’t think I’ll sink. I trust God’s plan; opportunities often come from nowhere. - Isaiah Parrish:
And where can we find your work? - Saniyyah:
Music is on all streaming platforms. I already have a project called Rough Drafts under Saniyyah on Apple Music and Spotify; “Angel Face” will be there too. My Instagram is a good spot for upcoming work. It’s summer vibes heavy—this is a summer vibe season. - Isaiah Parrish:
That’s great! I’m glad you’ve thrown yourself in the deep end, executed flawlessly, and built on that momentum. We’re excited for your journey. Thank you for being here and letting us get in-depth on what Saniyyah is working on. Thank you. - Saniyyah:
Thank you. Thank you for having me.
Saniyyah’s story is a testament to the power of self-definition. Whether she’s singing Italian arias or releasing a summer single with sultry soul, her artistry continues to evolve on her own terms. With a forthcoming project on the horizon and creative dreams that stretch across music, fashion, and visual art, Saniyyah is embracing the unknown—and doing it with purpose. You can stream her latest project Rough Drafts on all major platforms and follow her journey on Instagram as she continues to shape what the modern artist can be.
