Alumna Performs with RAYE at BRIT Awards

Musician Rianna Henriques (Brading’s 2019) joined singer-songwriter RAYE and her band on stage at the 2024 BRIT Awards on 2 March, as the artist made history winning six of the seven prizes she was nominated for - beating Blur, Adele and Harry Styles' record four wins at a single ceremony. RAYE was also the first woman to win the Songwriter of the Year award.  

Rianna, who is a woodwind doubler, played saxophone at the famed award ceremony. She will also be joining RAYE for more of her shows in the coming week, including at the BBC Studios. Talking about the experience, Rianna said: 

Such a great experience and I can't wait to have more conversations with the lovely RAYE at more of her gigs next week! Congrats on making history RAYE!”

Saxophonist and flautist Rianna graduated from the Royal College of Music in July 2023 with a Bachelor of Music degree. She is currently studying at the Royal College of Music for a Master of Performance degree. 

During her time at Alleyn’s, Rianna was a WJ Smith Music Award holder, Music Scholar, and House Captain. She was a recipient of the Liz Elliott Woodwind Prize and Head of the Symphony Orchestra (Woodwind). In 2019, she performed Fantaisie Brilliante sur Carmen at the annual Alleyn’s St John’s Smith Square Concert.  

Speaking about her experience of music at Alleyn’s she said: 

"Being a music scholar at Alleyn’s School was a great privilege. Taking part in the various concerts, clubs and masterclasses helped me to not only gain experience as a player but to define myself as a musician. 

Since leaving Alleyn’s she has performed at music events and festivals around the world, including some of the most exciting music venues, including Wigmore Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, Ronnie Scott’s, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, and David Geffen Hall in New York. 
  
Rianna regularly performs with the Chineke! Orchestra, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Brixton Chamber Orchestra and Symphonica. She has featured in an orchestral reimagining of If I Ain’t Got You alongside Alicia Keys and worked with other artists including Jorja Smith, Clean Bandit and Beverley Knight. 

Congratulations Rianna on this recent exciting achievement! To find out more about Rianna and where you can catch her play, visit her website.

Photo credit: Rianna Henriques (Facebook)