This post was updated Jan. 7 at 8:36 p.m.

With music as her guide, Manisha Wanniappa is prepared for whatever chapter awaits.

With a degree in global studies from UCLA and a love for songwriting, the alumnus’ journey as a singer-songwriter is guided by a deep-rooted passion for music. Drawing from lingering emotions from past relationships and the pain of letting go, Wanniappa’s 2022 single “Unfinished Business” delves into the unresolved feelings that manifest following a relationship. Similarly, her 2022 single “Nobody Knows” offers a glimpse into the self-discovery that comes with experiencing a first love. Wanniappa said she views the process of songwriting as a way of capturing moments as if she was putting them in a picture frame.

“It’s such a cathartic experience, and it’s the way that I process a lot of obstacles in my life or process even really good things in my life,” Wanniappa said. “It’s such a great way to honor the different things that I’ve gone through.”

[Related: Alumni rock band MyVeronica pursues catharsis with live shows, new single]

Growing up in a family of musicians, Wanniappa said she was surrounded by the sounds of Sri Lankan music and the musical traditions of her pianist mother and her guitarist grandfather. She said she uses her grandfather’s guitar during her live performances today. Wanniappa struggled with reading as a child but said her pronunciation blossomed when her uncles encouraged her to sing at family gatherings, which helped her strengthen her delivery while fueling her passion for performing.

Wanniappa said her love for performing led her to merge her passion for singing with a growing interest in songwriting, which blossomed when she began writing poetry at 15. She said she began to mix her poems with melodies, eventually combining them with music and turning them into full-fledged songs.

Her musical talent was further nurtured under the mentorship of vocal coach Daniel Brummel, who said he has guided Wanniappa since she was nine years old. Brummel added that he has shared the stage with Wanniappa multiple times during her live performances.

“Manisha had a gift … from the very beginning, understanding how to weave a really singable, memorable melody itself that could stand on its own, even without accompaniment,” Brummel said.

Surrounded by UCLA’s bustling creative environment, Wanniappa said she embraced opportunities to grow as an artist, primarily through Music Club at UCLA and songwriting classes. She said these activities helped her hone her skills and shaped her as a person. She has developed a sound that blends emotional depth and vulnerability, drawing influence from artists such as Taylor Swift and Fleetwood Mac, she added.

Beyond refining her craft, Wanniappa said UCLA provided something even more invaluable: a community of musicians who pushed her to expand her creative horizons and become the best artist she could be. Collaborating with like-minded peers such as fourth-year Asian American studies student Ariel Tan, Wanniappa said she began to understand and learn from the power of creative partnerships.

“That was one of the great ways that UCLA really helped me on my musical journey. It gave me so much experience performing in front of people through band nights or at the hotel cafe or The Viper Room,” Wanniappa said.

As an independent artist, Wanniappa said she is deeply involved in every aspect of her career, from songwriting to production and marketing. This creative autonomy is vital to her, she said, ensuring that her music stays true to her vision. Though Wanniappa has not released new music since 2022, she said she has big plans for the future. Following a Nov. 17 evening performance at the Adults Only Bar on Sunset Boulevard, she said she is preparing for a possible show in Pasadena next month and is gearing up for a new music release early this year.

[Related: Student Ariel Tan mixes heritage, pop culture in growing musical career]

Wanniappa’s close friend and former roommate, alumnus Dana Hu, said she has witnessed the singer-songwriter’s artistic and personal growth firsthand while sharing a living space with her. From watching her music creation process to talking her through pre-show butterflies, Hu said she has seen Wanniappa evolve not only as an artist, but also as a person.

“I find it so refreshing that she has the perspective of pursuing it for herself,” Hu said. “And I think it really does resonate with people, and it radiates that she really does it because she loves doing it and loves music.”

With her sound evolving as she navigates the path ahead – and now free from the stress of midterms and finals – Wanniappa said she’s ready to continue exploring new realms of music and creativity while embracing whatever opportunities arise. To this, Wanniappa has words of advice for all student songwriters and singers.

“Enjoy everything about it, even the hard times. Stay empowered through the whole process,” Wanniappa said. “Remember that you’re an artist. Remember how much you love your craft and how much you love songwriting.”