Lauren Padilla

Hi it's Lauren, but I go by Kalani! I come from Hawaii, but am currently residing in Spokane, Washington, attending Whitworth University as an English and Music student. I grew up immersed in the rich, unique musical atmosphere of the Islands, and in high school was very involved in talent shows and choirs.

I applied for GRAMMY Camp in 2014 on a pure whim. Music was a hobby, and songwriting only a recently discovered pastime, but the GRAMMY Foundation somehow saw something more in me and sent me to Minnesota for the opportunity of a lifetime. When that summer I flew from Oahu, my tiny rock in the sea, to St. Paul, I met the kind of musicians I never thought I could become--the kind that turned their passions into professions. There I found in myself the courage to pursue great things, and found in my peers inspiration to create new things--not only as a musician, but as an aspiring writer. I deeply treasure my GRAMMY Camp experience, and call upon it whenever I need extra motivation. Since then I've been able to continue learning my crafts and investing in my talents on venues to which I never would've dared to venture if not for St. Paul; as of this past fall, by the Grace of God, I'm attending Whitworth on a full-tuition scholarship, studying the three things I love most in this world: God, writing, and music.


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