She Built That: Kayla rae ortiz

Written By LegallyBlackIP .

LegallyBlack Artist Spotlight: Kayla Ortiz

By: Beau Reeves

Honoring Women’s History Month

In celebration of Women’s History Month, LegallyBlack is proud to spotlight women who are shaping culture through their creativity while redefining ownership, empowerment, and innovation in their fields. Our first feature highlights Kayla Ortiz, a multidisciplinary artist whose work brings together music, healing, and intentional storytelling.

A Voice Rooted in Healing and Creativity

Kayla Ortiz is a Los Angeles-based singer, harpist, songwriter, and wellness creator whose artistry extends beyond traditional music. As a registered nurse and certified yoga instructor, she brings a unique perspective to her work that is grounded in both science and emotion.

Her creative practice is influenced by her experience in healthcare, especially her understanding of emotional regulation and the nervous system. Through her music and wellness offerings, Kayla creates spaces that encourage reflection, healing, and presence.

At the center of her work is Stretch & Sound™, a wellness brand she founded to combine yoga, sound healing, and live music into immersive experiences. Whether she is performing or leading a class, her intention is to create something authentic that resonates on a deeper level.

Finding Alignment Through Art

Kayla’s artistic journey began early, with music serving as a natural outlet for self-expression. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while working as a nurse, her relationship with art took on new meaning.

In 2020, she began learning the harp as a way to reconnect with herself during an emotionally intense time. That decision became a turning point. The harp expanded her musical expression and introduced her to sound as a powerful healing tool.

Already a certified yoga instructor, Kayla began combining music, movement, and mindfulness. This fusion led to the creation of Stretch & Sound™, where all aspects of her identity as an artist, healer, and guide come together.

Crafting a Distinct Sound

Kayla’s music is rooted in R&B and soul, with influences from hip-hop and jazz. Her sound blends contemporary production with live instrumentation, creating something that feels both modern and timeless.

What sets Kayla apart is her versatility. As both a vocalist and instrumentalist, she often reimagines her music through acoustic and stripped-down performances, sometimes incorporating the harp. These interpretations allow her to explore emotional depth in more intimate ways.

At its core, her artistry is driven by authenticity. Her songwriting reflects real experiences and emotions, inviting listeners to connect not only with the music but also with themselves.

Ownership as Empowerment

In an industry where ownership is often overlooked, Kayla has made it a priority to maintain control over her work. As an independent artist, she owns her music and retains creative authority over her sound and direction.

This decision was intentional. Early in her career, she took the time to understand music ownership, publishing, and intellectual property. That knowledge has shaped how she collaborates, creates, and releases her work.

For Kayla, ownership is more than a business decision. It is a form of empowerment.

Creatively, it allows her to experiment without compromise. Financially, it ensures that the long-term value of her music stays with her. Personally, it affirms her right to control how her art is shared and evolves over time.

Understanding Intellectual Property

Kayla emphasizes that understanding intellectual property is essential for any artist. Once she learned how much of the music industry revolves around ownership and publishing, it changed how she approached her career.

Her advice to emerging artists is clear. Learn early and protect your work.

Creatives often underestimate the value of their ideas. Protecting your work does not limit creativity. It helps sustain it. Knowledge of copyright and ownership allows artists to build careers that are both expressive and lasting.

Representation and Changing the Narrative

As a woman navigating both creative and professional spaces, Kayla recognizes the importance of representation, especially in conversations about ownership and intellectual property.

Women, particularly women of color, have historically been excluded from these discussions. Kayla’s presence as both an artist and an owner challenges that reality.

By stepping into spaces of knowledge and control, she is helping to shift the culture and create opportunities for the next generation. Her work shows that artists can be both creators and stakeholders in their art.

Words for the Next Generation

For young women starting their creative journeys, Kayla offers practical advice.

Stay curious. Ask questions. Learn both the creative and business sides of your craft.

Understanding ownership from the beginning can shape both your career and your confidence. Advocating for your work starts with knowledge.

What’s Next

Kayla continues to expand Stretch & Sound™, bringing together yoga, live instrumentation, and sound healing into experiences designed to restore and empower. She is also working on new music and plans to release her next album later this year.

Across all her work, her mission remains consistent. She creates art and experiences that help people reconnect with themselves and find moments of peace and presence.

Connect with Kayla Ortiz

Stay up to date with Kayla’s music, wellness content, and upcoming releases:

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