About
Ruhiya is a singer, songwriter, and musician who bridges devotional expression with contemporary artistry. She invites listeners into a world of dreams, nostalgic longing and beauty, offering a sonic healing portal of remembrance.
Born in London to a British/Irish father and Filipino mother, and raised as a Quaker with fostered siblings in Herefordshire, her mixed heritage is reflected in the multitude of colours found in her music. Fusing influences of soul, folk, jazz and chant, Ruhiya's voice carries an ancient wisdom with a gentle innocence and purity that touches the heart and moves the spirit.
During a period of exploring the music and indigenous music traditions of her mother's native Philippines, Ruhiya's debut solo album Ginhawa (2022) emerged. Produced by multi-instrumentalist Zayn Mohammed, the album has its debut at the Brunei Gallery at SOAS, London, and was featured in Songlines Magazine and on BBC Introducing.
In 2023, Ruhiya released Carry Me Home, a live folk EP recorded at Hellen's Manor in Herefordshire featuring Jakey Boy Hughes.
Ruhiya is a qualified sound healing practitioner (College of Sound Healing), and graduate of SOAS with a Master’s in Music (Distinction), specialising in the healing and sacred dimensions of music across cultures, and music in development. She is passionate about sharing her voice in spaces that facilitate healing, transformation, and connection.
Her experience includes recording an original song in South Africa with Grammy award winning group the Soweto Gospel Choir, singing with women inside a prison in Cebu, Philippines through the charity Rise Above, providing 1:1 sound healing sessions for NHS workers during the global pandemic through project Duty to care, and co-organising and performing for an Interfaith concert for peace in Bristol at the Centre for Whole Health.
Ruhiya offers her voice and music in both public and private settings, for local and international events including concerts, special occasions, festivals and retreats.
She is currently recording her second album and teaching 1:1 holistic voice lessons.
Music Releases:
Carry Me Home (EP) - Ruhiya ft. Jakey Boy Hughes (2023)
You are Never Alone (Single) (2022)
GINHAWA (Album) (2022)
Public performances include:
St Benedict's Church, Glastonbury, UK
Hicane, Konya, Turkey
Minoa Pera, Istanbul, Turkey
Colet House, London, UK
London School of Philosophy, UK
St Margaret's (Magdalene) Chapel, Glastonbury, UK
Heart of the Rose festival, UK
Elmslie House, Malvern, UK
SOAS Concert series, London, UK
Woolwich Works, London, UK
Joe's Pub, New York, USA
The Wynwood Yard, Miami, USA
Abu Dhabi film festival, UAE
The Fridge concert series, Dubai
Vudu club, Philippines
Notting Hill Arts Club (with the Latin Dub Soundsystem)
The Jazz Cafe (with Yarah Bravo)
Hammersmith Apollo (with Yarah Bravo in support of Fat Freddy's Drop)
KOKO's, London, UK (with the Latin Dub Soundsystem)
Secret Garden Party, UK (with the Latin Dub Soundsystem)
Roskilde Festival, Denmark, UK (with Yarah Bravo)
Waterford music festival, Ireland (with the Latin Dub Soundsystem)
Glastonbury festival, UK (with the Latin Dub Soundsystem)
Hiphop Kemp, Czech Republic (with Yarah Bravo)
