April 11, 2025
Contact: Sara Diedrich, diedrichs@missouri.edu
Anna Yannessa, BA ’21, was raised in a world filled with music.
Her mother, a professional singer, often brought her daughter along to performances where she hopped on stage whenever given the chance. By age 7, the aspiring vocalist was already staging solo concerts at home, using her mom’s microphone and speakers for an authentic touch.
So, it came as no surprise when a close friend encouraged Yannessa — now a professional singer known by her stage name, Yani — to audition for American Idol. The University of Missouri alumna decided to take a chance.
“I had nothing to lose,” Yannessa, a native of Tabernacle, New Jersey, said. “On a bigger scale, I felt I was starting to get comfortable in my life of performing full-time and wanted to see what else I was capable of when I pushed myself out of my comfort zone.”
Yannessa, who majored in music with an emphasis in voice at Mizzou, earned a spot on the show with a performance of the Sunday Night Football theme, “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night.” Though her journey on the show came to an end during the Head to Head Round on April 6, the experience affirmed her belief that the best things in life come with a leap of faith.
“The things that scare you at first are the things that many times have the biggest impact on the world and yourself, and they are always worth going for,” she said. “Entering space with love and trust instead of fear is what will lead you toward your purpose that God has for you.”
The most difficult part of her American Idol journey, Yannessa said, was watching the talented friends she made along the way be eliminated.
“Everyone is so deserving,” she said. “It’s hard to watch such talent and character be turned down.”
Tiger talent
Yannessa credits her experience at Mizzou with building her confidence as a vocal artist.
“Studying classical performance at Mizzou taught me that I could do things I never once imagined myself capable of,” she said. “The belief my friends and faculty had in me pushed me to explore my passions and ultimately succeed.”
During her time at Mizzou’s School of Music, Yannessa taught private voice lessons and earned national recognition by placing third in the National Association of Teachers of Singing student auditions in the Upper College Music Theater category. She was also among the first students to benefit from the Sinquefield Music Center, which opened in January 2020. The 47,000-square-foot facility offers acoustically optimized spaces, including two dedicated rehearsal halls for choral and instrumental ensembles, a state-of-the-art recording studio, 20 practice rooms, three classrooms and 15 faculty studios.
Some of Yannessa’s favorite Mizzou memories are of gatherings around a campus piano, where students would rehearse, harmonize and share in the joy of making music together.
“There truly is nothing better than singing with your best friends,” she said.
Read on for a Q&A with Yannessa about her musical journey:
Who are your biggest musical influences?
My biggest musical influences are Tori Kelly, Ella Fitzgerald and Kelly Clarkson.
How would you describe your musical style?
I would describe my musical style as witty pop/soul/jazz with a sprinkle of gospel! The wit in my personality (thanks Moms) definitely comes through lyrically and sonically in my writing. Also, I love to belt, riff and create on the spot, which definitely leans into that jazz vein. Even more so, creating and layering unique harmonies is one of my all-time favorite things to do in the studio. Overall, I have lots of different colors in my voice, and I like to explore them all through my writing and live performance. I’d love to explore many genres of music in my writing.
What’s the most meaningful song you’ve ever performed, and why?
The most meaningful song I’ve ever performed is called “Soul’s Anthem” by Tori Kelly. I was actually lucky enough to perform it during the Arena Round for American Idol Hollywood Week! In college, I was lucky to see Tori Kelly live in Chicago in a church performing this song off her newly released gospel album, and it’s my favorite of all time. Some of the lyrics are: “Teach me how to love you (God), show me how to trust you, more than with my words or with a song.” These are things I constantly need to remind myself of, especially when using my voice on one of the biggest musical moments of my life. I believed those words were essential for all American Idol contestants to hear as we entered into the first round of Hollywood Week, and I hope I made an impact.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals or superstitions?
I am very passionate about taking care of my voice, body and mind before performances. At night, I’ll journal and read some passages from “Inner Excellence” by Jim Murphy, which is the book AJ Brown was spotted reading on the Eagles sideline during a game, and I’ll pray. Then I’ll wake up, foam roll my muscles, shower, warm up and get ready, and meditate for a few minutes. Then I feel ready to conquer.
What’s it like backstage on American Idol?
All I can say is that it is a true surge of energy being backstage. Waiting to perform feels surreal and like an electric current running through your body, especially knowing that you’re being filmed the whole time.
How did you handle feedback from the judges?
I really valued the feedback from the judges and tried to use it in my next performance. I am grateful for all of it and always reflect on it.
What’s next for your music career?
I will be writing and really homing in on myself as a recording artist in my next chapter. With all of the support from friends, family and the love on the show I’ve felt, I’m inspired to dive deeper into my artistic expression.
What’s one message you’d like to share with your fans and supporters?
I really would not be where I am without the love and belief you’ve had in me since the day I could start making noise. I will keep making you proud and keep sharing the love you share with me as often and as wide as I can.
