Student Annalyse Hasty connects through music

Annalyse Hasty, a sophomore double majoring in music and business, has been a professional country singer for over four years.

She has produced two music albums that have been released on all major platforms. Hasty is from Franklin County and has been performing regionally in Virginia, pursuing her love of music and exploring entrepreneurship.

Hasty talked about her music, her summer so far, and her plans for the future.

What are your short-term and long-term goals? 

Short-term, I just want to focus on getting good grades, enjoying my time in school, spending time with friends, and staying active. Long-term, I want to make sure that music is always a part of my life, no matter what career path I take. I don’t know exactly what I want to do yet, but I definitely want to graduate, pursue music as far as I can, and keep creating and performing because it brings me so much joy and purpose.

Why are you passionate about singing and songwriting?

I love the way music connects people. For me, songwriting is like therapy. Whenever I go through a hard time like a heartbreak or any struggle, it all gets quieter when I sit down with my guitar and write. I wrote my first song after my first heartbreak and realized how healing it was. One of my songs, “Sober Eyes,” was really personal and vulnerable for me. I was nervous to share it at first. Once I did, I saw how many people related to it. There were people who had loved ones battling addiction or had been through similar experiences. That moment really showed me the power of songwriting to connect and help others, not just myself.

Why did you dual major in business and music?

I started as a music major, but by my second semester, I wanted to push myself and add another layer to my education. That’s when I decided to add business. It was definitely challenging, especially the math classes, but I wanted to open more opportunities for myself and learn skills that could help me manage my own music career one day.

What does a typical week look like for you?

In the summer, I usually play two to four shows a week around Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. I also make time to work out every day and go outside. I love the summer and being in the sun. When school is in session, my weeks are a mix of classes, practicing music, studying, and still playing shows whenever I can fit them in.

How did you get your first gig?

I was super blessed to get my first show through [local musician] Jerry Wimmer — we booked it together. The first show that I had booked on my own was at Drifters [a restaurant at Smith Mountain Lake] on Mother’s Day in 2021. At the time, I couldn’t even drive yet. My dad told me that if I committed to using the equipment to make money and treat it like a job, he’d help me buy what I needed to get started. His support has meant so much and really helped launch my career.

What has been the proudest moment in your singing career so far?

One of my proudest moments was winning the Lyrics on the Lake Songwriters Festival as a local artist when I was just 15. I had only been writing for a few months, and I honestly felt completely out of my depth surrounded by so many talented artists. Everyone was so encouraging and kind, which made the experience even more meaningful. Winning something like that so early in my journey gave me the confidence to keep going. It showed me that I might have something worth sharing. It encouraged me to keep writing songs. 

Why did you pick Virginia Tech?

I grew up going to Virginia Tech games with my dad and always dreamed of being a Hokie. I visited a few other schools, but VT was the only place that truly felt like home. I love the people, the campus, and the area.  

How does Virginia Tech support you and your goals?

Virginia Tech has supported me in a lot of ways, especially when it comes to helping me reach one of my biggest personal goals, which is earning a college degree. Studying business has opened my eyes to aspects of the industry I hadn’t explored before. On top of that, my music classes have helped me grow as a performer and strengthen my voice. Even though they’re very different from my music world, I think both sides will come together to really support my future in music.

I would like to add how incredibly grateful I am for the friendships I have made at Virginia Tech. While academics are important, one of the things I’m most thankful for as I reflect on my first year is the community and support system I found. It was a challenging year for me, not just academically but personally as well, and having my friends right there with me made all the difference. Sometimes just knowing someone is down the hall who cares about you is the best kind of therapy you can have.

Written by Emily Southern, a senior majoring in multimedia journalism and student writer for Virginia Tech Marketing and Communications