Multi-awarded Dubai-based teenager Jovita Bhaumik. SUPPLIED
At just 16, Jovita Bhaumik is proving that age is no barrier to creativity, leadership, or impact. A singer-songwriter based in Dubai, Jovita has already racked up an impressive list of awards, from the Sharjah Educational Excellence Award to the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Award, not to mention the Diana Award in 2022 for her advocacy work. Oh, and did we mention she’s also Head Girl at her school? But Jovita isn’t just about grades and leadership badges—she’s also a passionate artist. Her latest single, Loveless, is already turning heads. “Music has been a constant in my life since childhood,” Jovita tells Expat Media. “But Loveless is my most personal and ambitious project yet.”The song draws inspiration from Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third wife, exploring love, duty, and the pressures of royalty. Jovita approached it like both a historian and a storyteller, creating lyrics and melodies that are emotionally timeless. “Her story wasn’t less powerful, it was simply less heard,” Jovita says, “Writing Loveless was my way of giving her a voice.”
She brought her vision to life by collaborating with other young creatives in Dubai, like arranger John Paul, and recording at BarCoe Studio. The result? A cinematic, emotional track that feels both historical and heartbreakingly modern. The project was more than a track—it was a shared vision among young creatives shaping Dubai’s emerging indie music scene. Between songwriting, advocacy (she’s also Director of Protect Your Mom International), and even basketball for balance, Jovita is showing teens everywhere that you can be many things at once. Jovita navigates a busy schedule while keeping creativity and mental health a priority. “I protect my creativity by writing poems and journal entries that no one will ever read. It keeps me grounded,” she shares.As a young musician, Jovita has won international competitions. At 12, she competed in the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in California and brought home three world titles: Jazz, Original Works, and Original Works with Self-Accompaniment. She also performed at Carnegie Hall, founded Cadence Collective with over 80 graduates, and earned Sharjah Educational Excellence and Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak awards. Yet, she says leadership is as much about amplifying voices as it is about accolades—a philosophy reflected in her advocacy and music.
Looking ahead, Jovita hopes to expand Loveless into an EP that gives voice to overlooked figures in history and literature, while staying true to her own experiences. “Storytelling through music can connect across cultures and centuries if it’s done truthfully,” she says. Even with her packed schedule, Jovita still finds time to read, play basketball, binge Netflix, and simply be a teenager.
“I hope my story inspires other young artists in Dubai to believe their work has a place in the world,” Jovita says. Judging by her journey so far, she’s already leading the way. PIA/Expat MediaQ&A with Jovita
When did you realize you wanted to be a songwriter? I’ve been singing since I was little, but I realized words could live longer in music than on a page. One poem became a melody, and I knew it had found its true home. My family always encouraged me.
Why Jane Seymour for Loveless? Most of Henry VIII’s wives are remembered for drama, but Jane’s story was quieter. Writing Loveless gave her a voice—vulnerable and unfinished, like a letter never sent.
What’s your creative process like? I read letters and biographies, compared portrayals, and wrote melodies and lyrics that feel timeless. Collaboration with John Paul and BarCoe Studio shaped the song’s depth.
How do you balance school, music, and leadership? No two weeks look the same. Mornings and afternoons are for school and leadership; evenings are for writing, recording, or poetry. My family and school support me.
How do you unwind? I read, write poems, listen to music, watch Netflix, and embrace quiet moments—reminders that I’m still a teenager.
In her words
My name is Jovita Bhaumik, I am 16 years old, and I’m a singer-songwriter based in Dubai. I started singing at the age of four and wrote my first song at nine. Music has been a constant in my life, and my latest single, Loveless, is my most personal and ambitious project yet. It was inspired by Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third wife, and explores love, duty, and the isolating pressures of royalty.
Creating Loveless was a turning point. I collaborated with Dubai-based arranger John Paul and BarCoe Studio’s Sean, which gave the song a layered, cinematic feel while keeping it emotionally timeless. Working with other young creatives in Dubai through Musivv helped me realize that storytelling can thrive in our multicultural city.
At 12, I represented the UAE at the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in California and brought home three world titles: Jazz, Original Works, and Original Works with Self-Accompaniment. I have also performed at Carnegie Hall, founded Cadence Collective with over 80 graduates, and won Sharjah Educational Excellence, Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, and Diana awards. I serve as Head Girl at Regent International School, was Head Prefect in middle school, and am Director of Protect Your Mom International, a breast cancer awareness organization I’ve led for four years.
Balancing school, music, leadership, and sports can be busy, but I protect my creativity with poems and journal entries that no one reads. Basketball helps me stay grounded, and I unwind by reading, listening to music, watching Netflix, and enjoying quiet teenage moments.
On songwriting and inspiration:
“I realized that words could live longer in music than on a page. One of my poems became a melody, and I knew it had found its true home. Most of Henry VIII’s wives are remembered for drama, but Jane Seymour is remembered for her silence. Writing Loveless was my way of giving her a voice.”
On collaboration:
“Working with John Paul showed me that collaboration is not about adding more, but knowing when to stop. His arrangements left space for silence, which is harder than filling every bar. That lesson I will carry into future projects.”
On success and growth:
“Ten years from now, success would be releasing music that still feels honest to me and still being in love with the process. Artistically, I hope to have one or two albums that reimagine unheard voices and speak to my own. Personally, I hope I am still reading, writing, and finding joy in small, quiet things.”
On balancing life:
“No two weeks look the same. School and leadership fill mornings and afternoons, evenings are for creating music or poetry. I protect my creativity and mental health by carving out space for myself, which keeps me grounded.”
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