It was bound to happen. Despite controversy surrounding the TikTok app, which has evolved into an influencer’s playground for short bursts of video content, the app seems to gain momentum not lose it. Now it seems that not only can you watch funny clips of cats jumping around the room, people having accidents, and kids pranking their parents, but you can also get a look at Anna Lapwood, an organist who acquired fame thanks in part to the TikTok app.

Not only has this stunning up-and-coming musician demonstrated how social media can build an audience base, but she’s brought light to the fact that female organists are sparse - something she’s dedicated to changing. It’s not just organists, though. The modern “Western Art Music” (aka “Classical Music”) culture is working fervently to combat a very male-dominated industry that has historically been late to the party for gender equality. Many roles in classical music have seen an uptick in female stars, but organ is slow to gain traction. The darkest corner, however, is for conductors. The writers of the recent movie Tár starring Cate Blanchett could have selected any environment to profile the gender imbalance but big-time symphony conductors beat them out. Hang tight, though. Since the New York Phil “poached” (used playfully) Gustavo Dudamel from the LA Phil, rumors are that this renowned orchestra might be lining up a female conductor to take his place after 2026.

Although a magnet for skepticism around whether China could use it to spy on Americans and influence trends, Anna Lapwood has capitalized on the TikTok app, demonstrating it just might have some public good beyond cats. If the margin of the population interested in classical music improves and gets a boost, it might just be worth having the app available.

You can check out Anna’s TikTok channel by clicking the button below. As for the next LA Phil conductor, you’ll just have to wait and see. Classical music’s version of The Bachelor.