An Afternoon Concert with Johnaye Kendrick and Key to Change Students
Join us for a vibrant and inspiring afternoon of music, creativity, and community at Key to Change’s Spring Student Concert at our Renton studio location.
This special event features the premiere of original works composed by our 2025-2026 Composer in Residence, Johnaye Kendrick, written especially for Key to Change students. These world premiere performances offer a rare opportunity to experience brand-new music brought to life by the young musicians for whom it was created.
The program will also include student performances of works by our past composers in residence, including Curtis Stewart, Patrice Rushen, and Caleb Vaughn-Jones. Collaboration with leading composers of color is at the heart of Key to Change. As a featured highlight, Johnaye Kendrick will perform a set of jazz selections with the Johnaye Kendrick Quartet, bringing her distinctive artistry to the stage alongside our students.
There is a pre-concert recital held from 11:30 am–Noon before the main concert event from 12:00–2:00 pm. Following the performance, please join us for a reception with refreshments and snacks. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the students and families and celebrate the dedication and growth of our community over the spring term.
This event is free and open to the public. Families with children are warmly welcomed. Come share in an afternoon of new music and meaningful connection.
Read more about our Composer-in-Residence below:
Johnaye Kendrick is a three-time GRAMMY-Award winning vocalist, arranger, composer, orchestrator, multi-instrumentalist, and member of the all-female vocal ensemble group, säje, whose work spans the boundaries of jazz, contemporary music, and original composition. Known for her breathtaking vocal artistry and innovative approach to arrangement, Johnaye creates music that is as thoughtful as it is captivating.
Johnaye holds a Master of Music from Loyola University and an Artist Diploma from the prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, where she honed her skills under the guidance of the world’s greatest jazz luminaries. Her performances seamlessly blend original compositions with reimagined interpretations of beloved jazz and contemporary works, delivering deeply emotional and memorable experiences.A passionate advocate for music education, Johnaye serves as Professor and Chair of Music at Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University, shaping the next generation of artists through mentorship and instruction. She is stepping into the role as our fourth Composer-in-Residence for the 2026-2027 academic year. Johnaye Kendricks’s Composer-in-Residence post is generously sponsored by Classical King FM 98.1.
