By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Recently, Key to Change, a nonprofit organization that makes world-class music instruction accessible to young people from underserved communities, named GRAMMY Award-winning artist Johnaye Kendrick as its new Composer-in-Residence for the 2026–2027 academic year.
“I am thrilled to return to my roots with this role. Many people don’t know that the violin was my first love; it’s where my journey with music began. Playing the violin taught me about connection, self-expression, and the power of storytelling through sound,” said Kendrick. “It also opened doors to experiencing other cultures through travel, shaping my perspective as an artist. I am excited to create in this space again, reconnecting with the instrument that first inspired me, and sharing that passion with the Key to Change community.”
Over her career, Kendrick has worked closely with many leading jazz musicians, including Terence Blanchard, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Danilo Perez, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Brian Blade. She’s also been featured with the Ellis Marsalis Quartet and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.
During her residency, Kendrick will compose original works for students studying both the violin and viola, giving young musicians the unique opportunity to learn and perform music written specifically for them.
Dr. Quinton Morris, Executive Director and Founder of Key to Change, said that Kendrick’s selection for their next Composer-in-Residence at Key to Change is a big win for the organization and its students.
“Having a composer of Johnaye’s artistic brilliance working directly with our students is transformational,” said Morris. “You are not really taught, especially Black kids, how to play serious music. And so, this is an opportunity for them to celebrate their heritage through their music that is being written for them by a serious Black woman composer and musician,” Morris said.
“Johnaye is a two-time GRAMMY Award winner. She is multi-talented, a singer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist. She is a strong Black woman and a mother,” continued Morris. “We demonstrate our values of helping advance and support underserved youth by the people we bring in to work with our students, and Johnaye is an absolute highest level of evidence of that.”
Kendrick was drawn to this role because she is deeply inspired by the next generation of musicians, and it fuels her own artistic growth to work alongside them.
“What drew me most to this role is the chance to collaborate with these talented, energetic, and creative artists. I find so much inspiration in their passion and fresh perspectives,” Kendrick said. “I truly believe that as I share my knowledge and experiences with them, I will also grow and learn in return. It is a beautiful exchange that fuels creativity and connection.”
Kendrick is also the Chair and Professor of Music at Seattle University’s Cornish College of the Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan University, a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from Loyola University, and an Artist Diploma from the prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, and believes the residency aligns with her extensive background.
“This residency beautifully aligns with my passion for education and artistic leadership. As an educator, I am deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians, helping them find their unique voices and empowering them to tell their stories through music,” said Kendrick. “As an artistic leader, I strive to create spaces where collaboration and creativity thrive. This residency with Key to Change offers a unique opportunity to bring those values together; mentoring young artists while also engaging in meaningful artistic exploration that inspires both the students and me.”
Morris said that he wants to broaden the range of artists his students engage with and says that he is committed to building a musical library that shows classical music is far more diverse than many people believe.
“Classical music is infused with multicultural, multi-generational, interdisciplinary genres of music that can be included,” said Morris. “You are going to hear some Black influences of different parts of the African diaspora infused in the music, which will give not only our Black students but all students at Key to Change an opportunity to experience what real Black music is through a classical lens.”
During the residency, Kendrick hopes that the students discover how multifaceted they truly are.
“Through working on music written specifically for them, I want them to see the depth of their creativity, the range of their abilities, and the unique perspectives they bring to their craft,” Kendrick said. “Music has a way of revealing hidden strengths and untapped potential, and I hope this experience helps them embrace the many layers of who they are, not just as musicians, but as individuals.”
