Alicia Olatuja

ALICIA OLATUJA (SHORT BIO) Singer Alicia Olatuja wowed everyone at the 2013 presidential inauguration with her solo during the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s performance of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” She’s already earned raves from the New York Daily News and on the View, and with the Choir’s album released on iTunes, and a single "In The Dark" released on March 5 from Alicia’s own forthcoming CD, things are only looking up for her career.

Alicia Olatuja’s reputation has been growing since her arrival in New York in 2005. The New York Times praised her performance with her husband, bassist Michael Olatuja, in their band The Olatuja Project, lauding her “strong, lustrous tone.” The Olatuja Project, where Alicia sings in various African dialects such as Yoruba and Shona, recently released their debut album, the Promise.

Alicia has sung with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir since 2007, often performs as a soloist with the Juilliard Jazz ensemble, and has sung with various recording artists such as Christian McBride, Chaka Khan and Bebe Winans. She has just completed her upcoming solo album, on which she is joined by such acclaimed jazz artists as 3-time Grammy©-Award winner McBride and husband Michael Olatuja (both on bass), Jon Cowherd and two- time Grammy ©-nominee Christian Sands (both on piano), Grégoire Maret on harmonica, Ulysses Owens, Jr., on drums and David Rosenthal on guitar. Her solo debut album, titled Timeless, is slated for an October 14th release this year.

Alicia Olatuja is also a voice teacher, a vocal producer, and teaching artist for the Brooklyn Arts Council.

ALICIA OLATUJA (LONG BIO) While the 2013 Presidential Inauguration ceremonies may have featured such A-list talent as Beyonce and Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys, it’s the voice of a classically trained mezzo-soprano who has drawn the most critical acclaim. On the edition of The View that aired the day after the inauguration, co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck raved about Alicia Olatuja’s “breathtaking” voice...even though she admitted she didn’t know the singer’s name. However, it won’t be long before her name has much more of a familiar ring to it.

In fact, the 30-year old Alicia Olatuja’s reputation has been growing since her arrival in New York in 2005. The New York Times praised her performance with her husband, bassist Michael Olatuja, in their band The Olatuja Project, lauding her “strong, lustrous tone.”

Although Alicia’s solo ran for only one minute of the Choir’s nearly five minute long performance, it resulted in several radio interviews, magazine articles praising her performance, an appearance on WNBC New York’s The Debrief with David Ushery, and a feature in the New York Daily News, which began by stating, “Brooklyn gave birth to a new musical star at Monday’s inauguration.”

Originally from St. Louis Missouri, Alicia Olatuja is a Vocal Performance graduate of the Manhattan School of Music Masters program. She made her recital debut at Carnegie Hall and her professional debut as Sacagawea in the World Premiere operetta Corps of Discovery at the Opera Memphis and has also performed selected scenes at Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center. In 2011, Alicia performed as Sophie in the world premier of the dramatic work by Tony-nominated composer Elizabeth Swados, "From the Fire," both in New York and when the play was presented at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh Scotland where it won awards for best score, best musical production, and most promising musical.

Although musical theater and opera are two of Alicia’s passions, she also performs in a variety of other genres and has been creating quite a buzz in the jazz arena, receiving great praise from jazz giants such as Dianne Reeves and Monty Alexander. She often performs as a soloist with the Juilliard Jazz ensemble, and has sung with various recording artists such as Christian McBride, Chaka Khan and Bebe Winans. Alicia also regularly performs in various venues nationally and internationally with her husband in their African Jazz band, the Olatuja Project, where Alicia sings in various African dialects such as Yoruba and Shona. They recently released their debut album, The Promise.

Alicia has sung with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir since 2007 and their single “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” was released on January 15 on iTunes, in advance of the April release of Love Lead the Way, the Choir’s 27th album. In addition, Alicia has recently completed her upcoming solo album, on which she is joined by such acclaimed jazz artists as 3-time Grammy©- Award winner Christian McBride and husband Michael Olatuja (both on bass), Jon Cowherd and two-time Grammy ©-nominee Christian Sands (both on piano), Grégoire Maret on harmonica, Ulysses Owens, Jr., on drums and David Rosenthal on guitar. The CD, titled Timeless, is slated for release on October 14th this year, with the single, “In The Dark”, released in March. Alicia Olatuja is also a voice teacher, a vocal producer, and teaching artist for the Brooklyn Arts Council.

Awards

1st Place Winner: National Association of Teachers of Singing Award (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)

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ALICIA OLATUJA – PRESS QUOTES

"Brooklyn gives birth to new musical star, singer Alicia Olatuja, at inauguration." - The New York Daily News

Considering all of the talent that had already graced her stage at Carnegie Hall on Feb. 16—Esperanza Spalding, Lalah Hathaway, George Duke, Terri Lyne Carrington and Nadia Washington—Dianne Reeves recognized that one of the most thrilling vocalists of today was actually sitting in the audience: Alicia Olatuja. Giving Alicia a shout-out between songs, Reeves acknowledged the up-and-coming star's breathtaking performance at President Obama's inauguration and predicted great things ahead for her. It may not be long before Alicia Olatuja is the one headlining Carnegie and inviting HER friends to join her in song in that world-renowned venue! - Jeff Tamarkin, Associate Editor, JazzTimes magazine

ALICIA OLATUJA – PRESS QUOTES

"Brooklyn gives birth to new musical star, singer Alicia Olatuja, at inauguration." - The New York Daily News

"Her name is all over the place" - San Francisco Classical Voice

"The young lady was breathtaking....fantastic.....unreal." –The View (ABC)

"Brooklyn gives birth to new musical star, singer Alicia Olatuja, at inauguration." - New York Daily News

"above all that Battle Hymn, with the spectacular voice of Alicia Olatuja ringing out the hallelujahs. I must have watched that a dozen times" - - The Daily Texan

"Ms. Olatuja is an American gospel singer with a strong, lustrous tone and an amiably regal presence onstage." - The New York Times

“a mezzo-soprano who sang the hymn’s solo phrase that begins with the words “In the beauty of the lilies,” – New York Times

"And that solo is what had many people talking." CBS(NewYork)

"Local Singer Alicia Olatuja Becomes Star At Obama Inauguration." - Sheepshead Bites

"Tri-City native Alicia Olatuja sings at President Obama's inauguration" - Tri-City Herald

"Alicia Olatuja performs with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir at President Obama's inauguration" - New York Daily News

"WOW MOMENT— Alicia is her name." - Blogspot

'I especially enjoyed the lovely Alicia Olatuja's singing. Every one is great, but she is the Queen." - Monty Alexander.

"Alicia Olatuja let loose her angelic clarion of a voice." -Counterpunch

This young woman was flawless! -Dianne Reeves

"Her beautiful sound made her a celebrity overnight and she’s now highly sought after. - Amsterdam News

Alicia Olatuja: The voice of history - Amsterdam News

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Primary Instrument

Voice / vocals

Location

New York City

Credentials/Background

Primary Instrument

Voice / vocals

Location

New York City

Credentials/Background

Private Voice Instruction AOVS 2014 Hello there! Thank you for your interest in AOVS (Alicia Olatuja Voice Studios) I hope the studio information below is successful in helping you learn more about the studio and how you can get the most out of your studio experience. I look forward to working with you! Lessons are located at my home in Brooklyn and are tailored to each student, as every voice is unique. For this reason I do not do group lessons but work with each vocalist individually however, other parties can watch if permitted by the student. (ex. A mother and daughter book a 1-hour session. I spend 30 minutes instructing the mother and 30 minutes instructing the daughter however both can be present during the other’s lesson or one will wait in a different room for the other to finish her 30 minute session. ) In AOVS we will focus on breathing, proper vocal technique applicable to various genres, healthy projection as well as repertoire with the option of demo recording your songs after they have been studied in the classes. We have a cozy but high quality studio available with an engineer. Many AOVS students follow up a series of lessons with a professional recording, singing songs they have perfected in voice lessons. The rates for the recording session may vary depending on time and material. Lessons can be booked by the hour, half hour, or in a bundle package, which is more economic. The hour is the most requested and beneficial. Lesson Pricing: $95/hour, $50 for 1/2 hour & $130 for 90-minute lesson. Bundle Package Option: Pre-purchase 4 or more 1hr lessons and they are only $85/hr. (ex. 4 Pre-paid lessons=$340, a $40 value!) Addition Class Options and Fees: *Aural Skills/Ear Training *Introduction To Piano *Melodic & Rhythmic Dictation *Music Theory *Demo Recordings ($85/hr, includes engineer & mixing) *Additional fees may apply for editing, additional instrumentation and vocal production. Hope to hear from you soon. Feel free to email me at [email protected] so I can provide you with immediate answers to any questions or concerns you may have. Best, Alicia Olatuja

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