ALICIA WALLER
Alicia Waller (she/her) is recognized for her work as bandleader for the jazz fusion ensemble Alicia Waller & The Excursion. A multi-talented singer-songwriter with a background as an operatic soprano, Waller has since focused on soul music, jazz, and the African diaspora as the foundation for her EP Some Hidden Treasure, released in February 2020 on innova Recordings in conjunction with the American Composers Forum. Her voice and sound have been hailed as “splendid and luminous," as well as “flexible and virtuosic.”
Waller’s work and process were recently featured in the documentary series What Moves You by SkyHour. The short explores her vision to inspire cultural diplomacy through music, and desire to examine sounds that highlight the depth and beauty of the human experience. Highlights include her debut at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in “Celebrating Her Voice: Women of the African Diaspora,” BRIC Arts Media House, Museum of Modern Art, the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, as well as collaborations with the Korea Foundation Public Diplomatic Programs. Her work in music diplomacy has also brought international recognition for her rendition of “Quédate Luna,” by Venezuelan-American musician, Devendra Banhart, in a creative collaboration that sought to introduce the artistic contributions of Venezuelan expat communities to the international world. Additional notable performances and engagements include Opera Exposures at Snug Harbor Concert Hall, Nuyorican Poets Café, Prelude to Performance with the Martina Arroyo Foundation, and Strathmore Music Hall.
Waller received her undergraduate degree in vocal performance from the University of Maryland at College Park and graduate degree from the Gallatin School for Individualized Study at New York University, where she received several scholarships and graduating honors respectively. She is a recipient of numerous awards, among which the NYC Women’s Fund, NYSCA, American Composers Forum, and New Music USA are included.