Composer | Pianist | Violinist | Vocalist | Educator
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Recent 2025 Pew Fellow, Dr. Kendrah Butler- Waters is a Philadelphia based pianist, violinist, vocalist, composer and educator. This multi-instrumentalist holds a dual bachelor’s degree in political science and Sociology from Temple University, a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Drexel University, and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Immaculata University. As a sought-after pianist and composer, Kendrah was the Kimmel Center’s 2015-2016 Jazz Resident, a sought after commissioned composer for several large-scale projects whose compositional original work has been featured on NPR, WRTI, PBS, WHYY, and with Levar Burton and his “Levar Burton Reads Tour”.
She has also worked with the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Art (PAFA) and World Cafe Live on an artist commission for their “Multitude:American Artist Series” to compose a body of work honoring African American fine artist Edward Loper and his Sunday Afternoon painting. Butler-Waters has also completed a commissioned score monument with former Philadelphia/Montgomery County Poet Laureates, Yolanda Wisher and Trepeta Mason for their Black female/femme poetry focused ConSensis Project.
Butler-Waters has also completed a score for the a 2024 uCity art installation, created, curated, and crafted by architect and visual artist Nina Cooke John and poet Yolanda Wisher. The project, which was funded through a uCity grant, honors the rich and vibrant Black culture in West Philly’s “Black Bottom” neighborhood. The permanent art installation, located at 37th and Cuthbert streets, will play and amplify Kendrah’s score from the structure everyday at 12 noon. In the Spring of 2024, Butler-Waters, along with 3 other composer/pianists were awarded a Pew Charitable Creative Project Grant and Music Fund Society Grant for compositional work for four pianos and eight hands. This project, titled 88 Time, was produced and cultivated by Journey Arts and premiered at the Mandel Theater in April 2025. Kendrah was awarded a 2025 Pew Fellowship by the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage winning a $85,000 unrestricted grant to for her compositional and musical endeavors.
Beyond her musical work, Dr. Butler-Waters is an Assistant Principal, a former adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and a guest clinician who has taught masterclasses at multiple universities.
She has also worked with the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Art (PAFA) and World Cafe Live on an artist commission for their “Multitude:American Artist Series” to compose a body of work honoring African American fine artist Edward Loper and his Sunday Afternoon painting. Butler-Waters has also completed a commissioned score monument with former Philadelphia/Montgomery County Poet Laureates, Yolanda Wisher and Trepeta Mason for their Black female/femme poetry focused ConSensis Project.
Butler-Waters has also completed a score for the a 2024 uCity art installation, created, curated, and crafted by architect and visual artist Nina Cooke John and poet Yolanda Wisher. The project, which was funded through a uCity grant, honors the rich and vibrant Black culture in West Philly’s “Black Bottom” neighborhood. The permanent art installation, located at 37th and Cuthbert streets, will play and amplify Kendrah’s score from the structure everyday at 12 noon. In the Spring of 2024, Butler-Waters, along with 3 other composer/pianists were awarded a Pew Charitable Creative Project Grant and Music Fund Society Grant for compositional work for four pianos and eight hands. This project, titled 88 Time, was produced and cultivated by Journey Arts and premiered at the Mandel Theater in April 2025. Kendrah was awarded a 2025 Pew Fellowship by the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage winning a $85,000 unrestricted grant to for her compositional and musical endeavors.
Beyond her musical work, Dr. Butler-Waters is an Assistant Principal, a former adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and a guest clinician who has taught masterclasses at multiple universities.
Testimonials...
"A multitalented pianist, composer, and vocalist who weaves cultural honesty and spiritual sensibilities into her compositions and performances."
WRTI/NPR Article
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" I feel very lucky to have found Kendrah's work for our live event! She composed and performed a gorgeous accompaniment to a live reading by LeVar Burton of a classic tale by the speculative fiction pioneer Samuel Delaney. She seamlessly blended musical styles as suggested by the narrative and characters, creating riffable themes that enhanced the story and LeVar's read without overpowering them. She was a wonderful collaborator who was ready to tweak through rehearsal and into the performance to make it the best show possible."
Julia Smith - Producer for "LeVar Burton Reads" |
"Kendrah Butler-Waters, a multi-instrumentalist, composer and emerging storyteller in high demand, presents music that authentically parallels her life. In spite of her years, her music and oftentimes, lyrics embody the wisdom of her ancestry. You can hear the encouraging words of Kendrah's proud grandmother, feel her dedication to her family and you are most certainly moved by her exploration of her deep relationship with GOD. Her narrative is an indication that she has no limits and there is no musical genre that she cannot digest."
Rhenda Fearrington - Former Jazz Bridge President/Sista In The Front ©2010/2018 |