Episode 5: Music, Connection, and Joy: Alicia Olatuja and the Presence of Voice

Alicia Olatuja partially credits Ms. Marsh, one of her elementary school teachers, for her singing career. Ms. Marsh told her she would be a famous singer but warned her not to "get the big head." Alicia's mother and grandmother, both educators, also facilitated her trajectory, giving her a strong worth ethic and a sense of purpose through music.

And Alicia has not disappointed. The New York Times has noted her "luscious tone and amiably regal presence." When she found out she had been invited to solo at Barack Obama's second inaugural ceremony, she was so astounded she lay flat on the floor for two hours. Her cat checked on her from time to time to make sure she was okay. Calling on her deep resources, however, Alicia aligned head, heart, and voice to offer a rousing performance, connecting not only with Obama, who gave her a memorable thumbs up, but with herself and the millions in her audience. She giggled to herself at the end, giddy with the stirring presence she found in herself and which had overflowed into her audience.

Now she has connected with some of the greats in jazz—Billy Childs, Christian McBride, Stefan Harris—and, like her mother and grandmother, has also become an educator. Through her Vocal Breakthrough Academy, she uses her experience as a performer to invite to a "mental reset" those who have doubts or who have experienced trauma, asking them to make a journey to find their voice, to find presence and connection not only with themselves but with our troubled world.

In this way, Alicia's power of voice ripples endlessly, extending beyond stage performance and into the head, hearts and voices of others.

You can find more information about Alicia and her music, including her recent album Intuition: Songs from the Minds of Women on her website here.

Alicia’s memorable performance earning her a presidential “thumbs-up” as the soloist with Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Barack Obama’s Presidential Inauguration Ceremony, January 20, 2013, on the Capital’s steps in Washington, DC.

Her Vocal Breakthrough Academy can be found here.

Alicia’s Instagram photographs and videos can be found here.