Dr. Kendrah Butler-Waters, a Glenside resident and composer/musician, has been named a Pew Fellow and the recipient of an $85,000 grant for her contributions to the Philly music scene, the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage of Philadelphia announced.
From their announcement:
As a composer, pianist, vocalist, and educator, Butler-Waters takes inspiration from family, cultural memory, faith, and experiences of Black motherhood, seeking to “tell stories of belonging, identity, and love.” Her compositions draw on her study of classical and jazz, blended with gospel and soul influences, and her community-based work often features interdisciplinary collaboration, placing music in conversation with film, spoken word, and performance.
“I am a musician who believes that to truly see each other in our fullest humanity, our quietest, humblest stories need to be lived, loved, and listened to out loud,” Butler-Waters said.
In addition to her music, Dr. Butler-Waters is currently a third grade teacher with the Hatboro-Horsham School District and holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Sociology from Temple University, a Masters degree in Elementary Education from Drexel University, and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Immaculata University.
She has performed in Cheltenham Township among other areas in and around Philadelphia, and has been featured on WRTI Radio, NPR, WHYY PBS At Home Concert Series, Jazz Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Jazz Project.
Her award is part of $8.6 million in grants given to 44 Philadelphia-area cultural organizations and artists. The grants support new theater productions, concerts, public art installations, historical exhibitions, and other events—including six projects that will reflect on America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
For more information about Butler-Waters, you can visit her website. More details about the grants here.
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Photos: Tshay Williams for Journey Arts