Leadership

I was born in Detroit, but my path really started to take shape when I moved to Atlanta. There, I was mentored by the legendary Kipper Jones and had the incredible opportunity to be part of the Chaka Khan Project, written by Ashley Toman. I even got the chance to sing with Patti Austin—moments that affirmed that music was where I belonged.

Eventually, I returned to Detroit for high school and enrolled at the Detroit School of the Arts. From my very first weeks, I was placed into the Concert Choir as a freshman and groomed into leadership. After COVID, during my junior year, I fully stepped into those leadership roles. By senior year, I was leading every choir I was in, and I even founded my own ensemble.

During that time, I met Davóne Tines, who became a mentor and big brother to me. Through him, I was blessed with amazing opportunities—one of the biggest being editor and co-arranger for Harvard’s inaugural concert honoring former President Claudine Gay.

But as rewarding as those moments were, they came with real challenges. I was attending Berklee College of Music and didn’t have the funds to return for my second year. Still, I put my head down and fought for my place—and today, I’m proud to say I’m a full-ride scholar.

It was during that difficult yet transformative season that Sollis Sound Academy was born. I realized not everyone would be as fortunate as I was, and that access to quality music education is often blocked by cost or systemic barriers. I created this academy to tear those barriers down.

Everything I teach here is rooted in real-world application, whether it’s in the music industry, the church, the classroom, or the boardroom. The world needs music. You just need to know where it needs you, and that’s why I’m here.

— Kris