Notes from
the journey.

In today’s letter, you'll find an interview with vocalist, composer, and bandleader Alicia Waller, whose debut studio album, Louder, Then , was released earlier this year. Alicia also premiered a piece of mine on my senior composition recital, back when we were undergrads at the University of Maryland. It's been a joy watching her career soar in the years since then.

In our full interview , Alicia and I talk about embedding a hidden message for yourself in an album title, plus an unexpected benefit of strength-training: how it translates to personal strength and discipline.

Read the full interview below:

Tiger Noodles, the first magazine for children’s art, catches up with Alicia for a chat as she prepared for a September 11 show at the Chelsea Table & Stage in New York. As an occasional voice teacher, she was generous enough to offer some meaningful insights into how parents can nurture and encourage creativity in their children every day.

Read the full article below:

Listen to the full podcast interview and performance:

Today, emerging soul and jazz vocalist Alicia Waller released her debut album Louder, Then. A classically trained singer with a masters in international relations and music diplomacy, the release finds Waller using her cross-cultural expertise to explore the vast tapestries of Black music in America. Defying the patriarchal boundaries of feminine expression and forged from a conviction for deep development and introspection, Louder, Then is a declaration to herself and the world that her voice will be heard.

Listen to Louder, Then :

Good Night New York

Click here to watch.

Today, emerging soul and jazz vocalist Alicia Waller released “Tempo 120” , an epic R&B odyssey off her debut album Louder, Then , out May 29 . Conceived in dialogue with a variety of musical idioms within the African diaspora, the release defies gender stereotypes from the perspective of a woman making no apologies for following her muse. A classically trained singer with a masters degree in international relations and music diplomacy, the release finds Waller using her cross-cultural expertise to create tapestries; ranging from her renowned plush, dreamlike sound, to contemporary soul bangers.

Beyond her influences, Waller’s music aims to defy the false stereotypes of a female artist, opting for a sound that is heavy, driven and rebellious. Defying the patriarchal boundaries of feminine expression and forged from a conviction for deep development and introspection, Louder, Then is a declaration to herself and the world that her voice will be heard.

Watch the Official Lyric Video:

Emerging soul and jazz vocalist Alicia Waller announced the upcoming release of her debut album Louder, Then , out on May 29 . A classically trained singer with a masters in international relations and music diplomacy, the release finds Waller using her cross-cultural expertise to explore the vast tapestries of Black music in America. From her renowned plush, dreamlike sound, to contemporary soul bangers, the album was conceived in dialogue with a variety of musical idioms.

Alongside the announcement, Waller shared “ My Day, Pt. II (If for the first time) ”, a soul-infused anthem in which she embraces all of the ambition and moxie that has fueled her extraordinary sojourn. From studying the musical vernaculars of Latin America and the Middle East, to traveling to Portugal and beyond, her return to her own culture’s music begins with a groove that propels her voice to the stratosphere.

New York City-based vocalist Alicia Waller invites audiences to participate in a live recording of her forthcoming recording project at Chelsea Table + Stage on Saturday, June 28 at 7:00 PM. The project is presented in association with Waller’s 2025 grant from Chamber Music America ’s Artistic Projects program, funded through the generosity of The Howard Gilman Foundation.

Alicia Waller, the jazz singer who performed the Xhosa song at her Kennedy Center show late last month, is from Oakton, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. “At the end of my performance, these four little girls who look like me when I was little ran up to me with stars in their eyes, and I was like, ‘That’s what this performance is about,’” Waller told me.

Born and raised in Fairfax, contemporary jazz-soul fusion vocalist Alicia Waller is bringing her ensemble, Alicia Waller & the Excursion , to the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. Waller tells City Paper , “I’m very honored to sing there. It is a bit of a homecoming for me. Many school trips were spent at the Kennedy Center as a kid, and I have wanted to sing there my entire life.”

In this episode of The Truth in This Art, I sit down with Alicia Waller, a vocalist whose music defies easy categorization. Blending soul, jazz, and a touch of the unexpected, Alicia captivates audiences with her powerful voice and innovative songwriting. As the leader of Alicia Waller & The Excursion, she's known for taking listeners on a musical journey. In this conversation, we delve into Alicia's artistic journey, exploring her early influences, her unique approach to blending classical training with contemporary sounds, and the challenges and joys of navigating the music industry today. We also discuss her upcoming album, " Louder Then, " and what listeners can expect from this exciting new project.

Alicia Waller has been named a recipient of a 2025 grant from Chamber Music America’s Artistic Projects program, funded through the generosity of The Howard Gilman Foundation. Her project was selected among the 17 awarded New York City-based projects, comprising performances, recordings, new compositions, and residencies, among other artist-generated ideas.

Photo by Kendra Irene.

Washington, DC – New York City-based vocalist and Oakton, VA native, Alicia Waller , returns home to the Washington, DC metropolitan area to present an unforgettable blend of jazz, soul, and vernacular sounds at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage on Saturday, February 22 at 6:00 PM. This concert marks Waller’s first performance in the area in over a decade.

Support for Artists showcases the power of the individual by enabling them to successfully realize their visions. NYSCA supports the creation of new work by New York State artists through artist-initiated projects across a wide range of areas. Alicia was awarded support in the Composer Compositions category.

Look + Listen sparks dialogue between the music and visual art of our time through an annual free festival that promotes access for all audiences and creates opportunities for artists through performances, commissions, and rotating curation.

The NYC Women's Fund for Media, Music and Theatre is a groundbreaking initiative by the City of New York Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) to address the underrepresentation of female and female-identifying artists in film, television, and theatre and now music.

Celebrating 30 years of centering Black women in the field of jazz, the Women’s Jazz Festival is an exciting series of concerts featuring some of the best-known and emerging talent in jazz today.

2021 grantees remain resourceful and imaginative as they continue to play an important role for their broader communities. We are proud to support the work of our artists as they engage with crucial social movements, reflect on the pandemic, and foster hope and connection in every corner of the borough.

* Lower Manhattan Community Council * Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone

In their deliberations, panels considered applicants’ samples of past works, additional past artistic accomplishments, the potential impact of a fellowship on their careers and their artistic field, their readiness to take maximum advantage of support and their alignment with Jerome’s values of innovation, diversity and humility .

On this episode of GET TO KNOW YOU, we discuss another thought-provoking topic; ‘Why do our feelings erupt into creation?’. This week, I’ll be sitting down with Alicia Waller. She is a multi-talented singer songwriter where her vision is to inspire meaningful cultural exchange through music…

‘Get To Know You with Tiffeny Farag’ (Ep 39)

Today’s video premiere features Alicia Waller & The Excursion performing “Soul” from her February 2020 EP Some Hidden Treasure (innova Recordings). The video for “Soul” is the product of an all-women of color creative team, including Shay Paresh (director), Katie Huang (cinematographer), and Eva Yuma (editor)….

Alicia shares the inspiration behind Some Hidden Treasure.

Alicia Waller .. a singer and songwriter who is not afraid to create art beyond genres and inspire her audience with her unique talent!🎙💫 check our last post for the interview with Alicia!

Alicia Waller is a soprano vocalist who uses her music to spark cultural sharing and international diplomacy. You may remember her performance from our inaugural Phenomenal Womxn Festival back in August…

This week, Dylan is joined by Alicia Waller. Alicia is a professional singer from New York, they discuss, amongst other things Alicia’s amazing story of how she came to Portugal to learn Fado. ‘Portugal - The Simple Life’ (Ep 19)

In honor of Black Music Appreciation Month, Garrett chats with Alicia Waller about her latest album, "Some Hidden Treasure." Minnesota Public Radio

As I look toward the self, I find that I am in fact searching for something much larger, and deeper, ancestral reconnection…

Alicia speaks with longtime friend, Catherine Hooper, about her mission to sing vernacular music, that is, the music of the world.

People don’t think about black women thinking about the world, but I think we nurture the world so much…

Alicia Waller, a New York City based musician, travels to Lisbon to complete her travel goal & learns the haunting art of Fado.