Biography
International award-winning singer, was called “Electrifying” by the New York Post in the role of Mary Wells that she originated in Broadway’s Motown: The Musical. She was recently seen headlining for San Diego Symphony and Naples Philharmonic as well as being seen on national TV singing the national anthem at Madison Square Garden. N’Kenge’s musical range covers 11 languages and genres that stretch from opera, gospel, jazz, pop, to musical theatre. A graduate of both The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music, N’Kenge made her Broadway debut in Sondheim on Sondheim singing alongside Vanessa Williams, Barbara Cook, Tom Wopat, and Norm Lewis. West End, London credit includes starring in The Genius of Ray Charles. She had the honor of singing at the White House for President Bill Clinton and at the Commander-in-Chief Ball for President Obama. Last season, N’Kenge starred in Sophisticated Ladies directed by Tony Winner André De Shields as well as headlined her Holiday Magic Concert at the Kennedy Center. She has had solo engagements at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and at the Library of Congress which was broadcast globally by NPR. She has performed with jazz greats like Ornette Coleman and Wynton Marsalis and was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of the leading roles in both the Elton John/Tim Rice Musical Aida and in Marion Caffey’s 3 Mo Diva’s by the Helen Hayes Awards and the Arizoni Theater Awards. N’Kenge made her New York City Center Encores! debut in the leading role of Mother Hare in The Golden Apple and was the headline vocalist for the sold-out Legends! with the Jacksonville Symphony. She is the conceiver, producer and star of the Broadway bound Dorothy Dandridge Musical and has performed her one woman “Forever Summer” celebrating life and music of Disco Queen Donna Summer to sold out venues. On the Opera stage, N’Kenge has performed as a principal Artist with New York City Opera, Virginia Opera, Seattle Opera, Vienna Kammeroper and others. For more details on concert tours and her upcoming album due to be out summer 2020, please visit N’Kenge at nkengemusic.com.
