Kenesha Terrell | CEO & Founder
Early Life & Education
Kenesha Terrell is a Cleveland native and has shared in the many experiences it had to o ffer. Being brought up in the inner city and not having many great influences to cling to, she “learned” at an early age that life was not easy. Displaced at 16 years-old, and eventually pregnant at 18, Kenesha searched for the resources to aid her in the escape of the stereotypical path she found herself on. There was none that she knew of so she trudged on, and made it up as she went. Kenesha has been singing since 4 years old. As a young adult, music and performing became not only her outlet, but a source of income to support her and her baby.
Kenesha went to the performing arts high school, The Cleveland School of the Arts. In her Junior and Senior year, she was o ffered a scholarship to study Classical Voice under the direction of the late A. Grace Lee Mims at the world renown Music Settlement. After graduating high school, Kenesha accepted an Apprenticeship role in their Music Therapy program where she worked with children and young adults on the spectrum. Throughout her college career at Cuyahoga Community College, she studied jazz and sang alongside a number of world renown artists, and jazz groups. She is now back in school at Cleveland State University obtaining her BA in Music Therapy.
Before dedicating her life to teaching, Kenesha worked as a Qualified Mental Health Specialist in the city of Cleveland. Within the two organizations she worked alongside, she directly provided psychosocial rehabilitation to individuals with behavioral and mental disabilities. She worked with clients’ therapists and medical teams to implement and restore daily routines that are critical to remaining functional and successful in life. Kenesha also doubled as a Community Specialist, working in different spaces to make sure families had - not only these special services - but food, shelter, and any other immediate needs met.
Terrell has shared her gift of music in weddings, bar-mitzvahs, galas, graduations, and any other occasion you can name! She’s been in annual local festivals and showcases such as the Buckeye and Glenville festivals, competitions like the Kids Apollo (where she made it to the Top 2), musicals & plays at the Karamu House and Playhouse Square, and performed at places such as the House of Blues, the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Cleveland Institute of Art, and NASA!
Accomplishments & Currently
Over the span of her music career, Kenesha has been able to meet, work with, and open up for a great number of people. This list includes, but is not limited to, Kim Nazarian (New York Voices), The Manhattan Transfer, Doobie Powell, Leandria Johnson, Hamilton Hardin, Phillip K. Jones II, Durand Bernar (grammy nominated recording artist), Howard Gospel Choir, and many more! Terrell also sang for dignitaries like senator Nina Turner, Mayor Frank Jackson, new city of Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, and the entire Cleveland Board of Education. She was even selected to meet and sing for President Barack Obama! She’s performed many di erent styles and genres of music, and has a hand in arranging and writing music for herself and others!
Currently, Kenesha is the Head Vocal Coach for Nesh’s Collective Arts, LLC - helping individuals shine by promoting them, their brands, and their businesses. She is also a Teaching Artist and Vendor to Cleveland Schools and Community Centers. In addition to being a Performer herself, Kenesha is a Background Vocalist and Arranger for various artists in concerts and on their projects. Here, she is giving back by sharing her teaching, performing and singing expertise as a Vocal Instructor and Artistic Director for this new jewel of an organization.
Photo Gallery
Singing the jazz standard Misty during a Black History Month program with NYC pianist, John Thomas.
Singing at “Take 5”, a Cleveland Event Space/Eatery.
Kenesha on stage singing and demonstrating with the infamous Janis Siegel (Manhattan Transfer) during a Jazz Master Class.
Kenesha with the current Cleveland Mayor, Justin Bibb.
Ms. K, in teacher form at Broadway Academy.
Kenesha and her daughter - Aiyanna 🌸
A rehearsal for Broadway Musical Aida, where Kenesha (Aida) just finished a big number!
Young Kenesha, faking a smile because she’s sad about being in second place In Apollo’s competition.
Performing jazz at a Mansion after a Luncheon/Educational Forum for CMSD.
Thankful Thursday - Where Gospel meets Jazz program at Imani Church.
Singing an arrangement of Denise Williams’ “Free” at The Winchester for an Event, The Nebula.
Kenesha and her guitar accompaniment, Pastor Horner, after performing for Mayor Justin Bibb’s ceremony.
“The Nebula”
Young Kenesha with an administrator for the portable performance company, Showagon.
In costume and in character for the musical “God’s Trombones“ written by Langston Hugh’s at the Karamu House.
Singing on the Praise Team at Shiloh Temple House of God.
After the last show is Aida performed at the Playhouse Square with one of the Directors, Ms. Kimberly Brown.
Why Share This?
Kenesha understands - first hand, what the childhood, adolescent, young adult, and full grown adult experience is like in the cities of Syracuse and Cleveland. She has lived and is currently living it. Though she had a rough start, she’s been blessed to have the Arts to navigate through many obstacles . Though the arts o ffered some form of relief, they weren't the only answer to despair. She needed a community - tangible help - but didn’t have access to it due to her lack of resources, and just not being properly informed.
Kenesha’s artistic experience as well as her hardships serve as a testament to one’s hard work and determination; that is profitable to the community, and especially to the youth. Her goal is to tangibly assist those in need, not only giving them the tools required in order to become successful in life, but to stay sane, and maintain their quality of life doing the things they actually love. She saw a need, and is making herself readily available to cater to those who need that, using the arts as a medium to redirect, prepare, and equip them. Along the way, she’s found a few more people willing to be a part of this journey, and they plan on helping everyone they can around them.
