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Kai Simone, with a career marked by excellence, is an accomplished director, producer, musician, performer, radio personality, and educator. She is the recipient of the 2016 Milwaukee Black Excellence Award in Music and Theater. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Directing and Design from the University of Illinois-Chicago, and her diverse training includes music theory, composition, and voice. Simone’s broad talents have seen her producing memorable plays like A Raisin in the Sun and The Wiz, and creating unique musical experiences through her original Kwanzaa musical, Imani and the Magic Drum, which she recreated and produced into a fully animated production.
In 2012, Simone co-founded the Skai Academy of the Performing Arts in Milwaukee alongside Emmanuel Turner. This institution has enriched thousands of students with dynamic workshops and performances, fostering young talent across diverse backgrounds. The Skai Stage Band, formed under their guidance, is celebrated for its vibrant fusion of styles, captivating audiences in Milwaukee and Madison.
Currently, as the Managing Director of the Bel Canto Chorus and through her Skai Music programs, Simone continues to influence the Milwaukee arts scene. She is actively involved in the Lullaby Project, a collaborative effort with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute through its Milwaukee partner, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Kai contributes to musical education through the Discover Music, Discover Life, Inc. curriculum, a program of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, she enhances the cultural landscape through partnerships with Milwaukee area community and educational entities including Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Arts Museum, and Boerner Botanical Gardens. Kai’s commitment extends to serving on local arts boards, further demonstrating her dedication to enriching the artistic community.
In 2012, Simone co-founded the Skai Academy of the Performing Arts in Milwaukee alongside Emmanuel Turner. This institution has enriched thousands of students with dynamic workshops and performances, fostering young talent across diverse backgrounds. The Skai Stage Band, formed under their guidance, is celebrated for its vibrant fusion of styles, captivating audiences in Milwaukee and Madison.
Currently, as the Managing Director of the Bel Canto Chorus and through her Skai Music programs, Simone continues to influence the Milwaukee arts scene. She is actively involved in the Lullaby Project, a collaborative effort with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute through its Milwaukee partner, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Kai contributes to musical education through the Discover Music, Discover Life, Inc. curriculum, a program of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, she enhances the cultural landscape through partnerships with Milwaukee area community and educational entities including Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Arts Museum, and Boerner Botanical Gardens. Kai’s commitment extends to serving on local arts boards, further demonstrating her dedication to enriching the artistic community.
