Kaylen Prince Amplifies Black Voices in Classical Music

Kaylen Prince amplifies Black voices in classical music

Houston-born composer Kaylen Prince’s debut piece, “The City Sings: A Suite for Houston,” premieres in March 2026 as part of Performing Arts Houston’s New/Now commissioning project. Courtesy. Kaylen Prince Kaylen Prince grew up in Houston, loving classical music while rarely seeing Black women reflected in it. From an early age, she trained in piano, mastering a genre rooted in European tradition and often disconnected from the lived experiences…

Amplifying Black Voices in Classical Music

By Laura Onyeneho Kaylen Prince grew up in Houston, loving classical music while rarely seeing Black women reflected in it. From an early age, she trained in piano, mastering a genre rooted in European tradition and often disconnected from the lived experiences of Black communities. What Prince did not realize at the time was that her journey would place her among a small but growing number of Black composers working to expand what classical mus…