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There is no specific type of artist that we focus on or primarily support. Creative expression comes in a wide variety of artistic disciplines and genres. We are looking for passion and excellence in your craft. Tell us why your work is important to you and how you hope it will impact others.
Where Eagles Soar (Isaiah 40:31)
Integrity: Arts & Culture Association is honored to approve Kyles' funding request, and we wish him continued success in his endeavors.
CONGRATULATIONS TO IACA CYCLE #40
MINI-GRANT RECIPIENT, KEANON KYLES!
Click here to learn about nonprofit grant winner, On The Move Art Studio.
I am an operatic bass-baritone that performs heavily throughout Chicago and surrounding areas. I also do a great deal of performing internationally. My musical journey started with the Chicago Children's Choir when I was 8. Since then I committed to a life of art songs, new music and opera. I went to Columbia College Chicago to solidify my technique and gain a more clear path on how I want my performance path to look. Like many artists, upon graduation I was hit with the reality of more bills than there is gigs. With bills piling up I had to take on a janitorial job, that I thought would only be a year long transition job but in fact turned into a 9 year stint that eventually sponsored my musical endeavors. Ultimately, I took the leap of faith and decided to quit that job in 2019 and go all in for classical music. Since then, I've been awarded the opportunity to work with so many amazing artists on new commission work here in Chicago, as well as, employ local artist for projects that I've created. Since then I've also joined the voice faculty of Roosevelt University, where I lead private voice lessons and co-teach an undergraduate performance class. Going to university myself, I really focusing on being on the stage; since then my career has evolved into spearheading new collaborations while performing new contemporary art song/opera and sewing into the future of young opera singers and musical theater artists.
Aside from operatic performances, I have performed a plethora of concert work with
Chicago Symphony Orchestra through their Negaunee Music Institute. I have been featured on the front page of the Chicago Sun-Times and my music career has been highlighted on Good Morning America, CNN, BBC News, NPR amongst other major media outlets. I was
recently one of Portland Opera's four Resident Artists and performed in their season opener,
"Carmen," as Morales. Outside of performing I am a voice teacher—leading private and group
classes through Lyriq Music School and I am on the classical voice faculty at Roosevelt
University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. I also sit on the board of LATTE Theater
based out of La Grange, Il and non-profit all women ensemble, C21 as their Director of
Development and Brand Consultant. I am a two-time Reva and David Logan Foundation award
recipient, 2023 B2B Illinois Arts Grant recipient, 2023 “Outstanding Achievement in Arts and
Humanities” award recipient from the State of Illinois, 2022 grant recipient of the “Illinois Arts
Council Agency” award and former resident artist and affiliate of the private artist club, The
Cliff Dwellers.”
Most of my success I owe to so many amazing people that believe in me. I am forever grateful for the love and support [moral and financial] bestowed unto me. It is my prayer that across the globe-people see the light in my future and choose to invest in me as I make my musical journey through the world. The funds that I receive go towards projects overseas, music purchases, studio rental, community involvement, Chicago Public School inclusion projects and other unforeseen expenses that culminate during project development. Each day I learn more and more how pivotal it is to have a village sowing into your vision. Like any forest, it takes a plethora of individuals to spare their time, energy and sometimes money into growing and sustaining the life of the trees. Nothing is too small or too little. Each blessing I receive makes a major impact on me and the audiences I serve
Teaching from home has worn my keyboard out completely and I'm in dire need of a new one. I plan to apply these funds to a new keyboard/office area so that I can continue to work on my personal projects, learn music from home for gigs and continue to teach virtually.
Above is a collaboration I did with Chicago composer, Stacy Garrop for a project we were doing for Chicago Opera Theater. This was in the heat of COVID where no live performances were being done. I had to in-fact learn and memorize the music then self-record video, audio and edit this video. I also had to learn how to play a wine glass for this project.
The above video link is to a passion project of mine. Here, we all were in the summer of 2020 where there was still no work and I fell upon this amazing song that was written for 8 parts. I decided to learn all 8-parts, record all 8 parts myself and then find an open area to shoot b-roll of myself and this was the outcome. This project meant so much to me and gave me so much healing during COVID.
