Hi! my name is KayaZhanna Donaldson, and I’m a DC native, vocalist, and performer preparing for my next chapter at New York University Steinhardt, where I’ll be continuing my studies in music and building a career in the arts.
My journey began at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, where I trained in classical music and prepared for my transition to Howard University. At Howard University, I majored in Music Business with a jazz voice concentration. During my time there, I was a four-year member of the renowned vocal jazz ensemble Afro Blue, a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, and a recipient of the ASCAP Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Award.
Since graduating in May 2025, I’ve continued to grow as a performer, composer, and emerging arts leader. Over the past year, I’ve remained active in the DMV arts scene, appearing in local jazz festivals, and I’m scheduled to perform at the Alexandria Jazz Festival this June. I also continue performing with The Sam Bonds Chorale, which was recently recognized at the 2026 Wammie Awards for Best Gospel/Inspirational Song.
This next step is a major one.
I’ve been admitted to New York University Steinhardt, where I will pursue a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance (Musical Theatre), along with an Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy. In addition, I’ve been selected to perform in the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival—an incredible opportunity to train, perform, and connect with artists from around the world.
As part of this experience, I will be performing in the opera Rise by Kamala Sankaram in the role of Officer Victoria, continuing to expand my work in both classical and contemporary performance spaces.
Alongside my performance and academic pursuits, I am continuing to develop my long-term vision for Zhanna’s Palace, a jazz-centered performance space that brings together music, dining, and community, with a focus on supporting emerging Black artists.
These opportunities are exciting, but they also come with real financial demands. Between tuition, housing, travel, and the cost of living in New York City, the expenses add up quickly.
I’m raising funds to help cover the cost of my education, support my participation in the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, and make a stable transition into living and studying in New York.
Every contribution, no matter the size, directly supports my ability to continue training, performing, and building a sustainable career in the arts.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
View my work below !
Angel Eyes- Matt Dennis
1+1 - KayaZhanna Donaldson & Afro Blue
Back to Before- Ragtime
Allerseelen- Richard Strauss
Black Samba-KayaZhanna Donaldson
TIERED BREAKDOWN:
NYU Graduate School (Estimated Costs for 1 Year)
Tuition (Steinhardt): $60,000 – $70,000
Fees & supplies: $2,000
Subtotal: ~$65,000 – $75,000
Cost of Living in New York City (Student)
Rent: $1,200–$2,000/month → $14,000–$24,000/year
Food & groceries: $4,000–$6,000
Transportation: $1,500
Misc. (clothing, essentials, emergencies): $3,000
Subtotal: ~$22,000 – $34,000
Hawaii Performing Arts Festival
Tuition/Program Fee: $3,000–$5,000
Flight: $800–$1,200
Housing/Meals: $1,500–$2,500
Subtotal: ~$5,500 – $8,500
Performance & Career Expenses
Headshots / materials: $500–$1,000
Audition travel & prep: $1,000–$2,000
Subtotal: ~$1,500 – $3,000