Vents Magazine

Abiodun Koya — Soprano to the Stars

[as originally published on ventsmagazine.com]

Abiodun Koya is a Nigerian-born classical singer, poet, and humanitarian who’s performed for US Presidents (Barack Obama, George W. Bush), Nigerian Kings, and World Ambassadors.

The youngest of five children, Abiodun grew up in southwest Nigeria where she started her music career at age six playing violin and singing at church and birthday celebrations. She’s since gone on to perform in such iconic settings as The White House, Madison Square Garden, and the Democratic National Convention. And Abiodun remains one of the few female African singers classically trained in opera while also well versed in jazz, oldies, Broadway, and gospel. 

Through her non-profit, The Abiodun Koya Foundation, Abiodun mentors at-risk children in Nigeria and the United States utilizing her Music Literacy Program Initiative. Part of her work in Nigeria also includes visiting female inmates in prison, encouraging them through music, gifts, motivational speeches, and raising funds to help them start small businesses once released.

We caught up with songstress to discuss her influences, philanthropic work, performing for world leaders, and what’s on the horizon for her.

What first inspired your interest in singing?

The alluring sounds of the orchestra, the classical music that played almost 24/7 in our house growing up, and the songs that blasted on the radio all inspired me to dabble in such sweet artistry.

Whom would you consider your influences?

Nat King Cole, Vangelis, Louis Armstrong, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Hans Zimmer, and Ella Fitzgerald.

How many languages do you speak?

Two languages. Yoruba (from my tribe in Nigeria) and English.

You have performed for world leaders such as US Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, as well as esteemed African leaders and world ambassadors. What was it like when you first learned of your involvement with those engagements? What role do you see your artistic gifts playing in the international scene?

I was so excited I could barely sleep! I immediately called my voice teacher on the phone to tell of the good news and schedule a series of coaching sessions with her. And then the choice of songs I was to sing immediately went on repeat to drill them into my head! Being one of the few African sopranos, I felt like this was my opportunity to make an impact with this audience and give them another perspective regarding what Africans can accomplish. It has been a dream of mine to do global tours singing in different languages with my music touching on the “world music” genre.

It may well be a long story, but what was your path from Nigeria to Madison Square Garden?

Applying tenacity and hard work, I had established a reputation within Nigeria and the US as a credible performer. In advance of a notable boxing match at the Garden between a Nigerian boxer and US boxer, the Nigerian embassy in the US invited me to sing the Star-Spangled Banner and the Nigerian anthem. It was an amazing invitation. I had one job to do that night and I feel that I did it exceedingly well!

At what point did you decide you wanted to be a singer?

My dad had studied in both the US and the UK in late 60s/early 70s. Coming back home as an international student, he brought with him many vintage vinyl records from the classical, country and gospel genres. He constantly played those records in the house and years later I was born into a home filled with music playing practically 24/7. By the age of three, I responded to the music being played and began to imitate the singers on the record by singing along. By age six I knew that I wanted to be a singer-songwriter when I grew up. Soon after I started singing at birthday events, designed clothing patterns for my dolls, wrote song lyrics, and learned how to play the violin.

You do a lot of inspiring work visiting the imprisoned in Nigeria. At what point did you feel called to such humanitarian work? Have your visits to these women inspired you in new ways of understanding the world and society? Do you believe the world should understand those who are imprisoned differently than they conventionally may?

Aside from children and the elderly, the people I have the most compassion for are female inmates. Visiting these women has opened my eyes extensively because I could see that circumstantial reasons differed with them. Circumstances like upbringing, misinformation, ignorance, immaturity, folly, desire to be loved and accepted, psychological states, financial states — all factors that led to irrevocable actions from inmates. Ultimately I realized never to judge anyone, even when you walk in the same shoes, because personal strength can vary. That said, there are people who are genuinely evil, which is a different story entirely. I have zero compassion for such people in that category.

In what ways has your work visiting these inmates been rewarding? Are there particular former inmates who have reformed their lives whom you especially believe the world should know about?

I know very strongly what it feels like to have someone help, visit, or listen to me in dire times. The calming and re-assuring psychological effect this has on the inmates is a bountiful reward on its own. I think this alone can make people, even strangers, a bit more hopeful. On one of my visits to the women’s ward I gave an inspirational speech, sang for them, and met one-on-one with some of them afterwards. I noticed some were uneducated but were gifted with strong business acumen. So I advocated for them with some of my corporate sponsors and patrons and helped secure funds with which to start small businesses. These women are now doing wonderfully well in the society. They are present for their children, raising them well as single parents and role models, while also thriving as small business owners.

Nigeria is the most populated nation in Africa and is in the top 10 most populated nations in the world. As the nation increases in prominence and influence, do you think the role of the nation on a global scale will evolve in the coming years? How so?

I think the role of my home country will evolve because there is an explosion of enlightenment and critical thinking and freedom. According to surveys, in the US alone Nigerians are the most educated immigrants in the country. Most of her citizens no longer walk with a victim or restrained mentality. This current generation wants advancement for their communities, the nation, and the world at large. They no longer rely on what’s being passed down to them from past generations and the confines of educational institutions; they are curious and ambitious, hence they explore and carry out new findings to create global impact.

Can you tell us about any upcoming projects? What’s on the horizon for you?

For 2022, I am planning the Los Angeles version of the reprise of my Sci-Fi original musical “Future Symphony, Days of the Avenger.” Also, I am launching my poetry book “The Moods of a Goddess” on the 22nd of December this year alongside my wellness-inspiring T-shirt line.