vocal Versatility

Mix opera, with a little soul, a pinch of jazz and scoop of R&B to make a delicious musical gumbo. That’s a favorite dish of New Orleans native A. Renee (born Ashley Renee Watkins) and also the perfect recipe to describe her sound. A. Renee is a classically trained vocalist who keeps the many layers of her sound present in her music.

The New Orleans artist has been based in New York City since 2014 – the year she appeared on NBC’s America’s Got Talent with her opera and multi-genre duo ACTE II. A. Renee released her first EP project “Roux” in the fall of 2019 with a nod to the fusion Neo Soul genre. It captures the many experiences and narratives of A. Renee as an artist and a black woman of today. A. Renee continues to sing the many genres she loves – from Opera to R&B – and has enjoyed appearing at diverse venues from Rockwood Music Hall and Radio City Music Hall to Carnegie Hall. A. Renee is also a sought after arts education facilitator, teaching diverse music sessions for Lincoln Center's online "Pop-Up Classrooms" as well as consulting with arts institutions around the country on equitable and inclusive practices. She currently works as a full-time Music Curriculum Specialist for the The Juilliard School creating music engagement for students and educators around the world. She holds a master’s degree in voice & operatic performance.