Leyla McCalla Launches Residency with Inspiring Cali Midweek Event

The Cali School of Music officially welcomed acclaimed singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist Leyla McCalla as its 2025–2026 Artist-in-Residence during a special event held on Wednesday, September 10, in Leshowitz Recital Hall.

Part of the Cali Midweek Series, the evening featured both a concert and an engaging conversation between McCalla and Cali School Director Shea Scruggs, offering audiences a rare glimpse into the creative life of a celebrated artist. The discussion explored themes of heritage, storytelling, and the power of music to inspire cultural understanding and social change.

A multilingual musician and master of the cello, tenor banjo, and guitar, McCalla is known for blending Haitian roots, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, American folk traditions, and socially conscious songwriting. Her music reflects her Haitian heritage, classical training, and the vibrant cultural traditions of the African diaspora.

In addition to her acclaimed solo career, McCalla is a founding member of the renowned group Our Native Daughters, alongside Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, and Allison Russell, and a former member of the Grammy Award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops.

McCalla’s residency at the Cali School will offer students unique opportunities to learn from her artistry and experience firsthand how music can bridge cultures and histories.

Stay tuned for more programs and performances with McCalla throughout the 2025–2026 academic year.