Nkeiru Okoye

A composer, conductor and a performer. She has works programmed by the Virgina, Detroit, New Jersey and Richmond Symphonies. American born Nigeria African heritage, she has received many awards and honors, including an ASCAP foundation, young composer award. She received her Bachelor's in music composition from the Oberlin conversatory of music and M.A. and Ph.D Music Theory and Composition from Rutgers Univerisity.

Okoye is currently Assistant Professor of music at Morgan State University in Baltimore.

Biographical Information

Expertise: Composer, conductor, music consultant, public speaker. Nkeiru writes contemporary concert music and helps organizations create artistic events that reach and attract diverse audiences.

Early Life: Born in New York, NY to African American mother and Nigerian father. Spent early childhood traveling between Nigeria and the US. Raised primarily on Long Island. Began writing music at age 13.

Formal Education: Studied composition at Oberlin Conservatory. Completed additional studies in piano and West African culture. Master’s and Ph.D. from Rutgers University, studying with composer Noel DaCosta.
Press InformationNkeiru Okoye, Composer Home News
February 1999Rutgers Magazine
Fall 1997Baltimore Sun
September 2006Boston Globe
July 2005Select Feature Articles
Click on pictures to view articlesThoughts on Writing Music

“What excites me as a composer is the opportunity to impact a community through writing new works of music and producing multicultural artistic programs. I believe in integrating concert halls through writing about American History and culture, allowing all people to know that they are welcome, and then finding ways for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds to attend.

I see the many commissions soliciting my work for multicultural audience as an opportunity to educate people about African American history and culture. Because these concerts may be a concertgoer’s initial experience with ‘classical’ music, or first exposure to a forgotten part of American history, I feel it is both a privilege and responsibility to incorporate a unifying message into the works I create.