artist bio

Kai Simone has over twenty years experience as a director, producer, musician, performing artist, radio personality, and teacher. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theater Directing and Design from the University of Illinois-Chicago, with coursework in music theory, composition and voice technique.

Kai taught arts integration classes at Columbia College in Chicago and produced several plays, including A Raisin in the Sun, The Wiz, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, Aesop & the Fabulous Fable Sisters and an original Kwanzaa musical, Imani and the Magic Drum.

In Milwaukee, Kai and musical director Emmanuel Turner founded Skai Academy of the Performing Arts in 2012, providing an opportunity for aspiring youth from various backgrounds and abilities to engage in an intense yet fun learning experience through coaching and performances. Participation in Skai Academy offers youth life lessons in character development, self-respect, responsibility, goal setting and teamwork.

The Skai Performing Arts Academy and the Skai Stage Band, a youth fusion/cover band comprised of young vocalists and instrumentalists, 10-16 years old, from various cultural backgrounds, well known for its diverse musical style, have reached over 3,000 students through workshops and performances in both Milwaukee and Madison.

artist statement

Skai Academy of the Performing Arts is an opportunity for aspiring youth from various backgrounds and abilities to engage in an intense yet fun learning experience through professional coaching and performances.

Participation in Skai Academy offers youth life lessons in character development, self-respect, responsibility, goal-setting and teamwork.

As artist, we believe that our creative talents can be used as a voice to support the betterment of all humanity!