The musicians will work with students and give performances during their three-day visits in March and April.
New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development presents musicians Brandy Clark and Allison Russell as the 2023-24 NYU Americana Artists-in-Residence. Clark will engage with students and faculty March 11-13 and Russell will follow April 8-10.
NYU’s Americana Artist-in-Residence began in 2021-22 with Rosanne Cash, and continued last year with bluesman Taj Mahal. A joint effort of Steinhardt and the Americana Music Association Foundation, the residencies aim to spotlight Americana music’s heritage, preserve its legacy, and ensure its future.
“We are honored to have these two outstanding artists join us this spring,” said NYU Steinhardt Dean Jack H. Knott. “Our community will benefit greatly from their performances and their advice and counsel to our students and faculty. Thank you to our partner, the Americana Music Association, for bringing these terrific musicians to Steinhardt.”
Clark won her first Grammy Award last month as Best Americana Performance for “Dear Insecurity,” a song featuring Brandi Carlile that is on Clark’s self-titled album. Released last year, the album was named to many “Best of 2023” lists and praised as an Americana masterpiece. Clark is also a renowned songwriter whose work has been recorded by Carlile, Alicia Keys, and Kacey Musgraves. Working with longtime collaborator Shane McAnally, Clark co-wrote the music and lyrics for Shucked, the critically-acclaimed Broadway musical comedy that last year earned seven Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical Score.
Russell is a Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, activist, and multi-instrumentalist. Her second album, The Returner, released last year, is described as “a soulful expression of Black liberation, Black love, and Black self-respect." It was nominated for four Grammy Awards. Russell’s first solo album, Outside Child, won the Juno Award (Canadian Music Awards) for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year and was named the 2022 Americana Music Association's Album of the Year.
Each residency features performances and class workshops on composing, performance, copyright, and other topics. Both residencies open with Words and Music, a conversation with Phil Galdston, director of the songwriting program in the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions.
About NYU Steinhardt
Located in the heart of New York City’s Greenwich Village, NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development prepares students for careers in the arts, education, health, media and psychology. Since its founding in 1890, the Steinhardt School's mission has been to advance the education, health and wellbeing of people in New York and around the world. To learn more about NYU Steinhardt, visit steinhardt.nyu.edu.