As a composer, pianist, violinist, vocalist, and educator, Butler-Waters takes inspiration from family, cultural memory, faith, and experiences of Black motherhood, seeking to “tell stories of belonging, identity, and love.” Her compositions draw on her study of classical and jazz, blended with gospel and soul influences, and her community-based work often features interdisciplinary collaboration, placing music in conversation with film, spoken word, and performance. Buter-Waters has been a Kimmel Center Jazz Resident, for which she composed a large body of work focused on sacred jazz and the story of the African American experience. Her compositions have been featured on NPR, WRTI, and PBS, among other outlets. Her albums include Faith Walk (2020) and The Commissioned Jawn (2026). She studied piano at Settlement Music School, and she holds a doctorate in educational leadership and administration from Immaculata University, a master’s degree in elementary education from Drexel University, and a dual BA in political science and sociology from Temple University.
