About

Markeisha Ensley is a New York based composer-lyricist, performer and teaching artist that loves using her artistry to entertain, educate and uplift. She has received several awards for her songwriting, including the Abe Olman Scholarship Award for Excellence in Songwriting from the Songwriters Hall of Fame/Songwriters Guild of America and she has been recognized by BMI/Songwriters Association of Washington, performing at the Smithsonian Museum. Influenced by her gospel, soul and jazz roots, Markeisha combines her love of music and storytelling to write and sing songs and create theatre that give voice to the depths of the human experience.

Currently, Markeisha is working on a children’s musical adaptation and an original musical, which tells the story of the residents of Seneca Village, the African American, German and Irish immigrant community that was razed to build New York’s Central Park. Markeisha has created several one-woman concert shows, performing the music of Nina Simone and showcasing the evolution of black music from early gospel to present day soul/R&B. 

As a performer, Markeisha has released 2 albums, toured in Japan and Europe and regularly performs in the NYC and Hudson Valley areas. One of her favorite teaching artist residencies of late is working with non-profit Music For All Seasons, where she facilitates songwriting workshops with veterans and teens in detention centers, bringing together her passions for songwriting and community service. Markeisha is a member of the Recording Academy, Actor’s Equity, ASCAP and Maestra Music. She is a graduate of the Circle in the Square Theatre School – Musical Theatre Acting Program and received a Bachelor of Music from NYU in Music Business.