Kokayi Jones, Trumpeter

Kokayi Jones, a 15 year old trumpeter, is a sophomore at Friend’s Central School (FCS). He started playing the trumpet at the age of 10, studying with Greg Tsafos at Settlement Music School. He is currently studying with Alex Serio, still at Settlement Music School. He has also had private lessons with Najib Wong and Benjamin Wright. 

Kokayi was accepted into the Philadelphia Sinfonia, a two-level symphony orchestra, at 13. That same year, he joined the Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth (PMAY). This year,  he was accepted into Bravo Brass, an all-brass ensemble sponsored by the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Primavera Fund, an organization that financially supports young musicians and artists in their musical experiences. Kokayi has attended the New England Trumpet Seminar and the Philadelphia International Music Festival over the summer. He also qualified for the Silver level of the 2020 Golden Key Music Festival Competition.

Kokayi found a way to project his true colors through the trumpet. It’s a way to be heard when the world doesn’t listen. He has always been passionate about music, whether he loves or despises it. He believes that music is powerful. It can tell a story or setting; it can make one feel happy or sad. He believes that music can make a change in this world.