Claudia Rogers

Claudia Rogers is an accomplished and resilient woman who has made her mark as a successful professional pianist.  Overcoming significant obstacles, she turned her passion for music into a thriving business.  As a single mother raising three children, Claudia balanced her personal and professional life while breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry.  Her commitment to her craft and unwavering drive led her to perform globally, collaborate with renowned artists, and build a strong local presence as an outstanding musician.  She is the CEO of Kool Keys Koncepts, a one-stop entertainment conglomerate based in the DC/Metropolitan area.  Founded in 2003, her vision was to make the world more harmonious by bringing people together to share her love of music.

Claudia began studying classical music at Ottley Music School at the tender age of 4.  Her first solo recital was performed at age 6 at Simpson-Hamline Methodist Church in NW Washington DC.  As a child prodigy, she performed for members of Congress on Capitol Hill, and sat the National Guild of Piano auditions every year.  She even traveled to her parents hometown, the island of Jamaica, to perform at West Indies College.  She took her first job at age 12, accompanying the Children’s Choir at Albright Methodist Church.  Throughout her career, she has written original compositions, and toured with international artists such as Salt-n-Pepa, Hi-Five, and Crystal Waters.  Her first church appointment came in 2003 at the historic Bethlehem Baptist Church in Anacostia, Washington DC.  There she served as Minister of Music for over 16 years under Reverend James E. Coates.  She also served at Tabernacle Baptist Church in NE DC as the Director and Accompanist for the Tabernacle Echoes Choir from 2010-2020.  In 2013, she created a unique curriculum to teach Keyboarding at Camp Imagine at Takoma Middle School.  In 2017, she served as the Camp Director for the Music/Arts program at Back to Basics Music Academy in Largo, MD.

Also known as “Kool Keys”, she launched her own t-shirt line in 2016 bearing her trademark stage name.  These musical t-shirts were custom made in fun colors, keyboard logos, and designs using bling lettering.  Her entrepreneurial journey took another step forward in 2025 when she published her life story in a memoir.  Her debut novel, titled Claudia:  The Triumphs and Struggles of A Female Musician, speaks candidly about her journey in music.  Claudia’s story resonates with others who have faced adversity and provides inspiration for pursuing dreams, no matter the challenges.  Her memoir, which showcases her resilience and determination, is not just a recount of her journey, but also a message of empowerment for others, particularly women in the music industry.

She has played for a number of bands in the DMV,  to include  Pleasure, 4YP, Rejuvenation, Syxx, Sounds of Incline, Exquisite, Waterseed and Wildflower.  She accomplished a 15-year run with Bela Dona, the phenomenal all-female go-go band.  Influences of classical, jazz, rhythm & blues, Neo soul, pop, gospel, reggae and go-go music are evident in her unique playing style.  

She is known for her ability to play 2 keyboards simultaneously, and being a master at playing “auxiliary parts”.

Currently she serves as Faculty Piano and Voice Teacher at Ottley Music School (since 2018).  She also serves as Music Director at the prestigious Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. (since 2023).

“Music is my life.  It enriches my soul and cleanses my spirit.  I could not live without music for it is my gift.  My goal is to always use my gift to glorify God.  This has been an incredible journey!  Thank you, Lord, for giving me the gift of music.”