PhD, MDiv, MA, BM

Olufemi ‘Femi’ Gonsalves Knight embodies a defiance of racial, cultural, and gender
stereotypes and barriers. She was the only woman in her graduating class to complete
a Bachelor of Music degree in Contemporary Writing and Production from Berklee
College of Music. The scenario has since continued throughout her education and
music performance experiences. Breaking the infamously biased assumption that Black
women in music are only good singers, Dr. Gonsalves Knight is proof that women of her
background can also be true, self-actualized musicians. Coming from a family legacy of
creative and free-spirited women musicians, her musical career spans nearly four
decades and encompasses all genres as a vocalist, composer, producer, and
songwriter. She specializes in World Beat, Jazz, Gospel, European and African
American Classical, Blues, and Afro- Caribbean music.

A native of South Florida, she began her professional singing career at age 14 when
she was part of the choir on Foreigner’s 1980s hit “I Want to Know What Love Is” during
their 1985 tour. Since then, she has performed with Dale Bozzio, Paula Cole, Brian
McKnight, Sergio Mendes, Engelbert Humperdinck, The Black-Eyed Peas, Shirley
Caesar, Patti Austin, Harvey Mason, Don Grusin, Bill Cunliffe, Abraham Laboriel Sr.,
Erykah Badu, John Legend, Bill Cantos, Michael Paulo, Kleber Jorge, Justo Almario,
Carlitos Del Puerto Jr., Freddie Washington, Jorge Ben Jor, Ernie Watts, and India Arie.
As a member of the Hollywood Film Chorale, she performed at the Academy Awards
and in commercials for the NBA playoffs. Her teaching journey began as a piano
instructor for Yamaha School of Music, which led to teaching music on the K-12 and
college/ university levels.

In 2025, she accepted the Musicians Institute’s invitation to return after taking a hiatus
to focus on writing and graduate studies. Prior to her time away, she taught the
following courses at the Musicians Institute: Ear Training, Music Theory, Vocal
Ensemble, Vocal Performance, Bachelor Ensemble, Songwriting, Creativity Workshop,
Gospel Choir, Brazilian Vocals, Blues Vocal, R&B Vocal, World Beat Performance,
Gospel Performance, keyboard, Vocal Creativity, Jazz Vocals, Artist Development,
Sight Singing, and Philosophy.

Dr. Gonsalves Knight is an interdisciplinary artist and scholar who enjoys sharing her
gifts for the purpose of creating a better world. She presently devotes most of her time
to writing, contributing to books, podcasts, periodical/journals, and devotionals on
theology, art, literature, and mental health.