Artist Spotlight: Cocoa Keys

“Music is such a strong force of light and goodness. I want to share it with as many people as possible.”

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Cocoa Keys

Devon White and Olivia Carrington, also known as Cocoa Keys, met at San Francisco's The Battery, where they went from hostesses to the main event. They've been performing throughout the Bay Area ever since, and became teaching artists to spread their music even further. 

Both women grew up in environments abundant with music and musicians. Olivia's father religiously played bass and guitar while her mom sang in the church choir. Even her brother was busy producing beats, and her house was full of music and vibrancy. At seven years old, her parents signed her up for piano lessons as a stepping stone toward guitar, but she realized piano was the instrument she wanted to pursue. From there she worked gigs as a pianist, often in jazz and classical scenes, while also joining a band she still occasionally performs with today.

Olivia

Devon was similarly shaped by her dad, a songwriter, trumpet player, and guitarist. As an African American woman, she spoke about how deeply music ties into her culture, and how the people in her life recognized her talent early. She went on to study music and audio in college, sing classical music, and even audition for American Idol. 

Growing up in homes that encouraged and cultivated artistic talent, Devon and Olivia now keep that spirit in mind when they teach. Cocoa Keys have been teaching artists at Bay Area Creative since 2020, where they encourage students to write and perform. They build lesson plans that cover the more technical aspects of music alongside the freedom to write about whatever students want. They want every student to feel good putting words on the page, whether serious or silly. As Olivia puts it, "we also like to write silly songs that make us laugh, that are catchy, that are fun." Cocoa Keys believe that all art has value: even a simple, goofy song carries the joy of creating and sharing something. Their goal is to give students the musical tools, resources, and knowledge to know that if they want to pursue music, they can.

Devon

"It's always rewarding to share your art and share your talent with folks."

Teaching gave Cocoa Keys the chance to give back to their community and impact young people, and it also deepened their own understanding of music, making them better artists in the process. As a duo, their most memorable career milestone was their first wedding gig at Sea Ranch. What made it especially meaningful was that the couple getting married had worked alongside them at The Battery. Devon called it a "full-circle" moment, a realization of how her gift could bring people together and contribute to something larger than a performance. Being woven into someone else's love story made it an incredibly special experience for the duo.

Cocoa Keys continue to perform at weddings, social clubs, bars, and events throughout the Bay Area. They keep their work intentionally local, focused on the people around them who truly matter. As two women of color, they're especially committed to working within their communities to uplift other women of color in the music industry. Through Bay Area Creative, they help cultivate talent in students who may not have had the same artistic support growing up. In a culture that increasingly undervalues art, Cocoa Keys are a reminder of just how much music matters and how much it means to put it in the hands of kids who need it.

"The world, they don't always give artists our flowers, and we contribute so much to the beauty of society."