Randy Preston, an African Native American is a singer, composer, educator and storyteller, raised and educated in the UK and Kenya. After teaching English literature and writing for 18 years, he spent nearly 10 years touring with Kwame Alexander, visiting over 700 schools throughout 6 different countries and 48 of the 50 U.S. states. During that time, he wrote and performed original music for the Adventure Academy show, WordPlay with Kwame Alexander, for ABC Mouse, including original compositions, Happy Kwanzaa, and Earth Day.

He was thrilled to present his original score for the musical, Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Boogie: starring Indigo Blume, with the book by the amazing Mary Rand Hess, and played the role of Acoustic Rooster/Dad in the Kennedy Center’s Theater for Young Audiences debut in November of 2022. Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Boogie: starring Indigo Blume went on a Kennedy Center national tour in 2023 where the show was experienced by over 18,000 patrons nationwide.

Preston starred in the Kennedy Center’s limited episode series, Songbook, where he wrote and performed with selected young poets. This show debuted in January of 2023.

He was very excited at the publication of his picture book collaboration with Alexander titled, How to Sing a Song, released in the fall of 2024. This book was awarded a Kirkus starred review, and a CBC Best Book of 2025 recognition.

He is currently composing original music for an adaptation of the award winning documentary, Love Them First, partnering with the amazing playwright, Candrice Jones, and supported by Theater Latte Da, in Minneapolis Minnesota.

In September, his newest book release takes place. Tales from Bird Mountain School published by Free Spirit Publishing, is a collaboration with his writing partner, Mary Rand Hess. Consisting of a trio of picture books with a score and a script attached to each, the ‘mini musicals’ serve as a lovely transition from story to theater and provide teachers and parents ready-made theatrical performance and reading materials for hours of edutainment.

Preston serves as the Artist-in-Residence at WRI, supporting the Forest Restoration Communications team and is leading out with the development of the Restoration Artist Network, a global collaborative of artists dedicated to raising awareness and activating engagement in various Restore Local landscapes and throughout WRI’s international spaces.