Alumni News · October 29, 2026
Alumni Spotlight: From SOCAPA to The X Factor and Beyond: Khaya Cohen’s Music Journey
A SOCAPA Music NYC alum and former staff member, Khaya Cohen has built a career as a singer, songwriter, and producer, from The X Factor to fronting synth-pop band Moon Kissed and collaborating with major recording artists.
In the summer of 2013, Khaya Cohen attended SOCAPA’s Music program in New York City. Just months later, the 16-year-old singer was on national television, winning over the judges on FOX’s The X Factor USA. Today she is a singer, songwriter, producer and instrumentalist whose work spans indie rock, synth-pop and collaborations with major recording artists.
From SOCAPA to The X Factor
Khaya’s audition for Season 3 of The X Factor was unforgettable. When Simon Cowell stopped her first song, she switched to Nina Simone’s “I Put a Spell on You” and earned a standing ovation, four yes votes and comparisons to Amy Winehouse and Adele. Mentored by Demi Lovato, she went on to reach the show’s Top 10. Watch her audition above.
Award-winning songwriter
Khaya went on to NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, graduating in 2019. In 2015 she was one of three national winners of the BMI Foundation’s John Lennon Scholarship for her original song “Sky Might Fall.”
Her songwriting and production credits include Lil Yachty, Ruth B and Quinn XCII, and she has written with Carly Rae Jepsen, Ingrid Michaelson and Joji.
Fronting Moon Kissed
Khaya is the lead vocalist of Moon Kissed, a New York City synth-pop trio with bandmates Elijah Scarpati and Em Sgouros. Blending indie rock, electronic pop and punk, the band has released multiple albums and toured the United States. Their third album, I’ll See You In New York (Final Girl Records, 2024), features “101,” “Cycles” and “Do You Miss Me Yet?”, with Khaya on vocals, songwriting and production.
Coming full circle
Khaya didn’t just attend SOCAPA as a student. She later returned as a SOCAPA staff member, bringing her professional experience back to the community where she spent a summer as a young artist. We’re so proud to count her among our alumni and former staff, and we can’t wait to hear what she makes next.
Take a trip down memory lane: watch Khaya’s original SOCAPA Student Artist Profile.
