Marie-Isabelle Pautz Marie-Isabelle Evangeline Pautz is a second-generation culture bearer. She grew up immersed in Louisiana French, bartering economies, and folkways with her grandparents, who lived across the street from her. Since 2002, Marie-Isabelle has led programs and initiatives at EarthShare Gardens, Lafayette Hurricane Survivors Coalition, Center for Restorative Approaches,…
Rachel Dungan Rachel Dungan is a musician, composer, and curator at the intersection of sound, storytelling, and social impact. A classically-trained pianist and solo/ensemble vocalist, she performs nationally and internationally with various groups (Essence of Joy Alumni Singers, Urban Jazz, the Philadelphia Singers, Shades of Blue, CANTATICA, Centre Dimensions). She…
Kennedy Pugh Kennedy Pugh is founder of Music for the Cause, a mission‑driven music collective that began as a grassroots effort to spotlight suicide prevention and has since evolved into a powerful amplifier for health equity and social‑justice issues affecting communities of color. Blending soulful performance, personal storytelling, and collaborative…
DeShaun Gordon-King Known for his soulful tone and mesmerizing phrasing, Trevor James Alto Flute Artist Díjí Kay (née DeShaun Gordon-King) has given performances as a soloist and principal flute in Europe, Asia, and throughout the United States. Díjí Kay grew up surrounded by griot traditions, jazz and gospel music. Inspired…
JennyRebecca Opera singer and Berlin-based singer-songwriter JennyRebecca Ronning has earned praise from institutions such as the New York Times, where critic Anne Midgette wrote that “JennyRebecca showed a lovely, smooth voice that matched her poise.” An artist of uncommon range and depth, she moves fluidly between classical performance, contemporary songwriting,…
Shakeenah Fentis Shakeenah is a grandmother and long-time NW Arkansas resident. She grew up in NY, singing from age four and attending extensive creative arts classes, including musicals, dance and drama with The Harlem Children’s Theatre Co. and The Henry Street Settlement House. After high school and a year of…
Vidya Ramachandhiramani Vidya Ramachandhiramani is a software engineer and Carnatic singer from the South of India. She has been an instructor and practitioner of Carnatic music for many years and the founder of Sadhana Fine Arts—a music school dedicated in promoting and teaching South Indian classical music—Carnatic Vocal and Veena—in…
Kate Rose Fiddler, interactive performer, and Irish dance leader Kate Rose plays from a rooted, heartfelt tradition learned from her years among the fiddling farmers of County Clare, Ireland. Her performances captivate audiences of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, as she gets them to laugh, clap along, and learn a…
Idasa Tariq Idasa Tariq is a Hip Hop teaching artist and multi-media operator living in Pittsburgh, PA via Binghamton, NY. Located in Pittsburgh since 2013, Idasa teaches primarily black youth media literacy and music production. Currently, he is creative director of Guardians of Sound's Hip Hop Orchestra and a teaching…
Brenda Atencio G Precious is a multi-Award winning Artist from Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico. She began creative writing at the age of 6, as a means to deal with the dynamics seen throughout her life - alcoholism, drugs, depression, suicide, loss, love and reservation life. Her music will take you…
