María José Montijo Esotérica Tropical (María José Montijo), a queer Boricua bruja, defies boundaries with her show-stopping voice, intuitive folk harp, Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba rhythms, and electronic innovation. Her music challenges colonial mentality while championing sovereignty and surrealism. In 2009, destiny bestowed a Celtic harp upon Esotérica Tropical on a…
Gregory Messa Gregory Messa is a freelance percussionist affiliated with the American Federation of Musicians. He has recently performed with the Eco Ensemble at UC Berkeley, The Symphony of the Hills, and the San Antonio Opera and Ballet. Greg plays congas and percussion with 'Los Nahuatlatos', a band dedicated to…
Kareen King Kareen King, founder of The Golden Experience, is a compassionate and creative professional dedicated to enhancing the lives of aging adults and their care partners. As a Registered Drama Therapist, Keynote Speaker, and Creative Engagement Specialist, Kareen cultivates cultures that love, validate, and engage individuals in supportive living.…
Shawna Potter Shawna Potter is an activist, educator, Intimacy Coordinator, and the lead singer of the Baltimore feminist punk band, War On Women. Through her music and her work, Shawna has been empowering people to make their community more fun and inclusive for over a decade. She created the Safer…
Namel Norris Namel “TapWaterz” Norris, the paraplegic hip-hop artist, has become a beacon of hope for those who face adversity, using his music to speak out against social injustices and inspire people to never give up. With an impressive resume that includes speaking at the White House, performing at the…
Shumaila Hemani Shumaila Hemani, Ph.D. (University of Alberta) is an ethnomusicologist, Sufi singer, soundscape composer, and former Music Faculty (Semester at Sea) whose work bridges music, mental health, and climate justice. She has been a keynote speaker and performer at the Map the Systems Canada Finals (Mount Royal University, 2024)…
Kristen Camp Kristen Camp is a dynamic singer and songwriter from Columbia, Missouri. She has classical vocal training, has her MA in Curriculum and Instruction (K-6) from the University of Missouri, and has been singing and songwriting in the band, The January Lanterns, with her husband, Andrew, for seven years.…
Precious Perez Precious Perez, also known as “the blind reggaetonera” is a new artist with American and Latin roots. Born in Boston to a Puerto Rican family and currently a resident of Kentucky, Precious is entering her new musical era after graduating with a double major in Music Education and…
Andrea Wise Smith Andrea Wise Smith is a multi-disciplinary mission driven creative that works at the intersections of musical expression, place-based education, equitable community development, and collective liberation. As a singer and songwriter, Andrea draws from her cultural heritage as an African American woman in the Black Diaspora. Andrea’s melodic and…
Steven Arrowtopknot Steven Arrowtopknot, from Browning, Montana, is a musician and cultural advocate with over 20 years of experience in powwow and round dance music. Steven creates, records, mixes, and masters music for himself and many other Native American artists. His hard work and talent earned him a Grammy nomination…
