MEET THE ARTISTS
May Gilead offer a transcendent and healing presence, meeting you exactly where you are, exactly as you are.
R. “Jay” Allbright
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R. “Jay” Allbright
R. “Jay” Allbright is a New York jazz musician/therapist influenced by the works of John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Duke Ellington. She was a child prodigy who at the tender age of nine won 1st prize at the Apollo Theater Amateur Hour, three times. As a musician/therapist, Ms. Allbright’s philosophy of jazz has a spiritual and healing power that closely reflects the beliefs of her mentor, Mary Lou Williams. While employed at the University of Cincinnati Department of Psychiatry, she developed and directed the Specific Cultural Art Therapy (SCAT) Program for African American clients with a history of substance abuse and mental illness.
Earl Blaize
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Earl Blaize
Still longing for his home-world, Earl Blaize has made a home here on the area of terra firma known as Brooklyn NY. As an audio producer, sound engineer and sound designer, if sound waves are involved, he's surely manipulated it in some form or fashion. His range of influences run the gamut from hip-hop, classical, jazz, rock, folk, reggae, dance....to scores, soundtracks, plays...to the sounds of nature and the unnatural sounds of technology. As a producer, extracting a convincing performance from an artist vocally, musically or otherwise is of the utmost importance--this is the cornerstone of his ethos. Hopefully, with every song he accomplishes this goal.
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Eric Blanquicet
Eric is a Panamanian musician, educator, and percussionist born in Colón, Panama. He is very active within local and global music communities, having played with acclaimed Panamanian singer Rubén Blades as well as at the New England Conservatory and Berklee Global Jazz Institute. Eric is very proud of his Panamanian roots and is the current facilitator and co-founder of the Full Moon Drum Project with the Panamanian musician, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Alfredo Hidrovo; together they have been spreading joy and happiness through drumming for 10 years throughout Panama and beyond.
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Dr. Josepha Campinha-Bacote
Dr. Campinha-Bacote is the President and Founder of Transcultural C.A.R.E. Associates, a private consultation service which focuses on clinical, administrative, research, and educational issues in transcultural health care and mental health. Dr. Campinha-Bacote is also a flutist, having played the flute for over six decades, and has both conducted research and published several articles on the topic of ethnomusic therapy.
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Ro Godwynn
Ro Godwynn is a musician and activist local to New Haven and seeks to create moments and spaces of healing through music. After recovering from Covid-19, Ro made a vow to continue to connect with their following in different ways, keeping wellness at the forefront of their mission. They started making natural and sustainable skincare products, combining their love of healing, self-care, and the planet. As they continue to create, Ro hopes to galvanize their audience to choose self-care and healing.
Tammy Jeremie
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Tammy Jeremie
Thamanaï Jeremie is the mother of two wonderful children, and is a singer-songwriter and cultural worker. As an educational provider and the author of the children’s book, “Kindergarten with Charlie”, Thamanaï deals with themes of social anxiety and learning as a memoir of her overcoming early learning obstacles.
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The JuJu Exchange
The JuJu Exchange is a musical partnership of three childhood friends from Chicago: Nico Segal, Julian Reid and Nova Zaii. They create exploratory and nuanced music that call us all to wonder and trust. Their music, mostly instrumental, blends acoustic and digital instruments to further meaningful exchange among seemingly disparate cultures. They hope their music inspires the listener to participate in the kinds of exchange the world desperately needs.
The JuJu Exchange made their two tracks, "Transition & Waiting" and "Resilience", as part of their JazzRx series. Housed on their subscription service Patreon, this series is an effort from the band to engage their audience in a trust-building exercise by responding to prompts from your life with original music.
Sydney Mukasa
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Sydney Mukasa
Sydney Mukasa is a tenor, pianist, and conductor from Owings Mills, Maryland. He received his bachelor’s degree in Music from Harvard University in 2018, and is currently enrolled at Yale Institute of Sacred Music, pursuing a master’s degree in Choral Conducting. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Sydney spent two years working in administration for the artistic department at Boston Lyric Opera. While living in Boston, Sydney was also an active singer with several Boston choral ensembles including Triad, Voices 21C, and Analog Chorale. The intersection of vocal music and theatre continues to be a main source of Sydney’s fascination and inspiration, and he looks forward to lending his training and diverse experience to the exploration of new works for musical theatre, opera, and orchestra.
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Nedelka Prescod
Nedelka F. Prescod is a multi-genre vocalist, singer-songwriter, arranger, and producer. The daughter of proud Panamanians and a joyful mother, Nedelka unapologetically reps her Brooklyn card. With over 25 years of experience teaching in a range of educational settings, while simultaneously evolving as a performing and recording artist, Nedelka finds herself now in seminary at Yale Divinity School.
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Deborah Stephens
Deborah Stephens graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia in December 2019 with a Bachelors of Music in Voice Performance. She is currently in the Master of Music in Early Music, Oratorio, & Chamber Ensemble program at Yale University, projected graduation Spring 2022. Deborah currently performs with professional choral ensembles such as Kinnara, Coro Vocati, and the Lake Junaluska Singers, and is a sought after freelance soloist and composer. As a professional soprano, Deborah is frequently invited for solo performances, university speaking engagements, and podcast appearances.