ABLE Voices

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest, and our next guest host, is Tara Allen.

Tara Allen (she/her) identifies as a queer, neurodivergent, and disabled music psychologist, music educator, advocate, and bass clarinetist. She holds a BM in instrumental music education with concentrations in instrumental wind band and bass clarinet from the Crane School of Music (2021), and an MA in psychology of music from the University of Sheffield (2022). Her master’s thesis, “The Bees Are Too Loud!: ADHD’ers Sound Preferences as an Aid Daily Task Completion" focused on how ADHD’ers used sound and/or music to help cope with completion of mundane tasks, and the combined social hardships. Her research areas of interest are: neurodivergence and music perception/cognition, learning, processing, behavior, and accessible music education. She has been advocating for neurodivergent and disabled musicians through a variety of platforms since 2020. She has a podcast, Breaking the Third Wall in Music, that invites disabled and/or neurodivergent musicians to discuss disability topics in the music scene. She has also spoken on the The Brave New Sound and Marching Arts Education. She has also given talks at universities, conferences, and organizations about neurodivergence. Lastly, she is a bass clarinetist and active performer in a variety of contemporary, classical, and popular music ensembles.

The ABLE Voices podcast is produced and edited by BIAAE Operations Coordinator, Daniel Martinez del Campo. The introduction music was written by Kai Levin and the ending song was written by Sebastian Batista. Kai and Sebastian are students in the Arts Education Programs at the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education.

For more information about our programs visit us at https://college.berklee.edu/BIAAE

Follow us for more weekly updates at:
Instagram: @BIAAE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAAE

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Ben Lunn. Ben Lunn is a music composer, conductor, musicologist, teacher and associate artist for Drake Music and Drake Music Scotland. As a composer, Lunn’s music reflects the material world around him, connecting to his North-Eastern heritage or how disability impacts the world around him or his working-class upbringing. Alongside this, he has become renowned for his championship of others, which have seen him creating unique collaborations with musicians from across the globe and developing unique concert experiences and opportunities for others. Today, Ben will be speaking with Sarah Lianne Lewis.

Sarah Lianne Lewis is a Welsh composer crafting vivid and inventive music that bridges tradition and innovation.  Working across the concert hall and stage, she weaves unexpected sonorities into bold soundscapes that captivate and challenge in equal measure. Described as "charming," "haunting," and "imaginative," Sarah’s music often explores themes of connection, climate change, and the natural world, embracing music’s power to create space for discovery and thoughtful dialogue. Her compositions have been praised for their delicate yet powerful music, and performed by leading ensembles, including the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Quatuor Bozzini, the Royal Opera and Ballet, soprano Sarah Maria Sun, Blank Space Ensemble, UPROAR, and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

Follow Ben online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blunnmusic/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/benlunnmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benlunnmusic/

Follow Sarah Lianne Lewis online:
Website: https://www.sarahliannelewis.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_lianne_l/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahliannelewis.composer/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahliannelewis
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/sarahliannelewis

The ABLE Voices podcast is produced and edited by BIAAE Operations Coordinator, Daniel Martinez del Campo. The introduction music was written by Kai Levin and the ending song was written by Sebastian Batista. Kai and Sebastian are students in the Arts Education Programs at the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education.

For more information about our programs visit us at https://college.berklee.edu/BIAAE

Follow us for more weekly updates at:
Instagram: @BIAAE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAAE

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Ben Lunn.

Ben Lunn is a music composer, conductor, musicologist, teacher and associate artist for Drake Music and Drake Music Scotland. As a composer, Lunn’s music reflects the material world around him, connecting to his North-Eastern heritage or how disability impacts the world around him or his working-class upbringing. Alongside this, he has become renowned for his championship of others, which have seen him creating unique collaborations with musicians from across the globe and developing unique concert experiences and opportunities for others. Today Ben will be speaking with Nicholas McCarthy.

Nicholas McCarthy is a British pianist known for being one of the few one-handed concert pianists in the world. Born without his right hand, he has overcome significant challenges to establish an international career, performing in prestigious venues and with renowned orchestras. He is also a sought-after motivational speaker and advocate for musicians with disabilities

Follow Ben online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blunnmusic/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/benlunnmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benlunnmusic/

Follow Nicholas online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholasmccarthyofficial/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NicholasMcCarthyPianist/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/nmccarthypiano
X: https://x.com/NMcCarthyPiano

The ABLE Voices podcast is produced and edited by BIAAE Operations Coordinator, Daniel Martinez del Campo. The introduction music was written by Kai Levin and the ending song was written by Sebastian Batista. Kai and Sebastian are students in the Arts Education Programs at the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education.

For more information about our programs visit us at https://college.berklee.edu/BIAAE

Follow us for more weekly updates at:
Instagram: @BIAAE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAAE

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Ben Lunn. Ben Lunn is a music composer, conductor, musicologist, teacher and associate artist for Drake Music and Drake Music Scotland. As a composer, Lunn’s music reflects the material world around him, connecting to his North-Eastern heritage or how disability impacts the world around him or his working-class upbringing. Alongside this, he has become renowned for his championship of others, which have seen him creating unique collaborations with musicians from across the globe and developing unique concert experiences and opportunities for others. Today, Ben will be speaking with Clare Johnston.

Clare Johnston is a disabled-identifying composer, performer and music technologist. She grew up in the Abled youth music sector playing viola and recorder, but faced access barriers accessing the next level of music education. After a few career changes along the way, in 2009 Clare returned to her first love of music and music education. It is during her work with Drake Music Scotland that she started to experiment with music technology and fall in love with the possibilities offered by iPad apps to create good quality performances with a distinctly Disabled voice. Clare feels it is important for digital instruments to have their own unique voice and compositions which have been designed for their characteristics, and compositions often explore the differences and similarities with acoustic instruments and play to the strengths of each instrument.

Follow Ben online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blunnmusic/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/benlunnmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benlunnmusic/

Follow Clare online:
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/rose-rodent
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clarejohnstonmusic/
Youtube: @clarejohnstonmusic

The ABLE Voices podcast is produced and edited by BIAAE Operations Coordinator, Daniel Martinez del Campo. The introduction music was written by Kai Levin and the ending song was written by Sebastian Batista. Kai and Sebastian are students in the Arts Education Programs at the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education.

For more information about our programs visit us at https://college.berklee.edu/BIAAE

Follow us for more weekly updates at:
Instagram: @BIAAE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAAE

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest and our next guest host is Ben Lunn. Ben Lunn is a music composer, conductor, musicologist, teacher and associate artist for Drake Music and Drake Music Scotland. As a composer, Lunn’s music reflects the material world around him, connecting to his North-Eastern heritage or how disability impacts the world around him or his working-class upbringing. Alongside this, he has become renowned for his championship of others, which have seen him creating unique collaborations with musicians from across the globe and developing unique concert experiences and opportunities for others.

The ABLE Voices podcast is produced and edited by BIAAE Operations Coordinator, Daniel Martinez del Campo. The introduction music was written by Kai Levin and the ending song was written by Sebastian Batista. Kai and Sebastian are students in the Arts Education Programs at the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education.

For more information about our programs visit us at https://college.berklee.edu/BIAAE

Follow us for more weekly updates at:
Instagram: @BIAAE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAAE

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Briana Raucci.

Briana is a Connecticut-based artist, writer, and photographer with multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy. endometriosis, ADHD, and more. Over the years, Briana has self-described as a photographer, photojournalist, writer, graphic designer, UX & product designer, social media manager, artist, etc., but feels none of those titles alone fully embody the creativity she is constantly trying to express in new ways. After in-depth creative exploration, doing both full-time and freelance work for over 13 years, Briana is now freelancing full-time, utilizing all her creative abilities. Being a multi-passionate individual, this has allowed her to balance all of her creative endeavors and add a few more! Since this interview, she has begun fundraising to support her disability advocacy work. Today Briana will be speaking with Teddy Cosmo.

Teddy is a New York-based singer-singer, songwriter, producer, and disability advocate with cerebral palsy. Their work blends punk, grunge, folk, and alternative rock into an emotionally raw sound that speaks directly to the experience of being disabled in an ableist world. They've been releasing music since 2017, originally under the name of The Sadsaps, and have been pushing the envelope of representation for disabled musicians since high school. Playing guitar didn't come easily, but after years of practice, Teddy developed a unique technique that works with the tremors in their hands. They're also currently a Berklee College of Music student. In addition to their vulnerable songwriting, they've been vocal online about real-world accessibility barriers in the music industry.

Find Briana online at: https://www.brianaraucci.com/

Read Briana's Disability & Art Blog: https://www.brianaraucci.com/blog

Follow Briana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianaraucci/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrianaRaucciPhotography

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaraucci/

Follow Teddy on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/teddycosmomusic

The ABLE Voices podcast is produced and edited by BIAAE Operations Coordinator, Daniel Martinez del Campo. The introduction music was written by Kai Levin and the ending song was written by Sebastian Batista. Kai and Sebastian are students in the Arts Education Programs at the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education.

For more information about our programs visit us at https://college.berklee.edu/BIAAE

Follow us for more weekly updates at: Instagram: @BIAAE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAAE

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Briana Raucci.

Briana is a Connecticut-based artist, writer, and photographer with multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy. endometriosis, ADHD, and more. Over the years, Briana has self-described as a photographer, photojournalist, writer, graphic designer, UX & product designer, social media manager, artist, etc., but feels none of those titles alone fully embody the creativity she is constantly trying to express in new ways. After in-depth creative exploration, doing both full-time and freelance work for over 13 years, Briana is now freelancing full-time, utilizing all her creative abilities. Being a multi-passionate individual, this has allowed her to balance all of her creative endeavors and add a few more! Since this interview, she has begun fundraising to support her disability advocacy work. Today Briana will be speaking with Ash Marnich.

Ash Marnich is the freelance artist and illustrator behind Ash M Creations. Based in Duluth, MN, Ash works across ink, graphite, watercolor, and mixed media to create emotionally evocative compositions that often merge human anatomy, natural elements, and surreal textures. Her art explores deeply personal and symbolic themes, striking a balance between vulnerability and imagination. Ash’s work has been featured in multiple exhibitions and is available online and in select stores. She also creates commissioned pieces ranging from book illustrations to custom artwork and posters for comedians. With an active online presence, Ash shares her unique artistic vision—and a warm, understated sense of humor—with a growing audience. Ash lives with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that affects her joints and mobility, a reality that informs her resilience and creative voice.

Find Briana online at:

https://www.brianaraucci.com/

Read Briana's Disability & Art Blog: https://www.brianaraucci.com/blog

Follow Briana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianaraucci/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrianaRaucciPhotography

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaraucci/

Follow Ash on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ash_m_creations/

Shopify: ash-m-creations.myshopify.com

The ABLE Voices podcast is produced and edited by BIAAE Operations Coordinator, Daniel Martinez del Campo. The introduction music was written by Kai Levin and the ending song was written by Sebastian Batista. Kai and Sebastian are students in the Arts Education Programs at the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education. 

For more information about our programs visit us at https://college.berklee.edu/

BIAAE Follow us for more weekly updates at: 

Instagram: @BIAAE 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAAE

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and  guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Briana Raucci.

Briana is a Connecticut-based artist, writer, and photographer with  multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy.  endometriosis, ADHD, and more. Over the years, Briana has self-described  as a photographer, photojournalist, writer, graphic designer, UX &  product designer, social media manager, artist, etc., but feels none of  those titles alone fully embody the creativity she is constantly trying  to express in new ways. After in-depth creative exploration, doing both  full-time and freelance work for over 13 years, Briana is now  freelancing full-time, utilizing all her creative abilities. Being a  multi-passionate individual, this has allowed her to balance all of her  creative endeavors and add a few more! Since this interview, she has  begun fundraising to support her disability advocacy work. Today Briana  will be speaking with Akes.

Akes  is UK based rapper, vocalist, businessman, online content creator,  social media  personality, and entrepreneur, also known as MrSickWidit. Deriving his  stage name from the aches caused by  his lifelong cerebral palsy condition, the young wordsmith has always  hoped to show others in a similar position that they can chase their  dreams in music, even when the odds seem stacked against them and has  been an outspoken advocate for individuals with cerebral palsy, and the  wider disability community. Particularly renowned for his grime output,  Akes has worked with  some of the rap genre’s biggest names including BPI Gold-certified  producer  Preditah, N.A.S.T.Y Crew legend Nasty Jack and the inimitable Flirta D,  and has released two grime EPs to date – 2014’s War and 2018’s  Sickwidit.  "Been through the aches and pains,” West Midlands penman Akes  asserts on the autobiographical title track from his latest EP. It’s a  direct nod to the inspiration behind his stage name—growing up with  cerebral palsy, he’s all too acquainted with its physically taxing  nature; plus the alias speaks to the ‘pains’ of testing times, too.

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and  guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Briana Raucci.

Briana is a Connecticut-based artist, writer, and photographer with  multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy.  endometriosis, ADHD, and more. Over the years, Briana has self-described  as a photographer, photojournalist, writer, graphic designer, UX &  product designer, social media manager, artist, etc., but feels none of  those titles alone fully embody the creativity she is constantly trying  to express in new ways. After in-depth creative exploration, doing both  full-time and freelance work for over 13 years, Briana is now  freelancing full-time, utilizing all her creative abilities. Being a  multi-passionate individual, this has allowed her to balance all of her  creative endeavors and add a few more! Since this interview, she has  begun fundraising to support her disability advocacy work. Today Briana  will be speaking with Christina Lucille.

Christina Lucille is a disabled digital artist, graphic designer, and  business owner who has a strong social media presence under her artist  title, Chronic Pop. Through her platform she advocates for the disabled  community by creating controversial art pieces and having honest  conversations about what it feels like to be a disabled person in an  able-bodied world. The intention behind Chronic Pop is to make fun,  humorous art that makes talking about these difficult topics a bit less  daunting and brings some joy into disabled lives.

Find Briana online at: https://www.brianaraucci.com/ Read Briana's Disability & Art Blog:  https://www.brianaraucci.com/blog Follow Briana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianaraucci/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrianaRaucciPhotography LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaraucci/

Follow Christina on Instagram @chronicpopshop

Follow Christina on TikTok @chronicpopshop

Shop Chronic Pop https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChronicPop

The ABLE Voices podcast is produced and edited by BIAAE Operations  Coordinator, Daniel Martinez del Campo. The introduction music was  written by Kai Levin and the ending song was written by Sebastian  Batista. Kai and Sebastian are students in the Arts Education Programs  at the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education.

For more information about our programs visit us at https://college.berklee.edu/BIAAE  

Follow us for more weekly updates at:

Instagram: @BIAAE 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAAE

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and  guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest and our next guest host is  Briana Raucci.  

Briana is a Connecticut-based artist, writer, and photographer with  multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy.  endometriosis, ADHD, and more. Over the years, Briana has self-described  as a photographer, photojournalist, writer, graphic designer, UX &  product designer, social media manager, artist, etc., but feels none of  those titles alone fully embody the creativity she is constantly trying  to express in new ways. After in-depth creative exploration, doing both  full-time and freelance work for over 13 years, Briana is now  freelancing full-time, utilizing all her creative abilities. Being a  multi-passionate individual, this has allowed her to balance all of her  creative endeavors and add a few more! Since this interview, she has  begun fundraising to support her disability advocacy work.  

Find Briana online at: https://www.brianaraucci.com/ 

Read Briana's Disability & Art Blog:  https://www.brianaraucci.com/blog 

Follow Briana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianaraucci/

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrianaRaucciPhotography 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaraucci/  

The ABLE Voices podcast is produced and edited by BIAAE Operations  Coordinator, Daniel Martinez del Campo. The introduction music was  written by Kai Levin and the ending song was written by Sebastian  Batista. Kai and Sebastian are students in the Arts Education Programs  at the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education.  

For more information about our programs visit us at  https://college.berklee.edu/BIAAE  

Follow us for more weekly updates at: 

Instagram: @BIAAE 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAAE