Artifice

Colin Hinton is an active member of Brooklyn’s creative music community. A drummer, percussionist, and composer, his music draws from the jazz and free music traditions of Henry Threadgill, Anthony Braxton, and Muhal Richard Abrams, as well as 20th century classical composers Messiaen, Scriabin, Feldman, and Grisey.

He has performed in the US, Canada, Central and South America, and Asia, and has had his compositions performed in the US, Italy, and Canada. An active educator in the NYC area, Colin has taught at the City College of New York, numerous music academies, and runs a private teaching studio. He has given clinics at the City College of New York and the University of Toronto.

Hinton studied drums with Ed Soph, Tyshawn Sorey, Dan Weiss, Ralph Peterson, and Ari Hoenig, and composition with Ingrid Laubrock, Tyshawn Sorey, and Eric Wubbels. He studied at the University of North Texas and City College of New York, completing a BFA in Jazz Performance and an MA in Music Performance with a focus in 20th century theory.

Colin has performed with Ingrid Laubrock, Todd Neufeld, Tony Malaby, Brandon Seabrook, Michael Formanek, Lotte Anker, Jon Irabagon, Okkyung Lee, Eivind Opsvik, Tyshawn Sorey, Brandon Lopez, Jacob Sacks, Briggan Krauss, Miles Okazaki, Michaël Attias, Jesse Zubot, and Anna Webber. He performed on Jake Hanlon’s 2012 CD release “Follow” which was nominated for ECMA Jazz Recording of the Year. He has performed at notable NYC venues such as The Jazz Gallery, The Stone, Bar Next Door, Rockwood Music Hall, and Cornelia Street Café.

Hinton currently leads contemporary classical/avant-jazz quintet Simulacra (Anna Webber, Yuma Uesaka, Edward Gavitt, Shawn Lovato, Colin Hinton), free-jazz/post-punk hybrid Glassbath (Peyton Pleninger, Edward Gavitt, Eva Lawitts, Colin Hinton), Aphelion (Tony Malaby, Todd Neufeld, Eivind Opsvik, Colin Hinton), and a piano trio featuring Santiago Leibson and Eivind Opsvik. Colin also co-leads Ocelot – a collaborative trio featuring Yuma Uesaka and Cat Toren whose debut recording will be released in fall 2020.

Hinton is also the founder and co-curator of Off-Brand Music Series – a monthly music series hosted at Branded Saloon in Brooklyn that celebrates the avant-garde and experimental music scene. Off-Brand Music Series has been running monthly since January of 2018.

For more information visit https://www.colinhinton.com/

Described as “playing a mean guitar” (Wichita Eagle), William Flynn is a Kansas-based jazz guitarist and educator currently serving as Director of Jazz Studies at Wichita State University. William’s recent professional engagements include performances at the Overture to Overtown Jazz Festival (Miami, FL), the Charlie Parker Celebration Festival (Kansas City), The University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Lab, and The Blue Room (Kansas City). William’s recent releases can be heard on Armored Records and Artists Recording Collective.

Widely respected as a leading educator in his field, William has presented and adjudicated at conferences and universities across the country. His educational writing has been published in Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, and he is the co-author of Mel Bay’s 2016 publication Jazz Guitar Duets. Additionally, William is the founder of @thejazzwoodshed, an educational Instagram account followed by thousands of users from around the world.

William holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Capital University (Columbus, OH), and a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas, where he taught as a Graduate Teaching Fellow. From 2011-2012, William held the guitar chair in the world-renowned and Grammy-nominated University of North Texas One O’ Clock Lab Band, and can be heard on Lab 2012.

In his position at Wichita State University, William teaches applied guitar and jazz improvisation, and directs both the Jazz Arts Ensemble 2 and the Guitar Ensemble.

http://www.williamflynnmusic.com/

Kathryn Lachey is a singer/songwriter, pianist, bandleader, and educator from Chicago. With an equal appreciation for jazz, folk/country, and 60’s pop, Kathryn uses her inviting tone and playful harmonic approach to tell stories across genres.

In 2011, Kathryn graduated from The University of North Texas with a Master of Music (Jazz Studies) where she was privileged to have held a teaching fellowship and studied with Paris Rutherford, Rosana Eckert, and other esteemed musicians and educators.

Kathryn is half of the songwriting duo The Wild Rumors, formed in 2019 with her longtime friend and music collaborator, Josh Murtha. Halfway between country and rootsy pop with a jazz sensibility, The Wild Rumors delivers simple, beautiful, and lyric-forward tunes. Their debut album is set for release in 2020, if the world holds up.

Blake Casselman is a comic book writer, screenwriter, film producer, and teacher. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor's Degree in Film, and later earned an M.F.A. in Education. He is the co-writer/co-creator of the graphic novel, "Devil's Triangle" with Brian C. Hailes. He also co-wrote the award-winning dark fantasy short film, "Kiss the Devil in the Dark" starring Doug Jones ("Star Trek: Discovery" "The Shape of Water"). Many of the films he has written and/or produced have been screened in film festivals throughout North America. In 2012 he co-founded a film production company, Rare Legend Films, and co-wrote and produced the award-winning feature-length comedy, "Adopting Trouble" (available for rental or purchase on Amazon Prime). His short fiction has been published in a number of anthologies and he edited the sci-fi/fantasy anthology, "Heroic: Tales of the Extraordinary" on behalf of the Aaron Allston Foundation. Over the years he has taught screenwriting, film and story theory, and storyboarding classes and has worked as the Director of Programming for FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention.

Called “…one of the best male vocalists in the jazz world today,” by WCLK in Atlanta, Jeff Baker has quickly become one of the most significant talents in the next generation of jazz vocalists. His diverse musical recordings, exciting live performances, and infectious energy and personality have gained him accolades from critics and listeners alike. Baker has headlined numerous festivals and clubs, and has shared the billing and played with some of jazz music’s top artists including: Ray Brown, Gene Harris, Brian Blade, John Patitucci, Steve Wilson, Bobby Hutcherson, Carla Cook, Marquis Hill, the Yellow Jackets, Mose Allison, Kenny Werner, Joey DeFrancesco, Joe LaBarbera, Bruce Barth, Darrell Grant, Karrin Allyson, Nancy King, Henry Butler, Dave Frishberg, Gene Harris, Orrin Evans, Clark Sommers, George Colligan, Randy Porter and many more!

Jeff has performed throughout the U.S., and has enjoyed performance engagements in central Europe and South Africa. His four critically acclaimed CD releases on the Origin/OA2 Records imprint have charted on the ‘Jazzweek’ International Radio Top 50, have been played on over 200 stations internationally, were Top 5 on NPR’s nationally syndicated “Jazz Works” radio program, and were #1 on stations in Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Portland, Buffalo, St. Louis, Cape Town, SA and New Zealand.

A graduate of Willamette University, Baker has also been sought after as a jazz educator, adjudicating numerous festivals, and working in clinics with some of the nations very best high school and college jazz programs. As one of the ‘founding fathers’ of the ArtsWest School for Performing and Visual Arts, Baker helped create one of the top High-School Jazz programs in the country. His students have won over 100 Top Awards at festivals and competitions throughout the U.S., including being named finalists to the Monterey Jazz Festival ‘Next Generation Competition’ in 2010, 11’, and 12’ and winning 10 Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards, including the 2010, 2012 and 2013 High School Vocal Solo Winners, and the 2012 Winner for Large Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Additionally, Baker’s groups have been invited to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Portland Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall, and the National Cathedral.

Jeff is an ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) Certified Clinician/Adjudicator, a past member of the International Association of Jazz Education (IAJE), and a current member of the Jazz Education Network (JEN), the National Association for Music Education (NAFME), and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS or the GRAMMY Foundation). Jeff Baker resides in Portland, OR, is the Former Director of Jazz + Contemporary Voice at Portland State University, and the Co-Founder of The Reality Book, Next Records, and the Jazz Forward Competition.

http://jeffbakerjazz.com/phrases/

Emily Hanigan is creatively drawn towards color, simple design, eco-friendly products, and art that gives her peace or makes her smile. She is inspired by other artists who have made it their goal to fearlessly take charge of their own creativity and life. Home design, playing the piano and comedy are also her jam. Hanigan started her art career as a college student and received her BFA in Art Education from Boise State University in 2011. She creates artwork that is influenced by her surroundings, individual perception of the world and specific life experiences. In exploring these elements, she is searching for a state of personal contentment. Each brush stroke and mark made is an extension of herself. Often utilizing layers, she examines the variety of ways we live and the variety of paths our lives can take. In her free time, you’ll also find her playing card games with her wife while their corgi-lab chills nearby.

Sean Hancock is a multi-faceted performer, award-winning actor and the creator of the award-winning comedy company, Recycled Minds. With versatile creativity, Sean's work goes beyond borders in film, commercials, theatre, sketch, stand up, spoken word and improvisation.

In June of 2016, Hancock won Best Actor along with 3 other awards with his team for Make It Count, an i48 short-film that he later adapted into a one-man show, One Deep Breath, that debuted in January of 2017 for the Idaho Laugh Fest. He has studied at the world-famous Groundlings School of Improv in Los Angeles, CA as well as The Upright Citizens Brigade and Comedy Sports, and performed a monthly improv show at I.O. West in Hollywood, CA. He has been seen on the front page of funnyordie.com, crackle.com, revver.com and youtube’s comedy page for sketch. Hancock has traveled the world teaching and performing in over 10 countries including Edinburgh, Scotland at the world's largest performance arts festival, The Fringe Festival. Sean also founded Monkey Butler Comedy UK, contributing to one of the world's largest growing improv theaters and schools.

In addition to performance, Sean Hancock is an expert in corporate training and coaching through improvisational comedy. His teaching and influence have been sought after by corporations, executive teams and individuals who want to increase their professional and personal influence through principles like thinking outside the box, active listening, elevating others, building confidence and improving communication. Through the power of play and the principles of improvisational comedy, Sean has been transforming a variety of industries and individuals into confident powerhouses for over 15 years. Jean Piaget, a clinical psychologist, said it best, “If you want to be creative, stay in part a child, with the creativity and invention that characterizes children.”

Rachel Robison is a composer for video games, film, and other media based in Utah. She is also a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and educator with almost two decades of experience. Her studies include media music and music recording technology at Salt Lake Community College, graduating with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Music Recording Technology in 2019. Rachel joined ATA Music Production that same year as composer and head of business development. At home, she helps run Utah Game Audio (a local community for game audio professionals) and co-hosts the Create Loud Podcast. She currently serves as an Advisory Board member and Assistant Communications Manager for the Game Audio Network Guild.

Website: rachelrobisonmusic.com

Rachel's Podcast: facebook.com/createloud

When I was a young boy I was obsessed with art. I was born in Florence, Italy where I lived for 7 years. When I hit high school I saw no need to pursue art and so I dropped it and got into other things. After high school, I got an internship with a film production company and started getting more into film. When I was 22 I realized that I wasn’t satisfied with what I was doing so I needed a change. I decided that advertising was a lot more exciting and chose to go to Miami Ad School and that’s where my passion for photography came in. At school, I had to rely on my own skills to produce print ads and online media. I had to convey a message and I didn’t want to just snap one shot and be done. I wanted to include a lot of different elements that told a story. That’s when I started getting into compositing.

I realized that I could actually create the images that were inside my head. I never thought that was possible before. I became literally obsessed with ad photography. I would stay up every night until 2 or 3 studying my favorite photographers. I would study every single detail and try to recreate what I saw. It took me a year and a half before I decided to put my style out there to the public. Once I put my work out there for people to see I got a surprising response. People loved it! I dropped my 9 to 5 job and have been working full time doing what I love ever since. Whenever I create an image I try to think of a story behind it. I want my viewer to get into the picture and imagine a whole scenario. What brings me joy is when I can inspire others to do bigger and greater things. I am based out of Los Angeles and Puerto Rico where I specialize in Commercial and Advertising photography.

www.joshrossi.com

Soprano Melissa Heath enjoys a varied career of opera, concert and recital work. Hailed as a “soaring, sparkling soprano” with “vivacious stage presence”, recent opera roles include Countess in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro and Micaëla in Bizet’s Carmen. Recent concert work includes Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem and both Mozart’s Requiem and Mass in c minor with the Temple Square Chorale and Orchestra at Temple Square, Handel’s Messiah with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and both Mozart’s Exsultate, jubilate and Barber’s Knoxville, Summer of 1915 with Sinfonia Salt Lake. With Utah Symphony, Ms. Heath has performed both Nielsen’s Symphony no. 3 and Handel’s Messiah. In November 2017 she was the soprano soloist with Ballet West in choreographer Nicolo Fonte’s world premiere of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. In 2018 Ms. Heath had the pleasure of singing songs of Messiaen and Schubert on NOVA Chamber Music Series’ season finale concert, and performed recitals in Seattle and New York. In 2019 she sang the role of The Water in Utah Opera's Production of The Little Prince, Mahler’s Symphony no. 2 with Salt Lake Symphony, and performed with Utah Symphony in their Deer Valley Concert Series. In 2020, she will appear with Utah Chamber Artists, Brigham Young University choirs and orchestra, and again with both Ballet West and the Temple Square Chorale and Orchestra. Ms. Heath was a district winner in the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions, and was a two-time regional finalist in the National Association of Teachers of Singing’s biennial art song competition. Ms. Heath is an Assistant Professor of music and the Vocal Area Coordinator in the Department of Music at Utah Valley University. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in voice from Brigham Young University, and her Master of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts degrees in voice from the University of Utah.