Naseem Alatrash is a Palestinian cellist, composer and educator, whose performances include a mix of improvisation and traditional Arabic music, jazz, and contemporary classical music influence. During our conversation, we talk about Naseem's cultural approach to music, the powerful and subversive work he does with his students, the transcendence that artists must strive towards, and the difficulties of discovering his artistic gifts while growing up in Palestine. We promise you'll be moved by this conversation.

Learn more about Naseem and his music here: https://www.alatrashmusic.com/

Follow Naseem on social media:

- Twitter: @naseemalatrash

Learn more about Live Arts Boston at www.tbf.org/LAB.

Learn more about the Boston Foundation at www.tbf/org.

Learn more about Dunamis at www.dunamisboston.org. 

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In what was arguably our most contemplative and philosophical episode yet, we spoke with Wendy Jehlen, founder and artistic director of Anikaya, about the artist as a storyteller, how her intercultural education and experiences shaped her artistry, and the inextricable interconnectedness of humanity. 

Learn more about Anikaya Dance Theater at https://anikaya.org/.

Follow Wendy/Anikaya Dance Theater on social media:

- Twitter: @ANIKAYADance / @wendyjehlen

Learn more about Live Arts Boston at www.tbf.org/LAB.

Learn more about the Boston Foundation at www.tbf/org.

Learn more about Dunamis at www.dunamisboston.org. 

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- Twitter: @bostonfdn / @dunamisboston

Karen Young and Taiko drums are the perfect pairing. Aside from the obvious cultural connection and celebration, Karen has made a practice of tackling issues much larger than herself while using all of herself. An inaugural Boston Artist in Residence, founder and director of the Genki Spark, Karen is a cultural artist, educator and organizer, who has - lucky for us - decided to call Boston home. In our conversation, we discussed culture, identity, community, creativity and better ways of going about our work. 

Learn more about Karen and her work here: https://karensusanyoung.com/

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Learn more about Live Arts Boston at www.tbf.org/LAB.

Learn more about the Boston Foundation at www.tbf/org.

Learn more about Dunamis at www.dunamisboston.org. 

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- Twitter: @bostonfdn / @dunamisboston

Salsa dancer, artist, serial entrepreneur, advocate and so much more Ana Masacote's work is rooted in bringing cross cultural communities together and sparking conversations through the arts. During our conversation together, we discussed her project Queer Bodies in Motion, as well as reconciling multiple passions in order to build your own constellations, when to lean in versus when to pivot, Doug from the movie "Up", ownership versus delegation, and how creativity is really nothing more than intuition.

Learn more about Ana and her work at https://www.anamasacote.com/.

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Learn more about Live Arts Boston at www.tbf.org/LAB.

Learn more about the Boston Foundation at www.tbf/org.

Learn more about Dunamis at www.dunamisboston.org. 

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- Twitter: @bostonfdn / @dunamisboston

A poet, writer, advocate and activist, Yvette Modestin is someone you should know, if only because she's been listed as one of the 30 Afro Latinas You Should Know. Internationally respected for her powerful voice and unshakable authenticity, I had the privilege to sit with Yvette as we discussed purpose, missions based in love, Blackness, and of course, hair.

Follow Yvette on social media:

Instagram: @soulfulafro / @thehairstoryproject

Learn more about Live Arts Boston at www.tbf.org/LAB.

Learn more about the Boston Foundation at www.tbf/org.

Learn more about Dunamis at www.dunamisboston.org. 

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- Twitter: @bostonfdn / @dunamisboston

Percussionist, composer, public artist, educator and arts entrepreneur, Maria Finkelmeier has spent her whole life asking questions she's only now getting the answers to. A chronic disruptor, Maria's work is about reaching unusual audiences and unusual spaces in unusual ways - all while asking why any of this is unusual to begin with. During our conversation with Maria, we discuss rules, who makes them and the joy of breaking them, sexism in the industry, artificial intelligence and the role it can play in storytelling, and so much more.

Learn more about Live Arts Boston at www.tbf.org/LAB.

Learn more about the Boston Foundation at www.tbf/org.

Learn more about Dunamis at www.dunamisboston.org. 

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The National Museum of American History describes the cuatro as a five double string guitar-like instrument used to play música jíbara, Puerto Rican country music. On this episode of Dexter's L.A.B, J. Cottle speaks with Fabiola Méndez, an amazing musician whose primary instrument also happens to be the national instrument of Puerto Rico. They discuss Fabiola's culture and identity, her process and perspective as a Cuatrista, composer and educator. They also talk about adapting other works for the musical medium and embracing tradition, while also moving it forward.

Learn more about Fabiola Méndez and her music at https://www.fabiolamendezmusic.com/.

Follow Fabiola on social media:

- Facebook: @FabiolaMendezMusic

Learn more about Live Arts Boston at www.tbf.org/LAB.

Learn more about the Boston Foundation at www.tbf/org.

Learn more about Dunamis at www.dunamisboston.org. 

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- Twitter: @bostonfdn / @dunamisboston

In this episode of Dexter's L.A.B., we spoke with The Flavor Continues Artistic Director Alex Ambila about the intersection of working in visual and physical mediums, the role trauma and pain can play in creativity, and the interplay between making art for yourself and the artistic things we're asked to create for others in order to pay the bills.

Learn more about The Flavor Continues at www.theflavorcontinues.org. Follow The Flavor Continues on social media:

- Instagram: @theflavorcontinues

Learn more about Live Arts Boston at www.tbf.org/LAB.

Learn more about the Boston Foundation at www.tbf/org.

Learn more about Dunamis at www.dunamisboston.org. 

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- Twitter: @bostonfdn / @dunamisboston

Family legacy, defying expectations, being an inspiration and always choosing joy. All of this is explored this week's episode of Dexter’s L.A.B. featuring Zayra Pola. We discuss the difficulties of being a woman in relationship to her culture, her musical instrument, and even the genre in which she plays. Zayra has been through so much, but you'll never hear it in her voice. She is kind and, and operates from deep gratitude, joy, and using her skills to be in service of others.

Learn ore about Zayra’s work at https://www.zayrapola.com/. Follow Zayra on social media:

- Instagram: @zayrapolamusic

Learn more about Live Arts Boston at www.tbf.org/LAB.

Learn more about the Boston Foundation at www.tbf/org.

Learn more about Dunamis at www.dunamisboston.org. 

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- Twitter: @bostonfdn / @dunamisboston

Bao Pham is no stranger to the fork in road that many artists face at one point or another in their lives - the choice between a "stable" career and pursuing your art. Right now, she's choosing both. Outside of her 9-5, Bao works with the nonprofit The Flavor Continues. She spoke to J. Cottle about finding time for her day job and her art, the benefits of having multiple creative disciplines, and how creativity bleeds into all parts of her life. 

Learn more about The Flavor Continues at www.theflavorcontinues.org. Follow The Flavor Continues on social media:

Learn more about Live Arts Boston at www.tbf.org/LAB.

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- Twitter: @bostonfdn / @dunamisboston