Merlin Coleman and Amy X Neuburg present multi-channel audio works

Composers, vocalists, and sound artists Merlin Coleman and Amy X Neuburg share a presentation of two very different multi-channel song cycles, in which the audience is surrounded by sounds and stories emanating from the Dreasher Ensemble Studio’s high-quality audio system. Seats are limited for this intimate experience, so advance ticket purchase is recommended!

In Merlin Coleman’s “DISPATCHES from the CHARCOAL FOREST,” members of acclaimed vocal ensemble Kitka move through the space and sing over a quadraphonic audio sculpture of found recordings, collected sounds, and interviews relating to the Sonoma County Tubbs Fires of 2017. DISPATCHES considers the human response to environmental crisis alongside our part n its creation:; how we grieve and how we persist.

Amy X Neuburg’s “Come to My House” explores themes of house and home, comfort and discomfort, through an eclectic collection of eight songs emanating from eight audio speakers. Ranging from the meditative loops of potato chip crunches to spiraling legal jargon to downright pop, Amy’s songs are lush, complex, and emotional, always featuring her signature humor and colorful lyrics.

About the Artists:

Merlin Coleman is a multimedia artist presenting works in vocal and instrumental performance, assembled recordings, and theatrical productions. Her work has appeared in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Kyoto and Tokyo and she has been awarded artist residencies at Audium, BANFF, Chalk Hill, Engine 27, Millet Farm, Paul Dresher Ensemble, and Ragdale. She holds an MFA in Composition from California Institute of the Arts. She has produced two full-length albums and is featured on multiple compilation recordings.

www.merlinman.com

Amy X Neuburg is an Oakland-based composer, vocalist, and electronic music performer known for pioneering work that explores the expressive possibilities of the human voice through live looping and processing, text, gesture, and humor, often addressing themes of identity, language, everyday objects, and the body. A graduate of Oberlin and Mills, Neuburg has received numerous grants and awards, including recognition from major arts organizations and foundations. Her works and commissions – ranging from solo to chamber orchestra to large chorus -- have been performed internationally at festivals, concert halls, and rock clubs. Recently her focus has turned towards multi-channel audio art, a highlight being her work for the 140-speaker Cube theater at Virginia Tech.

www.amyxneuburg.com

Kelly Atkins has composed, performed, produced, recorded and toured in a variety of musical genres, including world, indierock, rock, triphop, folk, experimental, new music and more for over three decades. She is also a vocal coach, director of the all-ages Marin Kitka Community Choir and the “Echoes of the Grove” advanced vocal training, and Musical Director of the Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble.

Talia Young-Skeen began classical voice training in high school while singing with the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir and has been studying and performing for over a decade. She has a B.A in music from U.C. Berkeley, and while there,, she co-directed the Cal Jazz Choir, performed as a soloist in the University Baroque Ensemble, and toured and performed with the University Chamber Chorus. Currently, she is a member of Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble..

Sarah Dobrovolny has been singing for over three decades in school and community ensembles, musical theatre, collegiate a cappella, and at open mic nights—sometimes with her ukulele in hand. She currently explores Eastern European folk and other traditional vocal music with Kitka’s “Echoes of the Grove.”

Kirana Peyton received her B.A. in Music Education from Sonoma State University where studied classical Indian singing extensively and was one of the few recipients of the Lalmani Misra Memorial Scholarship. Peyton has toured with Faun Fables, including opening for Nick Cave and Bonnie “Prince” Billy. She has also opened for Duo De Twang, performed with Les Claypool, and toured throughout the U.S. and Europe with Jesca Hoop — including performances at Paul Simon’s farewell concert in Hyde Park, Glastonbury Music Festival, and Austin City Limits.

Liz Woolford is a multidisciplinary performer, director, and educator; currently serving as Director of Theatre for Mid-Peninsula High School. As a vocalist, Woolford sings with the Oakland-based Free Key Choir and the Marin Kitka Community Choir. Woolford began her career in environmental advocacy, and her performance work is deeply informed by the ongoing climate crisis, ecological wisdom, and our relationship to place.

Kristine Deason grew up in France and Germany and obtained her Master’s degree in Belgium. She has been a teacher for grade school, high school, and university levels as well as a teacher-trainer. For over 20 years, she has worked in Waldorf education spaces, where she sang daily, studied Werbeck singing, and led a choir. Currently she sings in the Marin Kitka Community Choir as well as Kitka’s smaller vocal ensemble “Echoes of the Grove,” and she is beginning to explore musical composition.

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