"You expect a beatboxer to be able to rock the microphone when backing an MC. You don't expect that same HUMAN POLYRHYTHM machine to accent female singer/songwriters with such deft subtlety. Or to match wits with jazz musicians. Or to solo provide the music for university dance classes. Or to be the poster boy for the city's most adventurous experimental music festival. But that's exactly what local beatboxer Shodekeh does. From hip-hop to dance to being thrown into the music without a net high-wire act of High Zero 2007, Shodekeh not only takes it all in stride but adds a palpable energetic surge to just about any musical idea." - Bret McCabe, The City Paper Best of Baltimore, "Best Accompanist". Photo by Christopher T. Assaf of The Baltimore Sun. September 19th, 2007.

"The American Embassy invites you to CELEBRATE the rich and diverse culture of the United States during the month of May. Throughout Lithuania, the American Center has organized events with our cultural partners to offer a glimpse into the source of America's open and inventive character. We invite you to peer into the unique windows fabricated by American painters, photographers, filmmakers, authors, musicians, lecturers and craftsman and experience the vibrancy of American society." - The Embassy of The United States, Vilnius, Lithuania. Video by R. Rimvy Dask. Video used with permission from The U.S. Embassy of Lithuania.

The Conservatory / EVOLUTIONARY Style Beatbox: Clarinetist Gleb Kanasevich & Shodekeh peforming a live remix of Steve Reich's "New York Counterpoint" for The Evolution Music Series @ An Die Musik. Percussion compositions by Shodekeh, 2010. "Join us as we kick off the new season with an informal wine reception, featuring a silent auction and brief performances of music from upcoming concerts. Clarinetist Gleb Kanasevich and vocalists Elizabeth Hungerford, Kristen Dubenion-Smith, Lee Mills and Michael Droettboom perform music by Derek Bermel, David Lang and Steve Reich, with a special appearance by local beatboxing virtuoso Shodekeh." - The Evolution Music Series. Video by Judah Adashi. September 29th, 2010.

"Local music and art venues aren't the only things exploding in the recent past. Numerous art event grab-bags are going on around the city as well. And none has been as all over the map as the Hole in the Wall Cabaret, which runs kinda/sorta monthly at the Hamilton Arts Collective during the school year. Started in February 2006 by Laurel Burggraf, Chris Bassett, and Lucia Treasure, the 2006-'07 season included performances by slam poets, vaudeville-like comedy acts, mentalist Jason Linett, the awesome puppetry of Sarah Jennings, capoera demonstrations, cello performances, ballet, short films, and music running from rock 'n' roll to out jazz to beatboxing. Who needs TV with performances this IDIOSYNCRATIC?" - Bret McCabe, The City Paper Best Of Baltimore, "The Hole In The Wall Cabaret, 2007." Video by Emily Vaughn. Video use granted by Bethany Dinsick and "The Hole in The Wall Cabaret."

"Jason Armstrong Baker has a PASSION for drumming. From a young age, the love of rhythm has inspired him on an eclectic path of rhythmic exploration and discovery, from Rock to Jazz, from World-centered to Kosmic-centered â?? Jason continues to explore and share the creative, healing process of music-making." - Revolution Rhythm. Video by Jason Baker.

"For composer and multi-reed instrumentalist John Gunther, itâ??s all about COMMUNICATION. Whether he is playing solo over one of his own mainstream jazz tunes, or â??taking it outâ? with a reinterpretation of a 20th century classical composition, his music remains ever accessible, intelligent and audience friendly. His interests are wide-ranging: World, Classical, experimental and Jazz music are all reflected in his work while remaining unified by his personal style and finely developed sense of structure." - The University of Colorado. Video by Barbara Wilgus.

"Abhishek has appeared in concerts both as a soloist and accompanist in concerts like - All India Music conference, Girija Devi's 75th Birthday Celebration, Laha Bari Kolkata, Concerts al lover South India, Mumbai, etc. He has played with many senior classical musicians like Santoor Maestro PT.Tarun Bhattacharya , VOCAL EXPONENT Smt. Subhra Guha, etc throughout the world. Abhishek has contributed significantly to Bhattacharya's recent album Dance Of The Gods, released from Bricklane. Recently Abhishek has earned great success from his musical tour of USA. He performed at many prestigious concerts in places like - New York, New Jersey, Boston, Washington, Arizona(Phoenix), Losangelas, Dallas, and many other places. Abhishek recently released his own World Music Album ACROSTIC , few months ago , where his new World music band ISM, has also performed." - Abhishek Basu. Video by The Metro Gallery.

â??Songspielâ? features 17 of Kurt Weillâ??s most famous songs that have been seared into the 20th Century's consciousness, including â??Lost in the Stars,â? â??My Ship,â? and â??Surabaya Johnny.â? In the social tradition of Weill's work, this fully-staged cabaret is a portrait of destitution in America as it explores homelessness and the loss of hope against the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina. The supporting cast includes Rebecca Duen (Jenny II) and Todd Wieczorek (Johnny) with pianist Eileen Cornett, trumpeter Brent Finchbaugh, bassist Laura Ruas, and beat-boxer Shodekeh." - Georgetown University Department of Performing Arts.

"Last month was an amazing month in the history of Music by PRUDENCE. The film premiered on HBO, and was seen at film festival all over the country: in Telluride, Colorado; Silver Spring, Maryland; Mendocino, California, and many other places. But what made last month extra special was Prudence Mabhenaâ??s return to the US. One of the most special moment was the opening night of the International VSA Festival, held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on June 6. VSA, the international organization on arts and disability, was founded more than 35 years ago by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to provide arts and education opportunities for people with disabilities and increase access to the arts for all. First, Prudence performed a rousing rendition of â??Amazing Graceâ??. Prudence also sang a traditional African song â??Jikeâ??l Emangweniâ?? (Dancing Along), accompanied by musicians Dominic Shodekeh Talifero and Jason Armstrong Baker.

"The Corcoran College of Art and Design (500 17th St. NW) will be hosting Shodekeh at 7 p.m. in collaboration with dancer and choreographer Krysia Bock. He'll also be holding workshops with students all weekend to conceptualize his performance. The performance is part of the weekly Corcoran Uncorked, which is free for members and students." - The Washington Examiner.

"The Towson University Department of Dance advocates Dancing for a Lifetime by challenging students to examine and refine their approaches to the arts of dancing, choreography, and dance education. Students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program in dance are expected to develop the knowledge, skills, concepts, and SENSITIVITIES essential to the artist in the field of dance. To fulfill various professional responsibilities, the dance artist must exhibit not only technique competence, but also broad knowledge of dance and dance repertory, the ability to integrate dance-related knowledge and skills, sensitivity to dance and musical styles, and an insight into the role of dance intellectual, education, and cultural life." - Towson University Department of Dance. Video by Maggie Kurdika.

"Friday, November 12 and 19, 8 p.m. Saturday, November 13 and 20, 8 p.m. Sunday, November 14 and 21, 2 p.m. The Department of Dance celebrates the Towson University Dance Company in Grace and Flow, an evening of dance including the 2nd Act of Swan Lake, a prominent classical BALLET MASTER WORK restaged by Runqiao Du, Artistic Director, the work of Tim Veach, Guest Artist and Artistic Director of Columbus Dance Theatre, funded by the Rosenberg Grant and the choreographic talent of the Towson University dance faculty including Jaye Knutson, Nicole A. Martinell, and Sandra Perez." - Towson University Department of Dance. Video by Towson University.

"Kwame Densu Opare began studying West African dance with TRADITIONAL MASTERS at the age of 13. At 14 he became a principal dancer with Kankouran West African Dance Company. Kwame moved to New York and by 21 had produced works for many of the major traditional African and traditional/contemporary companies. Kwame toured with the off-Broadway hit show STOMP. He is the founder of the DishiBem Traditional Contemporary Dance Group." - Towson University. Video by Jason Baker.

"ACCOMPANIMENT through Voice: Shodekeh providing vocal music for The American Dance Festival 2009 - 2010 Winter Intensive @ The LaGuardia School of the Performing Arts & The Julliard School - "This nine-day workshop is designed for students interested in learning about New York's dance scene from the artists who are creating it. The design of the Intensive is artist centered. This allows students a broad range of explorations, study and inquiry into the profession of dance.

"Shodekeh wowed the audience with his fast-paced vocal artistry which he calls â??beat box and vocal percussion.â? Shodekeh is a hip-hop FOLEY ARTIST with a dash of Bobby McFerrin. Add a bit of Laurie Anderson and you get the idea. Vladimir Espinosa joined Shodekeh with a fascinating and successful duo with didgeridoo (traditional aerophone) and electronics." - The American Dance Festival Musician's Concert Review, "Classical Voice of North Carolina". Video by The American Dance Festival.

"The past couple of years Iâ??ve seen the musical CHEMISTRY of Rony Barrak and Shodekeh and it always tops my favorite panels list. Adding Tjupurru is going to add a whole new element that will bring this panel to a new level! Make sure you get there early â?? seats are going to fill up fast!" - The Conference on World Affairs Blog @ The University of Colorado. Video by The Conference on World Affairs.

"The Baltimore beatboxer Shodekeh spends his days mimicking sounds with his voice, coaxing all manner of drumbeats, sandpaper scrapings, didgeridoo warblings and a seemingly IMPOSSIBLE variety of percussive rhythms from his vocal cords. Reading is his sanctuary. "There's a very important silent quality to it," he says. Among his favorite books are that 6th-century B.C. bestseller "The Art of War," by Sun Tzu, and the more recent "The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene and Joost Elffers. Being a musician is no easy thing, not in this economy, not ever. Shodekeh has armed himself with survival strategies. For instance, he says, one of the 48 laws of power reads: Despise the free lunch. The real-life application: "One day this person approached me and said, 'I bought you lunch; would you like to have it?' " Sure, said Shodekeh, forgetting the law. "Okay, now I need a favor," said the lunch lady. "Can you beatbox 'Happy Birthday' for me?" Then there are the books that remind him of the magic in life. Such as "Too Marvelous for Words," James Lester's biography of jazz pianist Art Tatum. Shodekeh retrieves his copy so he can summarize his favorite passages. "His hearing was so exact he could listen to a coin drop and tell which coin it was," says Shodekeh. "He could tell the dominant note in a flushing toilet." Kind of like a beatboxer being able to imitate a thunderstorm? Maybe, he says. At least, he can dream up the similarities . . . let his thoughts wander as he flips the page . . . "If there was ever a waking life experience that's akin to the state of dreaming, it would be reading," he says. "Reading, to me, is just as powerful as being in an enormously chaotic, beautiful, amazing dream. . . . Your imagination is going at full throttle." - The Washington Post. Photo by Dominic Bracco. August 15th, 2010.

"GRAFFITI ART & The Human Beatbox: Two Vital Elements of Hip Hop Together in The Same Moment. Video by Change Up Magazine, 2010 - "Beatboxing is perhaps the purest form of DIY music. We ran into the LEGENDARY Shodekeh while filming in The Station North Arts District of Baltimore-he's a true artist, most recently lending his talents to the BSO for a Frank Zappa Tribute. Enjoy! - Change Up Magazine. Video by Change Up Magazine. August 2nd, 2010.

"Both SONICALLY and artistically, Shodekeh functions as a one-of-a-kind sounding chamber. He breathes in ideas, tones, artists, beats, and images - then breathes them back out as newly resonant versions of themselves, commingled with one another and his own particular perspective. Heâ??s a restless soul and one of our cityâ??s great talents, whoâ??s touched as many lives, and crossed paths with as many artists, as anyone around." - Jed Dodds, Artistic Director of The Creative Alliance @ The Patterson. Video by The Creative Alliance. "Way Taking" video used with permission from The Creative Alliance @ The Patterson.

"BEATBOX.TV is the co-creation of myself and Max B (Max Bent). Long time friends, we decided to teach the world how to Beatbox using Maxâ??s musical talents and my media savvy. In 2003 Beatbox.Tv officially launched and has undergone a redesign about every 1-2 years (it was also online in various forms from 2001). A year later we produced a DVD based on the popularity of the website and sold it worldwide. Foundations is available through the Beatbox.Tv Store. Soon after its launch, the site took off after receiving a Adobe (Formerly Macromedia) Site of the Day on September 26, 2003 for innovative use of Flash video. Beatbox.Tv recieved much more press subsequently and the DVD was very well recieved. Visit the Beatbox.Tv Press section to learn and see more. Beatbox.Tv was also the inspiration for the RG/A produced Verizon Beatbox Mixer â?? Beatbox.Tvâ??s own is one of five featured beatboxers including Rahazel â?? the godfather of noise." - Berry Blanton, Beatbox.TV.

"When I first collaborated with Shodokeh, I felt the beauty and TEXTURE of his sounds. Responding to his variety of clicks and percussive rhythms was so incredible because he was responding to my work and the work of the children. We were in the midst of a cyclical dialogue.He created space within the textures of his vocal sounds. I wanted to immerse myself within the space and paint it." - David Cunningham. Photo by Karen Summerville. Photo by Karen Summerville.

"Freshly Squeezed is the first-ever anthology of LITERARY ART created by participants of "Write Here, Write Now," CityLit Project's series of workshops for adult writers. The anthology was edited by WHWN creator Christine Stewart. (Apprentice House, 2008). - The City Lit Project. Video produced by The City Lit Project.

"Athenaeum guest lecturers are hosted by two Athenaeum Student Fellows during the two or three day program. The Student Fellows are responsible for planning events and providing hospitality. An Athenaeum program typically includes classroom visits, SYMPOSIA, a public lecture, and a catered student dinner. There is a particular focus on personal exchanges between students and speakers." - The Conference on World Affairs @ The University of Colorado.

FILMOGRAPHY - Michael R. Faulkner. Miscellaneous Crew: * 2000s * 1990s 1. "The Wire" (assistant location manager) (15 episodes, 2004-2008) - Late Editions (2008) TV episode (assistant location manager) - React Quotes (2008) TV episode (assistant location manager) - Not for Attribution (2008) TV episode (assistant location manager) - More with Less (2008) TV episode (assistant location manager) - That's Got His Own (2006) TV episode (assistant location manager) (10 more) 2. Rocket Science (2007) (location manager) (as Michael R. Faulkner) 3. Ladder 49 (2004) (key locations assistant) 4. A Dirty Shame (2004) (location assistant) 5. Iron Jawed Angels (2004) (TV) (production assistant) 6. Head of State (2003) (location assistant) (as Michael R. Faulkner) 7. Cecil B. DeMented (2000) (set production assistant) ... aka "Cecil B. the Cinema Wars" - Japan (English title) 8.

"David Cunningham is a unique and exciting ABSTRACT artist and muralist, and is a visiting artist within the Baltimore school system. The artist's paintings are influenced by gathering information from his surroundings, both natural and man-made. His paintings are dense with shape and color." - The Antresian Gallery. Photo by Karen Summerville.

"Franz West, To Build a House You Start with the Roof: Work, 1972-2008 October 12, 2008â??January 4, 2009 Free exhibition Experience the supersize, PROVOCATIVE, and playful work of acclaimed Austrian artist Franz West. Considered one of the most important living artists today, Franz West has created an extraordinary body of work since the 1970s. Discover this influential and provocative European artist in the first comprehensive survey in the U.S. of his celebrated career, premiering at the BMA. Even before you enter the BMA, examples of how West (pronounced Vest) has helped redefine sculpture as a social and environmental experience greet you on the Museum grounds with their giant, colorful forms. You can touch or sit on these intriguing sculptures and not get yelled at. Inside the galleries, the exhibition is organized as a series of mini-installations beginning with the artistâ??s most recent workâ??a 25-foot-tall aluminum sculpture made expressly for this exhibition.

"Shodekeh's most recent project, Embody, seeks to bring together a broad range of vocal artists under one umbrella and put what was once his more private pursuit of GENRE EXPLORATION front and center on the stage. A recent performance under this headline showcased a throat singer, an operatically trained vocalist, and of course Shodekeh's personal brand of vocal percussion. He points out that "there is a lot of experimentation in beatboxing, actually a big part of it is nothing but experimentation. So I'm really interested in seeing how these realms can fuse with one another." His ideas for cross-collaboration don't stop there. "I would love to see a professional whistler with a throat singer, or a beatboxer with a yodeler," he suggests. "I think we all have a lot to learn from one another." - Molly Sheridan, New Music Box. Photo & Design by Ra Rah. Image Curated by Shodekeh for "EMBODY". March 27th, 2010.

"This print series explores the PHYSIOLOGY and mythology of song. Created for Embody: A Festival of The Vocal Arts, it was presented as an evolving animation that preluded the vocal performances of an operatic singer, mongolian throat singer and beat-boxer." - Erica Hansen.com

"In this episode of The Signal... A MUSICAL VISIT with opera soprano Bonnie Lander, throat singer Ian Hesford, and vocal percussionist Shodekeh, who've joined forces to expand the definition of 'a capella' in a new, live festival of the vocal arts called "Embody." Musician Nathan Bell explains how an unexpected email message led to a trip to Brazil that had a profound effect on his music and his life. Signal contributor Charles Cohen brings us the story of Baltimore beer vendor Fancy Clancy, an unlikely entrepreneur who shares his philosophy on life, baseball, and the art of selling suds. Plus, poetry from literary contributors Reginald Harris and Rachel Eisler." - The Signal, WYPR. Segment produced by Aaron Henkin.

"Last Saturday we witnessed Shodekeh register beats on the RICHTER SCALE with a presentation that made drummers from Canton to California drop their sticks and start moving their lips, but thatâ??s not why heâ??s smiling in this picture. This was a beautiful day for Baltimoreâ??s own beat box phenom. Heâ??s smiling because his brainchild Embody took its first steps this weekend when three incredible performers stormed the stage at The Patterson Theater and left the audience dazed and inspired. Shodekeh has taken it upon himself to initiate the exploration of the vocal arts by bringing together unlikely a capella ensembles through a series of concerts set to become a full festival in 2012. This particular performance featured a throat singer, an opera singer, a beat boxer and an impressive participatory display from the audience." - What Weekly. Video by Tuffnerd Productions. March 27th, 2010.

"Ian Hesford has made a name for himself as a master TRIBAL INSTRUMENTALIST and can most often be seen performing in full body paint playing the didgerido, kubing, dumbek and djun-djun,with his band Telesma. During this performance, Ian showcased another of his many talents: The art of overtone singing otherwise known as throat singing." - What Weekly Review of "EMBODY: A Concert of The Vocal Arts."

"With Embody, he sees the same POSSIBILITY of crossing lines and bringing disparate music together. This Saturday, Embody brings to the stage throat-singer Ian Hesford, opera singer Bonnie Lander, and Shodekeh himself. "I think with a beatboxer, a throat-singer, and an opera singer in the same room, there's potential to remove a lot of barriers," he says. "These three different disciplines, yeah, they're from different musical settings and cultures, but the fact that they usually have nothing to do with each other is a reflection of how people are so separated as well. "If they weren't separate to begin with, you wouldn't have all of these different and unique cultures," he continues. "But at the same time, there's no reason for them to not fuck with each other and get into the same musical space, get into the same energy." - Michael Byrne, The City Paper.

"We're joined by Shodekeh, beatboxer and director of Embody: A FESTIVAL and Series of the Vocal Arts and Ian Hesford, throat singer and member of the band Telesma. Shodekeh and Ian give a little preview of the Embody Concert which takes place this Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 8pm at the Creative Alliance and will also feature opera singer Bonnie Lander. For more info and tickets go to creativealliance.org." - The Marc Steiner Show. Segment produced by The Center For Emerging Media.

"EMBODY: A Concert of The Vocal Arts... Classical Voice, Throat Singing & Beatbox Sat Mar 27, 8pm. $10, $8 mbrs & stus. Former Patterson Resident Artist Shodekeh hosts this exploration of human vocal possibilities. The OPERATIC thrill of Bonnie Lander, cosmic throat singing by Ian Hesford of Telesma and heart pounding beat boxing by Shodekeh are showcased in solo performances, and merge in a closing collaborative joint set. Images created by Patterson Resident Artist Erica Hansen based on the vocal artists are projected on stage. Q&A follows. Supported by Wayne Ching." - The Creative Alliance @ The Patterson. Video produced by The CAAM Cage.

"Bonnie Lander is a classically trained COLORATURA soprano who performs and collaborates within a wide range of music including contemporary compositions, electro acoustic and experimental improvisations. Her solo performance this evening would definitely be considered experimental as she playfully explored the several facets of her vocal ability." - What Weekly Review of "EMBODY: A Concert of The Vocal Arts."

"Understand that these niches--beatboxing, opera singing, throat singing--are not ones you're likely to hear and EXPERIENCE in a way that's not presenting something new. Opera and throat-singing are indeed older musical styles, but two-odd millennia after the birth of Tuvan throat-singing, it's not consumed or experienced en masse. (Note that Baltimore's Lyric Opera House is more a home for musicals and pop stars than anything actually opera.) A listener can't help but be struck by the sheer singularity of this sort of vocal music, not just the fact that it's coming from an actual human being with the same sort of equipment you have, but the whole package of being strikingly foreign in style and conception. The net result are genres of music that, well, don't get out much. "It [seems] like they are mainly playing for one another," Shodekeh says of these genres. "There's definitely an incestuous relationship between the performers, presenters, and the patrons. They're all whistlers or they're all experimental musicians. I think that kind of sucks--for everyone involved. It's not easy, either. But it's a challenge that needs to be met." - Michael Byrne, The City Paper

"Shodekeh was remarkably patient with his classroom full of amateurs and beatbox virgins. After going around the room and having each person beatbox a couple bars to the best of his or her ability, often to entertainingly awkward results, he singled out volunteers for specific exercises, emphasizing how much work goes into conditioning your breathing to keep a consistent rhythm." - The Baltimore City Paper.

"Shodekeh is a human beatboxer, hip hop artist, and ECLECTIC collector of musical experiences. Self-taught with no formal music education, he has cultivated the fine art of beatboxing since 1987, and he has been a serious practitioner of the vocal form since 1997. By channeling various concepts of instruments and sounds through the human voice, Shodekeh embodies many of them vocally, including drum kits, didgeridoos, ocean waves, turntables, and sleigh bells. Heâ??s able to interface with a variety of musical genres with his unique rhythms, from blues to classical. Shodekeh has developed musical interpretations of visual artwork for exhibits at the Baltimore Museum of Art and the American Visionary Arts Museum. He has been inspired by working as a musical accompanist with several dance programs including those at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts in Baltimore, Maryland, and at the American Dance Festival at the Durham School for the Arts in North Carolina. Shodekeh is also the founder of Embody, his own festival of the vocal arts." - The Conference on World Affairs Panelist Bio. Photo by Erik Johnson.

"Everyone is welcome! Students, friends, family! Music Lab students will receive double ELECTIVE credit!! Tomorrow, Friday, April 23. In anticipation of their â??Beat Downâ? performance here at Jefferson Center this Saturday, the renowned Kandinsky Trio will be coming by the Music Lab from 4:30-5:20 tomorrow (Friday) with beat box phenomenon Shodekeh! This workshop will be sure to mind blowing!" - The Music Lab @ The Jefferson Center. Video by The Music Lab.

"PROFESSIONAL Beatboxer Shodekeh leads a workshop in CU's Atlas Black Box Theater. This was my favorite CWA event this year. At the start of the workshop the audience (mostly high school aged) clamored into the chairs set up in the theater. Shodekeh approached the single microphone onstage and asked if there were any other beatboxers in the audience. Two brave gentlemen raised their hands and Shodekeh asked them to join him onstage as guest panelists. The two guests had a chance to show off their stuff and then Shodekeh took his turn: Remember: single microphone on stage. All the beats, record static, record scratches, didgeridoo - everything is coming out of some part of Shodekeh's body. After the cheers died down Shodekeh pulled everyone onstage and arranged us into a big circle. He assigned us sounds to make and then "conducted" us, wave-style. Shodekeh was clearly having a blast, hearing the sound travel around the room.

"Music @ The Bryn Mawr Upper School - OPPORTUNITIES for making music include Camerata, Dayseye, Orchestra, String Ensemble, and the hand bell choir Ad Solem. Camerata, a chorus open to the lower three classes, and Dayseye, an auditioned choir for juniors and seniors, both focus on individual vocal training and ensemble development. Dayseye performs frequently for on-campus events, and the group travels both locally and abroad. Orchestra, open to wind and string players by permission, is offered during the fall semester, whereas String Ensemble and Ad Solem are activity period offerings that meet three or four times over a two-week period. All of the ensembles perform in the winter and spring concerts. Additional activity period offerings change from year to year, and guest artists come from many different styles and backgrounds. Arts Council, an active organization on campus, sponsors two coffeehouses and a Battle of the Bands each year.

"In 2007 I had the opportunity to bring in Shodekeh as a guest artist for my middle school students. Working with Shodekeh Talifero was an exciting, unique experience. My students had a great time learning about the mechanics of beat boxing as well as the CULTURAL and musical influences that inspired Shodekeh to become a top notch beat boxer!" - Susan Hayman. Wide Angle Youth Media is a 501c3 non-profit that provides Baltimore youth with opportunities to tell their own stories using video technology, public speaking, and critical thinking skills. Through after school programs, community events, our annual Who Are You? Youth Media Festival, and our youth-run television show, Wide Angle strives to make media make a difference." - Wide Angle Youth Media. Video produced by and used with permission from Wide Angle Youth Media.

"The MUSIC LAB Fall Semester is in session! Our fall hours are Monday-Friday 3:00-7:00PM. Please view the fall schedule of classes. Students can enroll for the fall semester up until the last day of fall orientation - Wednesday, September 22. However, you must attend that dayâ??s orientation class from 4:00-5:00PM if waiting until the last day to enroll. All new members must attend one of our orientation classes before being able to access the facility. These can be found on the fall schedule of classes. TUESDAYS are Music Lab Tour Days! Come any Tuesday during any semester between 4:00-6:00pm to see the Lab in action and get a personalized tour!" - The Music Lab @ The Jefferson Center. Video by Levitcus.

"The Creative Alliance joins with other community institutions - churches, schools and libraries - to provide for the needs of neighborhood children. The Creative Alliance offers summer and after-school programs to give kids a safe haven. With the rising demand for the Creative Allianceâ??s quality, INNOVATIVE ART EDUCATION programs, what began as a month-long summer program in Southeast branches of the Enoch Pratt library, has expanded year-round to teen centers, middle schools, and community centers as well as library branches." - The Creative Alliance.

"Though he also loves the work he does now as faculty accompanist for Towson University's dance department as well as at the American Dance Festival at Duke University, Shodekeh is hesitant to take his work too deeply into the academy and formalize in that way. "I think it can exist organically anywhere," he says, "but I don't like the idea of teaching it in an academic setting. Not everything has to be institutionalized." - Molly Sheridan, New Music Box.

"While Black Joe and the Honey Bears kept most peoples interest, the real drama was unfolding within the crowd. This is where we found an epic battle unfolding on a miniature chess board between chess legend/musician Shodekeh and CHILD PRODIGY Colin Dubose. The match went on for what seemed to be several minutes. The outcome of the match is still unknown as we were eventually distracted and wandered off." - What Weekly.

"The BEATBOXER is not a stranger to Meyerhoff Hall. "In the spring of 2004, I was an USHER here," Shodekeh says, "just to get as close as I could to the music here. I was always drawn to CLASSICAL MUSIC, mostly because of its use in films." Although Shodekeh initially wanted to be a filmmaker, his move into music and beatboxing was a natural. "I started, like a lot of kids, emulating sounds in an everyday environment â?? cars, motorcycles, 'Star Wars.' In the 1980s, I was exposed to beatboxing through Doug E. Fresh and Darren Robinson from the Fat Boys, the first tier of beatboxer pioneers," he said. With lots of other musical influences when he was growing up, from reggae to the once-popular "Hooked on Classics" recordings that put dance rhythm tracks to classical favorites, Shodekeh developed considerable versatility. He has performed with hip-hop and rap artists, rock and jazz musicians, and a classical chamber group. He provides accompaniment to dance classes at Towson University and the American Dance Festival at Duke University. The Vainio concerto provides a handy vehicle for Shodekeh's BSO debut. "I like it," Alsop says of the work. "It basically sets down a bed of strings playing melodic things for the beatboxer to play around with. It's pretty much an improvised solo part. And we're adding a couple of cadenzas for Shodekeh to riff on his own." Shodekeh describes the concerto as "a piece that basically captures a moment in an imaginary fairy-tale land, with a lot of tension and adventure. It kind of felt it was speaking to me in a certain way." Alsop didn't want to limit Shodekeh's involvement in the program to the concerto. She asked him to open the second half of the program with vocal improvisations. "I thought it would be a cool way to introduce the Glass symphony," the conductor says. (The BSO will perform four of the symphony's six movements.) Shodekeh has been working on something appropriate for the pre-Glass slot. "I can't give it away," he says, "but I'm hoping the moment will create an inspiration for bridging gaps." Such bridging is what the whole program is about. "Music is music," Alsop says. "And we're all in this together." - Tim Smith, The Baltimore Sun. Photo by Ra Rah. Flyer design by The BSO. July 23rd, 2010.

"The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) opens to the public on Friday, November 24th, the day after American Thanksgiving, 1995. Just as that original Thanksgiving was characterized by a peaceful encounter and joyous sharing with the new on both sides, the American Visionary Art Museum opens its doors of perception not in an effort to make war on academic or institutionalized learning, but to create a place where the best of self-taught, intuitive contributions of all kinds will be duly recognized, explored, and then CHAMPIONED in a clear strong voice." - The American Visionary Art Museum. Poster design by The American Visionary Arts Museum.

"Jason Torres talks to some biggest names in local urban music about the state of the union, and City Paper presents the first set of OFFICIAL Baltimore Hip-Hop Trading Cards. Al Shipley asks what the sound of Baltimore hip-hop is and discovers it's been here all along. J. Bowers finds a tiny community of local beatboxers making waves with both rock bands and ballet dancers. Jess Harvell talks to the Breakdown TV, creators of the first online video channel devoted to underground hip-hop. And Jaye Hunnie profiles DJ Spontaneous, the early bird of Baltimore hip-hop. All this, plus the return of our Big Music Mix Thing, filled with all kinds of music from all kinds of local artists--just in case you can't stand rap." - The City Paper Big Music Issue, 2006. Cover design by The City Paper.

"The World Affairs Athenaeum was established in 1999 as a means of extending the cultural, intellectual environment of the Conference on World Affairs throughout the academic year. While the Conference hosts over 100 speakers and performers during one week in April, the Athenaeum is designed to focus on individual distinguished guests, and these visits are scheduled throughout the fall and spring semesters. An Athenaeum guest lecturer INTERACTS with students in both formal and informal settings over a two or three day period. Athenaeum programs are an interdisciplinary exploration of ideas, drawing together students from various schools and colleges on the Boulder campus. Notable guests not only inspire students, but also find the Athenaeum to be a personally rewarding and exhilarating experience." - The Conference on World Affairs @ The University of Colorado. Poster design by The Conference on World Affairs.

"Shodekeh is a beatbox artist, and he simulates sounds ranging from drumbeats to horns, strings and other musical instruments. For the past three weeks, he has been seen in and around the dance facilities at the American Dance Festival, which just wrapped up its 75th anniversary season. He knew from the time he was 9 or 10 that he could make incredible sounds. He started doing the beatbox about 10 years ago and got his first gig at Towson State University, where a dance instructor was so impressed by his talent that he used him in dance classes. He even beatboxed for a ballet class during a semester. "This is my second year at the American Dance Festival, and I really enjoy the energy this place has and am glad to be a part of it," Shodekeh said. Shodekeh assists many of the dance classes with his music. Instructor Kraig Patterson recalls the first time Shodekeh came to assist with his class: "I said, 'Oh, well, I guess we're going to have to wait on the drums to come out' and then this voice came out of the speaker, and I said 'Ooohhhkkay!, We don't have to wait.' My energy just lifted. The EMBODIMENT of sound that came out of him was pretty spectacular." - Chuck Liddy, The News & Observer.

"High Zero is the premier festival of Improvised, EXPERIMENTAL music on the East Coast, being fully devoted to new collaborations between the most inspired improvisors from around the world. Lasting two weeks in total, the festival brings together 28 core musicians each year, but also involves a much larger subculture of musicians in Baltimore and on the East Coast. Unlike many related festivals, High Zero is not narrow in terms of sensibility or subculture, but rather widely inclusive of all the different types of experimental music-making in the moment. The fact that half of the festival's core participants are from Baltimore speaks to the depth of Baltimore's experimental music subculture, which in recent years has grown to be one of the richest cities in the country for experimental art." - The High Zero Foundation. Image used with permission from The High Zero Foundation.

"That UNFETTERED ambition and musical flexibility helped persuade Dodds to award Shodekeh one of the building's eight studio apartments. Shodekeh has the option of renewing the lease for two more years. He's the first musician to be a part of the program, which normally attracts artists who have completed a graduate degree, Dodds said. "He is just overflowing with ideas and has such positive energy," Dodds said. "It's just infectious. There's nothing that he won't try. He's totally unafraid." As a former break dancer, Richards can relate to Shodekeh's struggle against the public's perception of his calling. "I think that all art is valid," he said. "We all have something to offer. I think Shodekeh is a great ambassador for that." - Sam Sessa, The Baltimore Sun.

"The Concert for HUMAN RIGHTS was full of much deserved joy and celebration after a long and difficult three-year struggle at Camden Yards. The blazzing heat of the day was no match for the occasion and the energy brought by allies and an incredible lineup of performers and speakers. The day was set aside to reflect on the United Workers historic feat, as the first ever human rights organization led by low-wage workers to secure a living wage for day laborers. Yet we know that much work still lies ahead. The United Workers has committed to ensuring that the current cleaners have a fair opportunity to work next season for a living wage. The struggle to secure work with dignity will continue and to put an end to the human rights violations at the stadium." - The United Workers. Poster design by Ryan Harvey.

"For the past 30 years, through good times and bad, THE EAGLE has kept pace with events in Greater Dundalk. The fledgling paper, begun in 1969, grew to maturity through the vision of readers who recognized it as a sounding board for the exchange of ideas and information. The paper has served its purpose well. As The Eagle flies into the next era, it will continue to fulfill its mission as the voice of the community. Oelkes Established A True Community Paper." - The Dundalk Eagle News.

"Shodekeh, Baltimore's beatbox/vocal artist AMBASSADOR to the world, has been all up in this kind of stuff of late. Whether it's collaborating with shape-note singers, singer/songwriters, or, hell, the whole Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the young virtuoso's charged down collaborative paths that few artists in any genre would attempt with such gusto. Tonight, he joins none other than Baltimore jazz-vocal legend Ethel Ennis (picured) in her special holiday performance. Whatever the result, you've probably never heard anything like it. At all." - Michael Byrne, The City Paper. Flyer design by The Creative Alliance.

Photo of Shodekeh, Marin Alsop & the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra by Ryan Stevenson.

"Having performed the Mendelssohn some 20 times — she played it in that first performance with Ms. Kuan in North Carolina — she obviously enjoys the piece. But she said her tastes also run to free improvisation & the odd pairing, like the one with the beatboxer Shodekeh in which she offered a hip-hop-inflected, filigreed account of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” - The New York Times.

"I hadn't thought about INTERGRATING beatboxer and orchestra before," Alsop says, "but I heard a concert in London last year that involved DJs and alternative music products. It was very effective." Once Alsop learned about Baltimore's stellar beatboxer, she wanted to find a program for him. The Vainio concerto provides a handy vehicle for Shodekeh's BSO debut. "I like it," Alsop says of the work. "It basically sets down a bed of strings playing melodic things for the beatboxer to play around with. It's pretty much an improvised solo part. And we're adding a couple of cadenzas for Shodekeh to riff on his own." Shodekeh describes the concerto as "a piece that basically captures a moment in an imaginary fairy-tale land, with a lot of tension and adventure. It kind of felt it was speaking to me in a certain way." Alsop didn't want to limit Shodekeh's involvement in the program to the concerto. She asked him to open the second half of the program with vocal improvisations.

"Spotlight UB and SEB present a wild exploration into experimental music, featuring sound sculpturist Neil Feather and beat boxer Shodekah performing the work of BSO PERCUSSIONIST Brian Prechtl." - The University of Baltimore. Recorded by The Marc Steiner Show & The Center For Emerging Media. Video & Audio edits by Shodekeh.

"So, was I dreaming or did I really see Marin Alsop give over her BATON to you? Fantastic! It was fun to watch the faces of the orchestra while you were doing your thing. They were really enjoying it, too. So cool to bring the two worlds together in a way that elevates both disciplines. Well done!" - Nancy Murray. Video by Tuffnerd Productions.

"Music Director Marin Alsop will conduct the BSO in The Music of Frank Zappa and Philip Glass on Friday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The concert pays tribute to the musical TRIUMPHS of the Baltimore-born composers who pushed the music envelope. To connect the avant-garde movement of Zappa and Glass to the next generation of artists, Baltimore beatboxer Shodekeh makes his BSO debut in the U.S. premiere of Fujikoâ??s Fairy Tale by Finnish composer Jan Mikael Vainio. The concert will also introduce a 33-year-old Baltimore beatboxer, Shodekeh, in a unique collaboration of vocal drumming (beatboxing) with orchestra. Shodekeh is a Prince Georgeâ??s County native and Coppin State University graduate. In 2004, he worked as an usher at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall â??to be close to musicâ? and then moved to New York City to pursue his dream of beatboxing.

"Finally, an interview with Baltimore beatboxing LEGEND Shodekeh, who will be performing with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra tomorrow evening, in the U.S. premiere of Jan Mikael Vainio's Fujiko's Fairy Tale. Make sure to listen for the live music in studio, and make sure not to miss the exciting concert tomorrow, Friday, July 23rd at 7:30 pm. More information and tickets are available from the BSO." - The Marc Steiner Show. Segment produced by The Center For Emerging Media.

"Throughout the year, WBJC's broadcast schedule includes locally produced and hosted Classical music programming, interviews, and information about music, dance, drama, film and visual arts events occurring in Maryland and the surrounding region. WBJC regularly broadcasts programs featuring internationally renowned orchestras, opera companies and chamber ensembles such as the New York Philharmonic, Detroit and Cleveland orchestras and Music from Imperial Austria concert series; the Bayreuth Opera Festival and the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts. WBJC's schedule also includes a number of UNIQUE programs produced in its own studios such as Past Masters, Face the Music, Vocalise, Toccata, Word On Wine and the WBJC Operafest." - WBJC 91.5 FM. Segment produced by Katherine Harrison.

"Despite his inexperience accompanying dancers, especially those trained in a classical style, Thomas cited Shodekehâ??s SOUL as reason to bring him on the dance departmentâ??s staff. "I saw something more in him beyond his music. I saw his soul come through,â?? Thomas said. â??Thatâ??s one of the things, especially in the arts and any field, you want to see someoneâ??s soul come through their work, through their artistry, through their way of being. That is something that attracted to me, as well in addition to the wonderful sounds that were coming out of this human." - "The Towerlight" @ Towson University. Photo by Tuffnerd Productions. April 28th, 2010.

"You could call Shodekeh (a.k.a. Dominic Earle Shodekeh Talifero) a beatboxer or a vocal percussionist, if you want to feel a little more refined about it. But what the Baltimore-based musician seems to be more than anything is a CHAMELEON, breathing out entire rhythm and bass tracks and blending them into a borderless range of performance situations. Armed with an attention-grabbing talent and a laid-back charm, he has shared stages with hip hop artists, ballet dancers, and jazz musicians all over the country. This summer he'll take a bow with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Even Roger Ebert is a fan." - Molly Sheridan, New Music Box. Video by Molly Sheridan, with footage by Tuffnerd Productions.

"The story starts with family ties; about five years ago, assistant professor of music Weinstein attended his hip-hop dancer nephew's performance and met beat boxer Shodekeh. The two have been in touch ever since. Because of the innovative NATURE of the project, four composers were commissioned to write pieces exclusively for this performance. "We really trust all the composers. They're all really great. They're all really conscious not to use the beat boxer in the same way," Weinstein said. "Each piece is totally different. It's varied, and I think that the way they integrate the beat boxer is very innovative into the classical stuff. It's very, very innovative writing." - Teresa Tobat, The Collegiate Times. Video produced by Virginia Tech University. Video used with permission from Virginia Tech University.

"The Maryland Film Festival, funded by an unusual public/private partnership in Maryland, has two practical economic development goals: 1) to create a world class film festival centered in Baltimore, and 2) to bring filmmakers to Maryland as a way to encourage future production in the state. Our ARTISTIC GOALS are the foundation for everything we do. We recognize that there are many film festivals around the world, other good ones in and around Maryland, so the Maryland Film Festival is dedicated to adding something to what is already available. We are already establishing a unique personality. We want our festival audience to have a special experience. While not a formal market, the Maryland Film Festival has become an advocate for films and filmmakers as they enter the marketplace." - The Maryland Film Festival. Video by The CAAM Cage.

"In order to increase UNDERSTANDING about U.S. society and policies, The American Center invites American speakers and specialists to address and exchange ideas with their Lithuanian counterparts in such areas as U.S. foreign policy, defense and security, human rights, the rule of law, protection of intellectual property rights, arts management and various aspects of American culture, history, society and values. The Center also awards small grants to Lithuanian nongovernmental organizations to undertake projects designed to promote American culture in Lithuania." - The U.S. Embassy of Lithuania. Video by The U.S. Embassy of Lithuania.

"WBAL's Sandra Shaw and beatboxer Shodekeh provide some early morning beats about Baltimore magazine's upcoming Best of Baltimore Party, Aug. 26 at the HIPPODROME Theatre." - Baltimore Magazine. Video by Baltimore Magazine.

"STORIES of love, death, revenge, forgiveness. Failures small and large. Double-crossing and two-timing. Shame and success. Epiphanies that happen just in timeâ?¦and others that don't. Blood, sweat and tears--and lots of laughs. Each Stoop show features seven storytellers who get seven minutes each to tell a true, personal story about a specific theme. No notes, no scripts, no actors--just true stories, artfully told. Stoop storytellers are writers, dog-walkers, scientists, poets, moms, manicurists, museum directors, waitresses, TV hosts, taxi driversâ?¦and you! During each Stoop show, a few lucky audience members get the chance to tell three-minute stories on stage." - The Stoop Storytelling Series. Produced by The Stoop Storytelling Series.

"One of Baltimore's music legends, JAZZ VOCALIST Ethel Ennis, joins us in the studio this hour with one of Baltimore's up and coming musical talents, Beatboxer Shodekeh. We're also joined by Ethel's husband Earl Arnett, who ran the music club Ethel's Place with Ethel from 1984-1988. Ethel Ennis and Shodekeh will be performing together at the Creative Alliance this Saturday!" - The Marc Steiner Show. Segment produced by The Center For Emerging Media.

"Music & The Brain" - Artists, musicians, scientists, sound performers, theorists, listeners, students and You have been invited to share talents, research and thoughts through workshops, performances, lectures and discussions. This event is open to everyone and will encourage new thoughts about why we listen to music, what it means to us, the role music plays in our life and the mysteries of music. Some events include a Noise party! (10:30am-1:30pm, come make an instrument out of junk), Vegetable Intrument Workshop (3pm-5pm, what could be better than pumpkin bongos and carrot flutes!?), a one-man band (3:30pm-5pm), an Instrument Petting Zoo (3-5pm), BEATBOX LABORATORY w/ Shodekeh (4pm-5pm)." - The American Visionary Arts Museum. Image design by AVAM. Photo of Shodekeh by Christopher T. Assaf. November 15th, 2008.

"All of us at AVAM enjoy and respect the learning that comes from academic study or through apprenticeship to a trained artist. We dedicate AVAM exclusively, however, as a place devoted to the other path of mastery - the intuitive path of learning to listen to the small, soft voice within. We believe there is great power in not knowing what will or won't work, and we adhere to the importance of not being immersed in rule-based systems which can cloud one's vision. As in Science, ignorance often gives birth to genuinely new inventions and a RE-EXAMINATION of what has already been dismissed. Jonathan Swift defined this kind of vision so perfectly: "Vision is the art of seeing things invisible." Discovering possibilities that others do not see is what visionaries do best." - The American Visionary Arts Museum. Photo by Oddstruments.com.

"Panel discussion with some prominent Baltimore music and SCIENCE FIGURES - Charles Limb, Shodekeh, Dan Trahey, Ed Polochick - hosted by Marc Steiner (6pm). Thanks to Felice Cleveland and everyone at AVAM for putting together a great day of weird music." - American Visionary Arts Museum. Panel discussion recorded by AVAM.

"The Marriage of Art, Science, & Philosophy - This exhibition's 100+ visionary artists/scientists/inventors and philosophers take a fresh look at the very notion of light, color, sound, pattern, number, scale, and purpose in their personal pursuit of WONDER." - The American Visionary Arts Museum. Panel discussion recorded by AVAM.

"Last night we sat down in front of the wood stove to record some of the Beatboxer Shodekeh's input into "The Deerhorn Dual Devicio", which was designed based upon his input, two years ago. It was before a Mark Steiner round table symposium "Music & The Brain", at AVAM (American Visionary Art Museum), that he and I first played this beat-box stoop set. We played for a short time there and always wanted to do more. Well, here it is. Shodey kept on asking during the session exactly how does this Deerhorn work? esp. regarding the mike, and i was at short breath to try to explain. Fact is, the mike input is kind of an improvisation, a gimmick, but in a stable way, it basically adds (Kinetic) Energy to the Deerhorn RADIONIC ENERGY Collection Circuit, to make the Beatboxer's Plosives into Electronic Articulation." - Peter Blasser. Video by Carson Garhart.

"In the ESOTERIC tradition, this project stems from a philosophical symbol, the deerhorn, which is used as an antenna in radio field installations, a metaphor in lectures and ceremonies, and a carrying handle on the cases to hold the art. The Deerhorn Symbol â?¢ Ancient Chinese guqin (scholarâ??s zither) makers rub deerhorn powder into the instrument to harden the wood and reinforce its virility. â?¢ Deerhorn is hung in gentlemenâ??s lodges as a trophy. â?¢ Thus it is associated with Jagermeister, an herbal drink for deerhunters, and through German Herbalism, to Goethe. â?¢ Mexican shamans looking for plant medicine, call it â??hunting deerâ? â?¢ The deerhorn visually represents a cycle between the flesh of the brain and the "air" or "ethereal connection" at the tips of the horn. Model a deerhorn in modern material, Aluminum, and it becomes an antenna for radio waveforms.

"Throughout history, some composers have striven for a cohesive blend of cultures in the context of classical music. Excursions abroad or recognition of one's own ethnicity sometimes inspire such endeavors. [im]possibilities represents a more direct approach, borrowing from different music found more readily in the culture surrounding the composer. Cohesion - or lack thereof - is not the intent, but the question. Rhythm, derived from various forms of American popular music, is the designated role of the beatboxer in this piece. The loose notation and "jam-like" construction of the work emphasize further the importance of popular culture's influence in the work. The harmony, however, is more typical of recent thought in classical music, in this case achieved through live sampling (of Shodekeh's & Jeremiah Baker's live musical contributions) implemented with TECHNOLOGY developed by Eric Lyon, Christopher Penrose, and Dan Trueman.

"Together with scientists and otolaryngologists from Johns Hopkins Hospital, we will be conducting studies of upper airway anatomy and function (including the larynx, tongue, oropharynx, nasopharynx, and hypopharynx) during beatboxing. This intriguing project will be the first ever scientific exploration into the art of beatboxing, and will shed important new light on the MECHANISMS that underlie novel methods of breathing and vocalization." - Charles Limb. M.D. October 23rd, 2010. Musical segment performed & recorded by Charles Limb & Shodekeh @ Johns Hopkins Hospital.

"The Beatbox Laboratory is a scientific & musical approach to exploring the technology of the human body's existence as a highly advanced & vastly expressive musical instrument. This also explores experimental applications of newly developed extended vocal techniques in the world of music. With this specific lab that took place for the event, "Music & The Brain" @ The American Visionary Arts Museum on November 15th, 2008, we took an experimental & PRAGMATIC look at a variety of paradigms: Circular & Non-Circular Breathing Techniques utilized in Beatboxing. The Voluntary & Involuntary Awareness/Control of The Respiratory System. Tempo & Human Perception of Rhythmic Timing. Rhythmic Intonations & The Physiology of Vocal Percussion. The Bodily/Biological Responsiveness, Psychological Perceptiveness, & Musical Qualities of Mathematics as it relates to Rhythm. Cognitive Imagination & Psychological Associations with Sound. As well as the Musical & Prosodic Qualities of Human & Vocal Communication." - Shodekeh. Photo by Oddstruments.com.

"High Zero is the premier festival of Improvised, EXPERIMENTAL music on the East Coast, being fully devoted to new collaborations between the most inspired improvisors from around the world. Lasting two weeks in total, the festival brings together 28 core musicians each year, but also involves a much larger subculture of musicians in Baltimore and on the East Coast. Unlike many related festivals, High Zero is not narrow in terms of sensibility or subculture, but rather widely inclusive of all the different types of experimental music-making in the moment. The fact that half of the festival's core participants are from Baltimore speaks to the depth of Baltimore's experimental music subculture, which in recent years has grown to be one of the richest cities in the country for experimental art." - The High Zero Foundation. Image used with permission from The High Zero Foundation.

"Shodekeh said that he gets INSPIRATION from a challenge, competition, and community experiences; Inspiration feeds his soul and his spirituality. Margot Adler says that she is a Wiccan and she loves doing rituals. During the conference the audience was included in some rituals and the other panelists helped with the music and singing. Overall even though it was not usually my thing and I tend to steer clear from these types of things it was a very fun experience." - Hali Keller, "Blogger" Post of The Conference on World Affairs Panel Discussion "Spirituality: What Feeds My Soul", with Shodekeh, Margot Adler, Chip Bertlet, & Rony Barrak @ The University of Colorado. Photo by George Hagegeorge. April 9th, 2010.

"What is the Urbanite Project? Urbanite magazine's annual special issue, The Urbanite Project, asks, What if? What if we persuaded four UNEXPECTED pairs to collaborate? An architect and a television screenwriter? A filmmaker and an economist? Or a typographer and a fiction author? What if some of the cityâ??s most creative minds were to intersect at the junction of frustration and passion? What if we let them ask the questions, and we didn't control the results? Frans Johansson, the author of The Medici Effect, explains how the explosion of new ideas at the intersection of different fields can change Baltimore â?? starting with you. This year, we will again include Urbanite readers in the project. Those selected will be invited to join an Urbanite Project team and work with other participants who represent a wide range of fields and professions, from art and architecture to science and education." - Urbanite Magazine. March 1st, 2009.

"It's my hope when I'm in a drum circle, I'm not performing," Shodekeh, aka Dominic Shodekeh Talifero, says. "I'm presenting something to the people witnessing it, and the people that are in the drum circle with me. Whatever it may be. Like, I had a horrible week, so I am here to present some frustration. Or I had a great week, so I'm going to enjoy myself. "At this time, I'm much more interested in having a presentation, having something in which it's a MOVEMENT of community," he adds. "As long as the energy is shared--when that happens it's no longer a performance." - Michael Byrne, The City Paper. Photo by Dave Blackwell.

"It kind of seems inappropriate to invite someone [to] come in and beatbox for what is a religious experience for some people," she says over lunch in a Mount Vernon cafe "With the Shapenote Sisters, it makes more sense. For me, personally, I'm interested in it in terms of sounds. I know the kind of sounds that Shodekeh can make, and I know the kind of sounds we can make, and I'm interested to see them come together." - Carly Goss (The Shapenote Sister).

"Shodekeh mentioned the POLITICAL ROLE of lyrics in all genres but hip hop mostly and he wished that hip hop would take a more aggressive stand. One song he mentioned in particular was "Cop Killer" by Ice-T and said that some songs need to make emotional damage to create an impact such as this song, and talked a lot bout the political role that it had." - The CU Independent review of The Conference on World Affairs Panel Discussion, "Hip Hop, Be-Bop, Flip Flop: The Politcal Role of Poetry & Music" with Shodekeh, Gordon Adams, Justo Almario, & Tina Packer @ The University of Colorado. Photo by Susan Domain. April 7th, 2010.

"Shodekeh explains that the root of the idea is the broad concept of "Conversations Without Words," quoting Meredith Monk's idea that, "'there are other FACULTIES in human conversations that have nothing to do with words,'" he says. "I saw that and knew exactly what she was talking about. Personally, I think most human beings talk too much anyway, and there are so many other ways to express yourself verbally, non-verbally, non-vocally." One of the first public intros to the series--and eventual festival ("Embody, A Festival & Series of The Vocal Arts") - was in 2008 via Ignite Baltimore, the series where different presenters discuss individual topics within a 5-minute allotment. It is not a place one goes to hear extreme music. But Ignite is a place to present ideas, which is exactly what Shodekeh wants to do." - Michael Byrne, The City Paper. Photo by Ignite Baltimore.

"Five minutes, 20 slides. What would you say? At every Ignite, 16 artists, technologists, thinkers, and personalities take the stage to answer this challenge. Our goal is to SPARK new conversations and collaborations across cultures and disciplines. The Baltimore City Paper named us "Best Nerd's Night Out" in their 2009 Best of Baltimore awards! gnite was started in Seattle in 2006 by Brady Forrest and Bre Pettis. Since then hundreds of 5-minute talks have been given across the world. There are thriving Ignite communities in Seattle, Portland, Paris, and now, right here in Baltimore!" - Ignite Baltimore. Video by Ignite Baltimore.