Movement in Music Fund

Okaidja Afroso is an internationally acclaimed Ghanaian singer, multi- instrumentalist, and dancer who translates his West African heritage into engaging youth and community programming throughout the Pacific Northwest. As the founder of Makola Performing Arts, he leads school residencies and interactive library workshops like “Songs for Belonging,” using traditional drumming, language instruction, and storytelling to foster global literacy and cultural connection.

María Antonieta “Tony” Álvarez Prieto is a Eugene-based dancer and certified DanceAbility master teacher who specializes in inclusive, mixed-abilities dance methodologies for individuals with physical or developmental disabilities. Through specialized youth workshops and community partnerships, she uses rhythm and movement to help children reduce isolation, explore non-verbal communication, and build a sense of belonging

Bridging Voices is Portland’s first Queer/Straight Alliance youth chorus and one of the largest in the nation. The non-audition program provides LGBTQ+ and allied youth ages 13 to 21 with an empowering community centered on music, creative expression, and inclusive support. Through mainstage seasonal concerts, local business alliances, and appearances at events like the Portland Pride Festival, the chorus actively promotes queer visibility and advocates for accessible, gender-affirming spaces.

Fyre Killsright Daway serves as the Instrument & Facilities Manager and Summer Camp Director at Ethos Music Center, a Portland nonprofit dedicated to making music education accessible to all youth. Having initially expanded their multi-instrumental skills through an internship with the Artist Mentorship Program, Fyre has been an integral part of Ethos since 2018. In addition to directing youth summer music camps, they oversee Ethos’s all-ages venue and actively contribute to the broader local arts scene through performance, media production, and community outreach.

Brent Florendo (Sitwalla-Pum) is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, traditional storyteller, multi-talented artist, and dedicated educator. He co-founded the Native American Studies department at Southern Oregon University, where he co-directs the Konaway Nika Tilicum Academy for Native youth academic and cultural enrichment. A frequent collaborator with the Oregon Symphony and Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Florendo integrates traditional drumming, dance, and music to preserve Indigenous culture and mentor younger generations.

Toni Hill is a Portland-based Afro-Indigenous singer, emcee, and spoken-word poet who has shared stages with major acts like The Roots and performs with groups like Sirens Echo. As a dedicated teaching artist, she empowers youth by facilitating creative writing, music production, and public speaking workshops for prominent national and local organizations. Toni won the Lilla Jewel Award in 2012.

Jolly Wrapper is a Portland-based musical performer, slam poet, and visual artist who blends hip-hop and bedroom-pop to create his signature sound. As the founder of the Janky Wheelhouse collective and a teaching artist for Arts for Learning NW, he provides hands-on mentorship, workshops, and creative resources to empower underserved youth.

The Latinx Choral Project (LCP) a Portland-based, all-ages community choir that removes economic barriers to nurture cultural pride and well-being. Through weekly rehearsals at Portland State University and free performances, the initiative connects Latine youth with culturally relevant music education, mentorship, and a diverse, intergenerational repertoire.

Medicine Bear is a cultural artist and the Executive Director of Medicine Bear, an organization providing creative healing for system-involved youth. Through culturally grounded arts initiatives, mentorship, and the Joven Noble rites-of-passage curriculum, he helps young people in juvenile justice settings process trauma, discover their creative voices, and reconnect with their identity.

Víctor Iván Rochin Mancha is an educator at Sana Sana’s CSE who uses music composition, production, and instrument classes as a transformative pathway for healing and self-discovery. Through accessible mentorship and creative workshops, he empowers immigrant, refugee, and special needs youth to process complex emotions, overcome isolation, and reconnect with their cultural roots.

Jonny Sanders (aka Jonny Cool) is a Portland-based multidisciplinary artist, composer, and producer whose credits include work alongside major industry icons like Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, and John Legend. Beyond headline performances at major regional venues like Pickathon and The Crystal Ballroom, Sanders has built a global audience with over 500,000 streams across 72 countries. He also dedicates his talents to empowering youth, serving as a poetry instructor for Portland Public Schools and curating youth arts programs for the Portland Art Museum.

Aaron Nigel Smith is a Grammy-nominated musician, educator, and non-profit leader dedicated to using music as a tool for youth development and community building. As Education and Community Programs Manager at The Reser, he designs interactive curricula that build literacy, math skills, and social-emotional wellness through reggae rhythms, movement, and active student participation. Smith is also the founder of One World Creative, an international non-profit that has served over 21,000 youth globally, and the creator of the widely implemented FUNdamentals of Music & Movement program.

Dr. JerMichael Riley, Latitia McFarland and Terry Cason Jr., empower youth through engaging theater education and community-driven arts programs. All three are heavily involved in the PNW gospel music scene, most notably collaborating with the PassinArt Theatre Company in Portland.

Dr. JeriMichael Riley is originally from Greenville, Mississippi. He is a seasoned Gospel Music Director, solo recording artist, and lead vocalist for the Grammy and Stellar Award-winning Mississippi Mass Choir. He has shared the stage with music icons like Patti LaBelle and The Clark Sisters.

Dr. JerMichael Riley, Latitia McFarland and Terry Cason Jr., empower youth through engaging theater education and community-driven arts programs. All three are heavily involved in the PNW gospel music scene, most notably collaborating with the PassinArt Theatre Company in Portland.

Latitia McFarland is a Portland-raised soprano and lead vocalist who began her musical journey at age five in the New Hope Baptist youth choir. Over her extensive career, she has developed into a highly sought-after vocal artist and powerful ministry leader. Her talent has taken her to major stages, including backing legendary music icons Celine Dion and Kim Burrell.

Dr. JerMichael Riley, Latitia McFarland and Terry Cason Jr., empower youth through engaging theater education and community-driven arts programs. All three are heavily involved in the PNW gospel music scene, most notably collaborating with the PassinArt Theatre Company in Portland.

Terry Cason Jr. is an accomplished Pacific Northwest gospel songwriter, composer, and worship leader who writes original praise and worship arrangements for regional choirs.