BIO

I am a writer, researcher, cultural producer, educator, and artist currently based in Austin, by way of North Jersey, with roots in the Caribbean. Through my work, I am dedicated to expanding narratives and increasing representation in the arts. 

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In 2019, I founded Future Traditions Fest in Austin, a platform for experimental Latinx performance. The festival includes curated collaborations between electronic and traditional musicians as well as innovative work from composers, musicians, and multimedia artists. 

 

My qualitative, ethnographic research focuses on Latine festivals, technology,  futurity, and experimentalism. In particular, I am interested in boundary-pushing experimental and alternative cultural expressions of Latinidad amongst US Latines. I have also conducted field research in Buenos Aires on the digital folklore scene. 

 

At Texas Folklife, a statewide public folklore organization, I launched the Community Folklife Fellowship program, a statewide public folklore initiative that trains a cohort of adults on how to conduct folklore projects in their own communities and produce audio stories from their research. I am the executive producer for The Folklorist Next Door podcast.

 

In addition to my public folklore, academic research, and cultural production work, I sit on the board of Cine Las Americas, an Austin-based film festival featuring work from Latine filmmakers across the continent. I also write grants for artists and arts organizations on a freelance basis. 

 

I have a PhD in Ethnomusicology from the University of Texas at Austin, with a portfolio in Arts & Cultural Management. My BA/BFA was in Arts in Context and Jazz Performance from The New School. I am a vocalist, but please don't ask me to scat.

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When not working, I can be found paddle boarding, traveling, singing, or making weird electronic soundscapes.