About The Finding Rhythm Collective
Learn more about each individual member of the collective and how they contribute to the Finding Rhythm mission in the classroom and on the stage!
Bio
Dr. Jessica Phillips-Silver
Jessica Phillips-Silver, Ph.D., is a music neuroscience scholar and international speaker, founder of Growing Brains, and the creator of the Finding Rhythm music project and educational curriculum.
Dr. Jessica’s work explores how musical rhythm shapes brain growth from infancy, supports healing, and provides the brain basis for human connection. Her research has been featured in top scientific journals including Science Magazine, and in media including The Discovery Channel, NPR, NBC4, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, USA Today, MSNBC, Men’s Health, and The Atlantic.
Dr. Jessica was formerly an Associate Researcher in Neuroscience at Georgetown University, where she used neuroimaging to investigate the neural network for feeling rhythm in music. She served as Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Music, where she developed Georgetown's first course on Music and the Brain. Prior to that Dr. Jessica was a postdoctoral fellow at the International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound in Montreal, after completing her Ph.D. in Auditory and Music Neuroscience at the McMaster Institute for Music and the Mind in Ontario, and a Bachelor of Humanities & Arts degree in Cognitive Science & Vocal Music from Carnegie Mellon University.
On Stage & In The Classroom
The Scientist/Narrator
Creator
Vocals
The show Finding Rhythm, supported by multiple grants from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and other community partners, is a culmination of Dr. Jessica’s research and arts advocacy, and is a tribute to the power of the rhythms of DC's go-go music to grow children's brains, build connection, and find the source of their power.
Bio
Dante’ Pope
Dante' Pope is a multi-genre drummer-vocalist and a native of Chicago, and member of the Grammy award-winning band Old Crow Medicine Show. He blends his gospel roots with a soulful swing that has been showcased around the world. Dante' is a Grammy Board Member of the D.C. Chapter. His passion for arts in education connected him with The Musicianship, DC Public Schools, The Mayor's Youth Employment Program, and Levine School of Music as a percussion instructor.
Dante' released his debut soul project, 'After Five Music,' as a Strathmore Artist in Residence in 2019. He toured with Kenny Wesley and the Soulful Nerd Band, served as Music Director for Grammy-nominated soul artist Raheem Devaughn and the CrossRhodes, toured the country with Grammy Award-winning artist Dom Flemons' Old Crow Medicine Show, and has collaborated with a host of artists in genres from jazz to afrobeat. Dante' collaborated on the 2019 Grammy-nominated album 'Black Cowboys', a project with Dom Flemons and Smithsonian Folkways.
On Stage & In The Classroom
Father Rhythm
Arranger
Producer
Education Mentor
Percussion
Vocals
As Music Director, arranger, percussionist, and lead vocalist in the role of Father Rhythm, Dante' shares not only his vast musical skills, but a deep well of inspiration, cultural compassion, and thoughtful partnership in the musical Finding Rhythm.
Bio
Sylvia Soumah
Sylvia Soumah is the Founder/Artistic Director of Coyaba Dance Theater, a two-time recipient of the D.C. Dance Award. Sylvia collaborated with Daniel Burkholder, Step Afrika, Usuthu Arts Productions in South Africa, and Salamata of Ghana. She is Co-Choreographer/Performer with What's Going On touring company under the direction of Vincent Thomas.
Sylvia studied in Guinea with Les Ballets Africaines, and in Senegal under Bouly Sonko, Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Senegal. She performed with Wo'se Dance Theater, Moustapha Bangoura, Mamady Keita, Erika Thimey Dance Theater, and Carla & Company. Sylvia is head of Dance Place's African Dance Program, and Associate Artistic Director of Dance Africa DC. In 2015 she was awarded the Pola Nirenska Award for outstanding contributions in the field of dance and education. Coyaba Dance Theater has celebrated over 20 years of portraying Traditional West African dance and drumming.
On Stage & In The Classroom
Mother Dance
Choreographer
Dance
Vocals
In the role of Mother Dance, Sylvia brings a nurturing quality to the show Finding Rhythm, helping children and families remember where they come from—and how rhythm can always bring them home. As a master teaching artist, Sylvia takes students under her wing and makes every one of them a part of the go-go rhythms.
Bio
Rochelle Rice
Award-winning vocalist, composer and clinician, Rochelle Rice combines the best of past and present American music. Her profound and flawless sound is a woven tapestry of jazz-centric contemporary pop and soul, while her undeniable stage presence and boldness mark her territory as an artist to follow on the new music scene. Rochelle has performed at top venues including The Kennedy Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Blues Alley, Strathmore Mansion, and Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley.
Increasingly in demand, Rochelle’s versatility and unique skills as a singer, composer and clinician have allowed her the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s most acclaimed musicians, including touring with the internationally renowned a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock, and performing with Grammy award-winning rock music icon, Melissa Etheridge. In Rochelle’s work towards social justice she sang in honor of Congressman John Lewis and for the Grand Opening and First Anniversary Celebration of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
On Stage & In The Classroom
Sister Song
Vocals
In the role of Sister Song in Finding Rhythm, Rochelle graces families with her velvet-soft tone and soulful rendition of the song Dance, Mother Dance.
Bio
Dior Ashley Brown
DC-based, award-winning artist extraordinaire Dior Ashely Brown has been dubbed the “Hip-Hop Polymath” by the Washington Post, balancing the roles of musician, actor, poet, playwright, activist, Emcee, business owner and more.
A proud alumna of Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Brown understood early on the power of her voice. Her mission is to maintain the soul of music, empower all people, especially Black women and girls, and leave a legacy of positive change.
Brown has performed solo and as part of all-female powerhouse groups F.L.O.T.U.S. (First Ladies of the Urban Scene) and IZA FLO at notable venues including The Kennedy Center, WUSA9 DMV Soundcheck, 9:30 Club, and Apple Carnegie Library. She has been featured in the Washington Post, Washington Life Magazine, and the Guest List. Brown is the founder of the DC Music Summit, a networking conference for rising artists.
On Stage & In The Classroom
Queen Beat
Rap Lyricist
Vocals
As Finding Rhythm’s Queen Beat, Brown enchants the audience, getting them up out of their seats and teaching children the source of their power.
Bio
Kaiyla Gross
Kaiyla Gross was born and raised in Maryland. She spent most of her time playing sports and singing a little in church but didn’t truly begin singing until her junior year of college. She studied Exercise Science with a focus on Kinesiotherapy at Norfolk State University while performing in regional theater performances in the DMV at such venues as the Virginia Stage Company and the Museum of the Bible. She hopes to integrate her love for the medical field and performing.
DC Area: Signature Theater: The Color Purple (Nettie), RENT (ensemble); Next Stop Theater: Beehive, The 60’s Musical (Aretha); Olney Theater Center: Miss You Like Hell (Pearl). Regional: Duluth Playhouse: Ragtime; Virginia Stage Company: A Christmas Carol (Belinda Cratchit), The Earth Remembers; World Stage Theater: Amazing Grace (Princess Peyai); Norfolk State University Theater Company: The Color Purple (Celie), Once on this Island (TiMoune), Eclipsed (Maima).
On Stage & In The Classroom
Sister Song/Auntie Rhythm
Vocals
Kaiyla hopes to inspire others to follow all their dreams because you never know where it will take you!
Bio
Elijah Jamal Balbed
Elijah Jamal Balbed is native of the DMV area and one of the premiere Jazz Artists in Washington, DC. Winner of the 2020 DC Jazz Prix Competition, Elijah has also been named Best Tenor Saxophonist (2013) and Best New Jazz Musician (2009) by the Washington City Paper and has been featured in various publications such as WBGO, The Washington Post, Capital Bop, and Smithsonian Magazine. Elijah has performed, recorded and/or toured with Fantasia, The Blackbyrds, Winard Harper & Jeli Posse, Patti Austin, Angelique Kidjo, Dr. John (RIP), George Duke (RIP), and Sugar Bear. Elijah performed with the Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown from 2011 until Mr. Brown’s passing in 2012. During his participation in the Artist-in-Residence program at Strathmore in 2014, Elijah founded The JoGo Project - a Jazz / Go-Go fusion band dedicated to promoting and preserving the legacy of DC’s unique art form.
Over the last decade, Elijah has also established himself as an International Artist, having performed in Japan, the United Kingdom, Jazz at Lincoln Center Hoha (Qatar), and on the Capital Jazz Cruise which has taken Elijah all around the Caribbean Islands. In 2018 and 2019, Elijah led cultural diplomacy tours in Russia on behalf of the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Consulate in Yekaterinburg, sponsored by the Forum for Cultural Exchange (FCE). In 2021, Elijah performed at the Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival in Haiti with Trinidadian Steel Pan player Josanne Francis. Elijah currently performs and tours with Saxophonist Mike Phillips, The Chuck Brown Band, and Doug E Fresh.
On Stage & In The Classroom
Finding Rhythm Education Mentor
Saxophone
Finding Rhythm Musicians & Contributors
Amadou Kouyate
Kora
Mark G. Meadows
Piano
Matthew Miller
Latin Percussion, Drums
Kinard Cherry
Bass
Uasuf Gueye
Balafon
Mongezi Ntaka
Guitar
Pete Muldoon
Electric Guitar
Marshall Keys
Soprano Saxophone
Kristen Arant
African Drums
Finding Rhythm in the News
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The DCist and NPR did a feature segment on our children’s musical Finding Rhythm! Read the DCist and Listen to NPR.
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NBC4’s The Tommy Show interviewed Dr. Jessica and Dante’ Pope on the premiere of our educational musical based in science and rhythm. Watch NBC4.