ABLE Voices Podcast

Dr. Rhoda Bernard, founder and managing director of the Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs is proud to present and host our debut episode of the ABLE Voices podcast featuring artists and arts educators with disabilities. We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Our first guest is Matt Savage, who will be our guest host in upcoming episodes.

Savage is a pianist, composer, bandleader, and music educator on the autism spectrum who has played professionally since childhood. He has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, and Chaka Khan. He has recorded more than a dozen albums and teaches at colleges in Boston and New Hampshire.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 1 - Matt Savage [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guest hosts for the ABLE Voices podcast. Our first guest podcast host is Matt Savage, a jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and music educator on the autism spectrum. In Episode 2, Savage will be interviewing Wayne Pearcy, a trumpeter, cornet player, and Berklee alum who has been blind from birth. A professional composer and performer, Pearcy records and performs in both jazz and classical music idioms.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 2 - Wayne Pearcy [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guest hosts for the ABLE Voices podcast and our first guest podcast host is Matt Savage, a jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and music educator on the autism spectrum. For episode 3, Savage will be speaking with Nick Gusman, a singer-songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist on the autism spectrum. Gusman has performed and collaborated with a number of high profile artists including Stephen Stills, Elliot Easton, and Syd Straw.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Episode 3 - Nick Gusman [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our first next guest is Sophia Grech, who will also be our next featured guest host on the next upcoming episode releases. Grech is an internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano on the autism spectrum. She has performed at leading concert halls, opera houses, and international festivals worldwide and has given master classes around the world. She graduated from the Royal College of Music in 1995. In 2015, Grech was diagnosed with autism and is now a leading ambassador on behalf of associated organizations in addition to her performing career.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 4 - Sophia Grech [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our current guest host is internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Sophia Grech. For today's episode, Grech will be talking with Tony Rudd, a British radio host, impressionist, actor, and author with autism.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 5 - Tony Rudd [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our current guest host is internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Sophia Grech. For today's episode, Grech will be talking with Mark Beer, a renowned British actor of stage and screen who was born with cerebral palsy.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 6 - Mark Beer [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our current guest host is internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Sophia Grech. For today's episode, Grech will be talking with Lucy McCarthy, a British professional photographer and disability rights advocate with several invisible disabilities including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 7 - Lucy McCarthy [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our first next guest is Precious Perez who will also be our next featured guest host on the next upcoming episode releases. Perez is a vocalist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, published children's author, and a disability rights advocate. Perez is a classically trained, pop, R&B, and Latin vocalist and has a double bachelor's degree in music education and vocal performance from Berklee College of Music. Perez is blind and her goal is to demonstrate that visually impaired and disabled individuals are as capable as anyone else in achieving their dreams.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 8 - Precious Perez [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our current guest host is Precious Perez, a blind vocalist, songwriter, and disability rights advocate. For today's episode, Perez will be talking with Dan Romero (Label) and Isaac Malik Wilson (Question), both blind producers, musicians, and rappers. They both currently write and produce music for their collaboration, "Blind and Famous."

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 9 - Dan Romero and Isaac Malik Wilson [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our current guest host is Precious Perez, a blind vocalist, songwriter and disability rights advocate. For today's episode, Perez will be talking with Shane Lowe, percussionist, host of the Talking Head Podcast and founder of Venom, a network of original media, streaming, radio, and podcasting.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 10 - Shane Lowe [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and our current guest host is Precious Perez, a blind vocalist, songwriter, and disability rights advocate. For today's episode, Perez will be talking with John Dowling Jr., a blind country singer, songwriter, and multi -instrumentalist.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 11 - John Dowling [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and today's guest, Adrian Anantawan, will also be our next guest host. Anantawan is a world-renowned violinist, music educator, and disabilities advocate and was born without a right hand.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 12 - Adrian Anantawan [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and today's guest host is Adrian Anantawan. Anantawan is a world-renowned violinist, music educator, and disabilities advocate and was born without a right hand. Today's guest is Ellice Patterson. Patterson is the founder and executive and artistic director of Abilities Dance, a Boston-based dance company that welcomes artists across the nation with and without disabilities.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 13 - Ellice Patterson [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and today's guest, Noah Britton, will also be our next guest host. Britton is diagnosed with autism and is a comedian, cofounder of the comedy troupe Asperger's Are Us, psychology professor, and musician.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 14 - Noah Britton [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and today's host is Noah Britton. Britton is diagnosed with autism and is a comedian, cofounder of the comedy troupe Asperger's Are Us, psychology professor, and musician. Our guest for today's episode is Robert Jensen. Robert is a visual artist of various capacities, a sculpture maker, metal worker, jewelry designer, and music venue owner. Jensen is paraplegic and lost use of his legs following an accidental spinal injury.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 15 - Robert Jensen [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices and today's host is Noah Britton. Britton is diagnosed with autism and is a comedian, cofounder of the comedy troupe Asperger's Are Us, psychology professor, and musician. Our guest for today's episode is Glen Maganzini. Maganzini was diagnosed with autism and is the founder of the Boston-based musical group G. Gordon Gritty, guitarist of Johnny and the Foodmasters, and cofounder of record label and festival Kids Like You and Me (KLYAM).

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 16 - Glen Maganzini [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest, Renata Da Costa, will also be our next upcoming guest host. Da Costa is a Brazilian is a children's author, actor, teacher, photographer, artisan, and writer. Da Costa is a disabilities advocate and was diagnosed with autism as an adult.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 17 - Renata Da Costa [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Our guest host for today is Renata Da Costa. Da Costa is a Brazilian children's author, actor, teacher, photographer, artisan, and writer. Da Costa is a disabilities advocate and was diagnosed with autism as an adult. For today's episode, Da Costa will be interviewing Beatris Hoffmann, a Brazilian author, screenwriter, ghost writer, journalist, actor, and visual artist. Hoffmann has a condition called nystagmus.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 18 - Beatris Hoffmann [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest, Grace Everett, will also be our next upcoming guest host. Everett is an award-winning playwright, actress, and singer. Everett is a disabilities advocate and was diagnosed with autism as an adult. The ABLE Voices podcast is produced and edited by Daniel Martinez del Campo, BIAAE's operations coordinator. The introduction music was written by Kai Levin and the ending song was written by Sebastian Batista. Levin and Batista are students in the Arts Education Programs at the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 19 - Grace Everett [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Grace Everett, an award-winning playwright, actress, and singer. Everett is a disabilities advocate and was diagnosed with autism as an adult. For today's episode, Everett will be interviewing Meredith Aleigha Wells. Meredith Aleigha Wells is a queer and disabled performer, writer, creator, and educator based in Chicago and is best known for their performance as Punky Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas the Musical, marking the first performance by a wheelchair user in a Broadway national tour.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 20 - Meredith Aleigha Wells [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Grace Everett, an award-winning playwright, actress, and singer. Everett is a disabilities advocate and was diagnosed with autism as an adult. For today's episode, Everett will be interviewing Grace Douglas. Douglas is a blind freshman studying at the University of Souther Illinois to obtain a B.F.A. in musical theater. Douglas is a musical theater performer and dancer with an interest in sound design.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 21 - Grace Douglas [Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Grace Everett, an award-winning playwright, actress, and singer. Everett is a disabilities advocate and was diagnosed with autism as an adult. For today's episode, Everett will be interviewing Autumn Best. Best is a TV, film, and stage actress, as well as a singer and writer based out of New York. Best, who has a limb difference, has been performing on stage since she was 4 and is excited for others to see someone who looks like them on screen. She wants to be a role model for those who have a disability looking to pursue their dreams.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 22 - Autumn Best Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest, Megan Bent, will also be our next upcoming guest host. Megan Bent is a lens-based artist interested in the malleability of photography and the ways image-making can happen beyond using a traditional camera. This interest started to occur after the diagnosis of a progressive chronic illness. She is drawn to image-making processes that reflect and embrace her disabled experience; especially interdependence, impermanence, care, and slowness.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 23 - Megan Bent Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Megan Bent. Bent is a lens-based artist interested in the malleability of photography and the ways image-making can happen beyond using a traditional camera. This interest started to occur after the diagnosis of a progressive chronic illness. She is drawn to image-making processes that reflect and embrace her disabled experience; especially interdependence, impermanence, care, and slowness. For today's episode, Bent will be interviewing Moira Williams. Williams (they/them) is a disabled Indigenous artist, cross-disability cultural activist, and access doula; they cocreate and weave disability justice together with crip celebratory resistance and environmental justice. Williams believes in access as art and “access intimacy” as an attitude are needed to push beyond the limitations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 24 - Moira Williams Full Transcript]

We are inviting disabled artists and arts educators to be guests and guest hosts on ABLE Voices. Today's guest host is Megan Bent. Bent is a lens-based artist interested in the malleability of photography and the ways image-making can happen beyond using a traditional camera. This interest started to occur after the diagnosis of a progressive chronic illness. She is drawn to image-making processes that reflect and embrace her disabled experience; especially interdependence, impermanence, care, and slowness. For today's episode, Bent will be interviewing Jeff Kasper. Kasper is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, and educator working in public art, design, and social engagement. He creates pedagogical tools, text-based projects, social spaces, publications, games, exhibitions, community education, and workshops, often in partnership with organizations. Much of his recent work examines the dynamics of social support, proximity, and safety, with a focus on how people practice care and collaboration, especially in times of conflict and crisis.

A full transcript of the episode is available to read here: ABLE Voices Ep 25 - Jeff Kasper Full Transcript]