Kenya Shakoor is a photographer and multi-disciplinary artist born and raised in Tacoma. Her work is a love offering; it is a contribution to the female gaze, rooted in a politic of care. City of Tacoma Council Member Jamika Scott describes Kenya’s work as photography and cinematography that “captures Black experience and existence in deep, yet soft and ethereal ways. Her work is savory and compelling and hard to ignore.”

In 2025, Kenya wrote, directed, and acted in a one-act play called Adjust Your Crown, an ode to a Maya Angelou quote. The play chronicles an unexpected moment of connection that turns into a layered conversation about everything from the cost of living to generational trauma and joy, reparations, and the current presidency.

From 2023 to 2025, Kenya served on the Tacoma Arts Commission, and in 2024, she served as Chair. About her leadership, former Arts Commissioner, composer, and sound liberator, Joe Williams says she's, “an unstoppable force for good within our community.”

In 2026, she is spinning all vinyl DJ sets and embodying Jazz as her life philosophy. That looks like embracing improvisation over rigidity, honoring duality, and continuing to center Blackness as divine intelligence.

Dr. Kate MacKenzie is a bassoonist, educator, arts administrator, and advocate dedicated to fostering vibrant artistic communities. She works at the intersection of arts administration, policy, and economic development, serving on the board of the Lake Stevens Arts & Parks Foundation and the Snohomish County Arts Commission. She has played a key role in numerous arts initiatives, including founding the Lake Stevens Community Concert Band and supporting creative sector growth through the Cultural Arts Network of Snohomish County.

As a bassoon historian, Dr. MacKenzie’s research focuses on the overlooked contributions of women in bassoon performance. She has presented lectures and workshops nationwide, including at the International Double Reed Society and the Meg Quigley Bassoon Symposium. Her work on performance anxiety and gender has been published in The Double Reed Journal (Understanding Performance Anxiety: An Analysis of Gender and Double Reed Musicians, Vol. 36 No. 2).

Dr. MacKenzie holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Arizona State University, a Master of Music from Miami University of Ohio, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of California, Davis. Her primary teachers include Dr. Albie Micklich, Dr. Christin Schillinger, David Granger, and David Seidel.

Founding President Bhavani Kotha is a strong advocate for empowering women in classical music. Unbound Symphony brings together her many interests including music, nonprofit work, and supporting women artists. Her dream is to see the next generation of musicians have more equitable performing opportunities without barriers. Her experiences both as an oboist and working in the nonprofit industry have inspired her to take on a leadership role and help create the change she desires, together with an incredible team.

“Bhavani Kotha shines…she takes listeners on a musical journey that is both exciting and calming, and it is a joy to become absorbed in her playing. Her mastery of the oboe in all registers is noteworthy.” --The Instrumentalist

Based in Seattle, WA, she performs with orchestras throughout the region. Recently, she performed with the Seattle Symphony as substitute Principal Oboist. Additional orchestra engagements include the Fifth Avenue Theatre, Auburn Symphony,  Oregon Symphony, Eugene Symphony, and North Corner Chamber Orchestra (NOCCO)…