
Kei Slaughter Named OneBeat 11 Fellow In addition to the fellowship, the music therapy faculty member recently conducted an original commissioned piece at the Pride Arts Showcase in Cincinnati.
By
Daniel Pesquera
April 14, 2023
Kei Slaughter
Kei Slaughter, an associate professor in Berklee's Music Therapy Department, has been named a OneBeat 11 Fellow, a distinction given to leading musical and social innovators. With the honor, Slaughter joins OneBeat 11, a group of 25 artists from 17 countries that includes musicians, instrument builders, sculptors, educators, and entrepreneurs.
Slaughters selection for the fellowship was a notable achievement, as the 25 artists were chosen from a pool of more than 1,200 applicants. The selection theme for 2023 is Buried Knowledge, a concept that examines music's role in unearthing, reviving, and celebrating hidden or suppressed histories, traditions, and cultures. Fellows will work with renowned musicians and cultural leaders such as Lonnie Holley, Carlton Tuner, and Matthew Evan Taylor to create original works that inspire deeper connection to diverse cultural heritage.
Created by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, OneBeat connects musicians from around the globe to collaboratively write, produce, and perform original music while developing strategies for arts-based civic and social engagement.
I look forward to working alongside a host of so many amazing musicians and creative collaborators from all over the world, and learning things that I can integrate into my teaching here at Berklee and into my clinical practice as a music therapist serving marginalized communities, said Slaughter. I also want to express my gratitude to my department chair, Dr. Joy Allen, and my music therapy colleagues here at Berklee, for their unwavering support.
Kei Slaughter conducts a flute choir through their original work, ban, at the Pride Arts Showcase.
Image by Vincenzo Volpe
In addition to the fellowship, Slaughter was recently commissioned to compose an original work for the Pride Arts Showcase on International Transgender Day of Visibility in Cincinnati, Ohio. Their piece, titled ban, was performed by queer and allied flutists from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) as part of a community celebration of art and expression. Slaughter conducted the flute choir through the performance, which served as a workshop for the piece before its official premiere this summer.
Fellow flutist Vincenzo Volpe, a D.M.A. candidate at CCM, tapped Slaughter to write a brand new piece for the Pride Arts Showcase, a cross-disciplinary event that aims to amplify the voices of transgender and nonbinary artists alongside the rest of the LGBTQ community. As a queer Black composer, Slaughter drew inspiration from the recent antitrans legislation they believe threatens their basic right to a safe space for authentic self-expression.
My work ban is an extension of my reflections, reactions, and relationship to the current sociopolitical climate and the blatant violence against and discarding of trans people, said Slaughter. As a nonbinary transmasculine person, writing this piece was very cathartic for me. The fact that it premiered on International Transgender Day of Visibility was even more special.
Kei Slaughter with Vincenzo Volpe at the Pride Arts Showcase
Our community has done very little to amplify the voices of Black and brown composers, and even less for our transgender and nonbinary siblings, said Volpe. Considering the political climate of today, it is important now more than ever to practice social justice through our work as artists and celebrate all identities.
While Slaughter has been a board-certified music therapist for over 12 years, their original dream was to become a pediatrician. However, with roots deeply embedded in classical flute and the spiritual songs of the New Orleans church, Slaughter could not abandon their passion for music. Music therapy proved to be a perfect match for Slaughter, who specializes in therapy for BIPOC youth, LGBTQIA2S individuals, and survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. Additionally, Slaughter is the founder of S O U L F O L K Sounds, a music and wellness practice that focuses on elevating and sustaining Black queer and trans communities.
Slaughter will be present when ban officially premieres at the annual National Flute Association Convention, held in Phoenix, Arizona, on August 5. The piece will be performed by the National Flute Association LGBTQ Flute Choir.
Our team is incredibly proud to work with and learn alongside Professor Slaughter. We are beyond excited for them to receive this extremely well-deserved fellowship, said Dr. Joy Allen, chair of the Music Therapy Department. Professor Slaughter brings a wealth of experience as an educator, clinician, musician, and community leader. Furthermore, their authenticity and presence resonates with students, faculty, staff, and the greater community. Professor Slaughter has a deep understanding of music's vital ability to give a voice to those who have been silenced and marginalized and its ability to foster hope and build community. This is reflected in their empathetic approach to music therapy, and their dedicated efforts as an advocate for the LGBTQIA2S and BIPOC communities.
Related Categories
News
Most Popular
Erica Muhl is inaugurated as Berklees president at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on April 4.
Image by Michael D. Spencer
Berklee Celebrates the Inauguration of President Erica Muhl Muhl is the first woman and fourth president to lead Berklee.
Latest
Kei Slaughter
Kei Slaughter Named OneBeat 11 Fellow In addition to the fellowship, the music therapy faculty member recently conducted an original commissioned piece at the
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
09/10/2026
September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
10/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
10/09/2026
Leading professional audio manufacturers NUGEN Audio, RTW, Steinberg and Telos Alliance have joined forces with Fraunhofer IDMT to establish a common approach t...
10/09/2026
Built Into Setplex's Zapflex Platform, AI Insider Turns Video Service Data Into Actionable Insights
Setplex today introduced AI Insider, a breakthrough new...
10/09/2026
Managed service changes dialogue without actor-specific training or facial rigging while preserving the original performance and fitting established post-produc...
10/09/2026
The ACT Entertainment tvONE and Green Hippo Pixel Academy has released its autumn course schedule, with hands-on training dates in September, October and Novemb...
10/09/2026
Orange Polska continues to Rely on Viaccess-Orca for Secure TV Services and the Next Phase of its Technology Evolution
Viaccess-Orca (VO), a global leader in T...
10/09/2026
Generate and create directly in your timeline with new AI-powered innovations in...
10/09/2026
Tedial is introducing Media Business Hub (MBH) at IBC 2026, a new business enablement platform designed to help media organizations unlock the full value of the...
10/09/2026
Globecast, a leading provider of broadcast, media and entertainment managed services, will unveil the next phase of its transformation at IBC2026 with a preview...
10/09/2026
Fabric Data and TMT Insights today announced that the two companies are combining to create Fabric Insights, uniting authoritative data, purpose-built software,...
10/09/2026
Operative, the preferred advertising and broadcast management provider for the world's leading media brands, today announced a comprehensive slate of new pr...
10/09/2026
Test & measurement innovator, Leader Electronics of Europe, has announced the launch of its latest range of handheld signal generation, analysis and monitoring ...
10/09/2026
The partnership begins with native Zixi protocol support on the Kiloview D350 and will extend to deeper product integration and joint go-to-market initiatives
...
10/09/2026
Avid and FilmLight announce strategic partnership to reimagine the color pipelin...
10/09/2026
Maxon Brings Exclusive Preview of Fall Innovations to IBC2026
Brie Clayton September 10, 2026
0 Comments
IBC attendees will get the first look at new ...
10/09/2026
Puget Systems Launches Built Different by Puget Systems, A New Podcast That Go...
10/09/2026
Three Boston Conservatory Dance Alums Honored for Their Early-Career Promise India Hobbs and Demetrius Lee received Princess Grace Awards, while Lilly David t...
10/09/2026
MonoNeon Returns to Berklee to Kick Off Signature Series The Grammy-winning bassist and alumnus performs with students and faculty from the Planet MicroJam In...
10/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
10/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
10/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
10/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
10/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
10/09/2026
RT to Broadcast Amgen Irish Open free-to-air
New multi-year agreement will see RT continue to bring the Amgen Irish Open to Irish audiences
Ryder Cup hig...
10/09/2026
More than 30 women report allegations of sexual harassment, misogyny and bullying within National Ambulance Service
Tonight on RT Prime Time, 9:35pm, RT One ...
10/09/2026
Series 3 of Nero's Class begins Friday 11 September on RT Listen
The third...
10/09/2026
Gear up: The latest PC games and major updates are ready to play on GeForce NOW ...
10/09/2026
AI inference chipmaker d-Matrix today announced it will use NVIDIA NVLink Fusion to connect its next-generation Raptor XPUs to NVIDIA's AI infrastructure pl...
09/09/2026
Sony Electronics has announced the SEL814G, the company's first fisheye zoom G Lens for full-frame Alpha E-mount cameras. The lens will be available in Octo...
09/09/2026
Telestream has announced an expansion of its Practical AI capabilities across th...
09/09/2026
Haivision and Chyron have announced a technology partnership integrating Haivisi...
09/09/2026
Omaha Productions has released ManningCast: Heist, a short film featuring Peyton and Eli Manning attempting to break into NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's o...
09/09/2026
Imagine Communications will demonstrate the next evolution of XVR at IBC2026 (Stand 1.B73, RAI Amsterdam, September 11-14).
XVR is Imagine's channel-in-a-b...
09/09/2026
swXtch.io has announced abbe, an AI-based orchestration layer for live media workflows, making its world premiere at IBC2026 (Meeting Room 5.MR13, Hall 5, Septe...
09/09/2026
NFL Films has announced the second season of Inside the NFL on X as an X Original, premiering Wednesday, September 9. The series marks Inside the NFL's 50th...
09/09/2026
LiveU has announced an expanded partnership with The Associated Press, deploying the largest fleet of LU900Q intelligent production units in the industry as par...
09/09/2026
Diversified has announced plans to consolidate its four existing New Jersey locations into a new facility in Newark, expected to be fully operational by the end...
09/09/2026
Wisycom will exhibit new RF products at IBC2026 (Stand 8.D60, September 11-14), including the MATF Wideband Antenna Matrix, PFL Portable RF over Fiber Box, and ...
09/09/2026
Guntermann & Drunck (G&D) and VuWall, both Panoptec companies, will introduce vsNEO at IBC2026 (Stand 8.B63, September 11, RAI Amsterdam). Pre-orders open in ea...
09/09/2026
Mo-Sys has completed a business restructuring and relocated to a new facility in Canada Water, London. As part of the reorganization, Selin Kemal has been promo...
09/09/2026
Aicox has integrated TAG Video Systems' Core monitoring platform into Telef nica's TSAmediaHUB audiovisual contribution and distribution infrastructure....
09/09/2026
Blackmagic Design has released DaVinci Resolve 21.1, a free update available now through the Blackmagic Design website. The release adds new AI tools, workflow ...
09/09/2026
ESPN and Apple Music have announced a collaboration on music curation for Monday...
09/09/2026
Sacramento Production Services has completed a wireless audio overhaul at Sutter Health Park, home of the Athletics during their three-year residency in Sacrame...
09/09/2026
NDI and NVIDIA have announced a collaboration to develop AI-powered workflows enabling broadcasters to create and distribute multilingual content from a single ...
09/09/2026
Christopher Chip Adams, Troy Aikman, Jim Dove, Jim Eady, Bucky Gunts, Robert A. Iger, Charlie Jablonski, Robert Kraft, Tom Rinaldi, and Dick Stockton to be ho...
09/09/2026
ND2 returns as the primary unit, While FNIA gets SSQC and new flexible Rover...