KANSAS CITY, MO

Scroll to learn more about Kansas City’s Arts For EveryBody project

KANSAS CITY, MO

Scroll to learn more about Kansas City’s Arts For EveryBody project

KANSAS CITY, MO

Scroll to learn more about Kansas City’s Arts For EveryBody project

KANSAS CITY, MO

Scroll to learn more about Kansas City’s Arts For EveryBody project

Kansas City

Art as Mentorship, founded by the band Making Movies, will host Celebrate AMERI’KANA a music and arts festival bringing together national, local, and youth performers in a celebration of the diverse origins and colors of American music, and the vibrant Kansas City arts community. This festival will take place on July 27th at The Concourse Park from 1 pm to 8pm and will also feature, Mercado, an international open air market, that will showcase local artists, creators, growers, and small businesses.

The Kansas City project is led by Making Movies, Yonas Media, and Art as Mentorship, a nonprofit using arts education and songwriting as a tool to tackle the youth mental health crisis. Together, they will host “Celebrate AMERI’KANA,” a music and arts festival bringing together national, local and youth performers in a celebration of Black, Indigenous, Immigrant and Latino musicians and the diverse Kansas City arts community. This festival will include a mercado, an international open air market, that will showcase local artists, creators, growers, and small businesses. Celebrate AMERI’KANA seeks to foster health and well-being through creative expression, impacting the fabric of the community for years to come.

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Meet The Team

Enrique Chi

Founder, Executive and Artistic Director, Art as Mentorship, Making Movies
In 2017, Chi launched Art As Mentorship, a nonprofit organization created to expand the band’s community efforts. In 2018 Enrique Chi produced a documentary film titled Music is An Immigrant in partnership with KCPT. The film received an Emmy nomination.
Diego Chi

Director of Virtual Programming, Art as Mentorship, Making Movies
Diego Chi is a singer, composer, and the bassist in the band Making Movies. He serves as the director of virtual programming for the nonprofit started by the group, Art As Mentorship.
Juan-Carlos Chaurand

Artist Ambassador, Art as Mentorship, Making Movies
Juan-Carlos Chaurand is a Kansas City-based percussionist and multi-instrumentalist for the band Making Movies and serves as an Artist Ambassador for nonprofit Art as Mentorship and Celebrate AMERI'KANA Music and Arts Festival 2024.
Duncan Burnett

Artist Ambassador, Art as Mentorship, Making Movies
Duncan Burnett is a Kansas City-based percussionist for the band Making Movies and serves as an Artist Ambassador for nonprofit Art as Mentorship and Celebrate AMERI'KANA Music and Arts Festival 2024.
Brandon Yangmi

Program Manager, Mentor
Brandon Yangmi is a producer, multi-instrumentalist and Programming Director of Art as Mentorship. He was the lead guitarist and composer for the indie band, The Greeting Committee for eight years and now works as a producer and professional recording engineer.
Erika Noguera

Communications Strategist
Erika Noguera is an entrepreneur, community organizer, and artist who advocates to create safe, inclusive spaces through art, connection, and mutual aid. Erika is co-owner of Doña Fina Café with her dad; importing coffee directly from the family farm in Guatemala and roasting it weekly in KC.
Gabby Stanley

Events & Administration Consultant
Gabby was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. Her background includes Music Education and Clarinet Performance training at UMKC Conservatory, management of local political campaigns, and nonprofit work. In 2021 she founded Doyenne Collaborative, an events, marketing, and outreach firm with clients including local nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and political campaigns.
Ashli Owen

DrPH, CDP, Managing Principal Consultant, IvyMind Collaborative
Ashli Owen is a Kansas City-based federal scientific advisor and public health researcher and practitioner, integrative wellness coach, social change agent, DEI champion, disability advocate, and public speaker.
Juliana Chi

Event Coordinator and Community Sponsorship Liaison
Juliana is a Kansas City native born to Panamanian immigrants. She is a community organizer, and the Event Coordinator and Community Partnership Liaison for Celebrate AMERI’KANA. She also works as a multi-store manager for a KC based jewelry company, Nickel & Suede.
McKenzii Webster

Marketing Architect
Creative partner and music advocate are best used to describe McKenzii Webster. She serves as the Marketing Architect for Art as Mentorship. The Memphis, TN, native uses her passion for music and connecting the dots between creativity and strategy to help creatives.
Peter Beatty

Experience Architect
Peter is a community-centric musician, content designer, and marketing strategist who puts people first. He’s a KC native and has been playing concerts around KC and the midwest since 201. In 2020 Peter founded a music and arts cooperative called Deep Space which served its community for two years. He’s also a part-time stained glass artist.
Alejandro

Art Fellow
Alejandro Arias is a young artist in the AM Mentorship program and plays the guitar and double bass. “I enjoy connecting with new people and learning from them to help me create new music! I create music for my own enjoyment and to connect with my listeners on an emotional level. My music is here to connect to my listeners on a level that most people will relate to and feel inside emotionally.”
J Buch

Art Fellow
J Buch is 17 years old and has been playing music since kindergarten. “I create music because I want a place to put my thoughts and emotions in the form I know best and in ways that can hopefully connect with others.”
Josue

Art Fellow
Josue is a musician. “I create music and have fun. There is no past, there is no present, the only time you have is now. So have fun”
Isabella

Art Fellow
Isabella Amhara sings, plays violin, and writes music. “I create music to express myself and to tell stories and perspectives to the world that need to be told. Depending on the songs I write, I want my music to connect with those who have similar experiences as I do or grab the attention of everyone to hear a message that needs awareness.”
Miranda

Art Fellow
Miranda Serda is 17 years old and creates music to connect with others and have fun!! “I want to make people feel comforted and heard.”
Noah

Art Fellow
Noah Miller is from Kansas City, Missouri and plays guitar. “I create music because it’s my favorite form of art and I really enjoy making my own version of it. I want my music to reach people and touch their SOULS.”
Sam

Art Fellow
Izzy

Art Fellow
Izzy Burch is a young singer-songwriter. “I create music to express my emotions and relate with others. I find music as a coping mechanism and would love to show others the beauty of it.”
Alena

Art Fellow
Alena Gaughan is a 17-year-old junior who's creative, adventurous, and has always had a special connection with music. “I've always found it fun and easy to play by ear, I got involved with piano at 5 and picked up on different instruments later on. I hope to express myself through my music, accurately portray myself through my work, and create songs that I feel the world needs more of.”
Akilah

Art Fellow
Akilah Walker is 18 and creates music as a means to release. “I also want to serve as a source of inspiration for others and deliver messages and lessons that I have learned over time. I want my lyrics to be something more complex that causes people to think and really feel the meaning and emotions behind my songs.”
Salem

Art Fellow
Salem (artist name “Possibly Manic”) is 17 years old and a senior at Liberty Academy! “I create music because I want to be able to emotionally connect with people who have similar experiences and stories as myself. I also make music because it honestly just helps me express myself and how I’m feeling about certain situations.”