Influenced by folk, jazz, blues, and Americana genres, Rise (they/them) connects art and activism in performances and songs concerned with social justice, joy, and community. From traditional performance venues to community gatherings and demonstrations, Rise performs as a soloist, with musical collaborators, and as part of experimental theater and cabaret projects. A self-described “songcatcher,” they approach performance as a form of facilitation, “encouraging audiences to re-embody their own musical capacities.” Their first solo album, Brighter Days, was released in four installments over 2018 and 2019. They were included in WXPN’s Center-supported Black Opry Residency and have performed and collaborated with Pew Fellow Emily Bate, jazz pianist Aaron Parks, the Bearded Ladies Cabaret, the Philadelphia Pride Parade, Mural Arts, and many other Philadelphia artists and organizations. Rise earned a BFA in jazz voice performance from Temple University.
