Unheard is a music series that explores listening, curiosity, and spontaneity through collaborative improvisation. Two artists-in-residence lead three in-the-round performances throughout the year featuring rotating groups of multi-instrumentalists. From silence to the unexpected, each performance explores the moments when freedom takes form and sound takes shape.

This year’s artists-in-residence are Domenica and Emilio Modeste.

Previous artists-in-residence include Ami Dang, William Alexander, Kalia Vandever, Photay, and Spencer Zahn.

Domenica is an irrepressibly funky flutist, recording artist, and educator oscillating gracefully between art music and pop. She has worked with some of today’s leading players in jazz and popular music including Marc Ribot, Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, and members of Snarky Puppy, and has won a Latin Grammy for her performance in Mariachi Flor de Toloache’s 2018 album, “Las Caras Lindas.” An electrifying performer, Domenica Fossati is the front-woman of the neo-afrobeat group, Underground System, one of our favorite ensembles that featured in our second-ever Take Two!

Emilio Modeste is a saxophonist and composer from New York City. Best known for his tenure with the late great Wallace Roney, he now leads INSTANT ALTER and tours with Stanley Clarke, Kassa Overall, and Julius Rodriguez. Equally adept on tenor and soprano, Modeste’s singular tone and storytelling creates a gravitational field that pulls in even the most reluctant of listeners. This can be heard on INSTANT ALTER’s eponymous debut album, Dezron Douglas’ Atalaya, and additionally on Stanley Clarke’s upcoming album, Last Train To Sanity. A student of the legendary drummer and producer Lenny White, Modeste fearlessly explores endless musical styles in his artistry.