Sampling Fundamentals

Christopher Marianetti is a composer, filmmaker, and producer from Albuquerque, New Mexico, whose work uses collaborative art-making and technology to connect people across cultural and societal divides. He co-founded Found Sound Nation, a production company and nonprofit, and currently leads the American Musician Mentorship Program, developed in partnership with the Recording Academy/GRAMMYs®, supporting musician entrepreneurs and music industry professionals around the world. He previously co-founded and served as artistic director of OneBeat, a music diplomacy initiative that brought together over 800 artists from 80+ countries and raised more than $15 million for music-based programming globally. Christopher is a 2025 Creative Capital Award Winner, MacDowell Fellow, and TED Global Featured Artist. His work has been presented at Carnegie Hall, MASS MoCA, WOMEX, and the Lucerne Festival. His short film Wall Piano screened at 25+ festivals and won 10 awards.

Kasiva Mutua is an internationally touring drummer and percussionist based in Nairobi, Kenya. Her exuberant performances reflect a panoply of influences mainly inspired by cultures she has interacted with. One of few African women playing percussion continentally and internationally, Kasiva plays music to celebrate her community’s spirit, tell her people’s stories, and elevate the place of the African woman in music. She is the co-founder of MOTRAMUSIC, an all female percussion collective in Nairobi, Kenya, that teaches young women and girls the art of percussion and drumming. Citing the girl child and gender equality as issues she is passionate about, Kasiva continues to motivate women to diversify their positions in music and inspire the young generation to continue preserving their culture.