Location: Center of Southwest Studies Main Gallery
Free and Open to the Public
The Center of Southwest Studies is excited to host an immersive workshop exploring connections between sound, music, and the land with Diné musician Kino Benally (@djbeeso). Participants will learn how Kino creates music using software like Ableton, then step outside to discover sounds in the environment—anything from rustling leaves to striking stones. Each participant will contribute a unique sound, which Kino will record and mix into a collaborative song created during the workshop.
Attendees are encouraged to bring an instrument or any objects that create sound!
About the Artist
Kino Benally is a Diné musician, producer, sound engineer, and artist from Shiprock, New Mexico. His work prioritizes collaboration with Indigenous peoples and strengthening contemporary Indigenous voices. Kino’s music has been featured on KEXP’s Song of the Day and on CBC Radio in Canada.
Kino frequently teaches workshops on sound and creativity to Indigenous youth, with past collaborations that include the Native American Community Academy; Dził Ditł’ooí School of Empowerment, Action, and Perseverance; Paper Rocket Productions; Survival of the First Voices; and many others. He has also worked as a composer and performer with Dancing Earth (a First Nations dance company) and contributed to PBS mini-series, including Class of ’27, Moroni for President, Mr. Navajo, and America Reframed. Through these projects, Kino continues to challenge his artistry and teaching methods while engaging in workshops and community organizing.
Check out Kino’s SoundCloud to listen to his most recent work.