How my journey began

 

(Image: kei, wearing glasses, a black floral patterned shirt and grey blazer; they are looking at the camera and smiling)

 

kei [pronouns they/them] is a Boston-based Queer Black Non-Binary Sound Artist, Music Therapist Pre-licensed Mental Health Counselor, and Community Activator from New Orleans, La.

An award-winning Singer-Songwriter, Multi-Instrumentalist, and Composer, kei’s early musical influences can be traced back to the gospel-shout feels of the Black Church and beyond. In addition to writing and performing for a range of cross-disciplinary projects, kei is a trained Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) and Vocal Psychotherapist working at the intersections of holistic healing, trauma, and abolition. Committed to healing justice and cultural organizing, kei has over a decade of experience working with youth, young adults, and LGBTQIA2S+ QTBIPOC. Settings have included: trauma-informed residential treatment facilities, juvenile justice centers, K-12 schools, behavioral health centers, and more. kei launched S O U L F O L K Sounds out of their desire to activate and have more access to safer and braver spaces for Queer + Trans BIPOC to heal, dream, and conjure ancestral incantations of freedom. Learn more about kei’s music and related work at keislaughter.com.

“The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible.”

-Toni Cade Bambara

(S O U L F O L K Sounds pre-launch video, 2018, subtitles coming soon)

 
 

2018 Pre-Launch Video

Check out the 2018 Pre-Launch video by founder kei slaughter to learn more about the origins of S O U L F O L K Sounds and what inspired this work.

 

What People Are Saying

 

“

kei is one of the most creative, intelligent, and compassionate people I know.”

— ANA-ALICIA LOPEZ of The House of Music Therapy

“

 

Education & Trainings

  • PhD Student, Expressive Therapies, Lesley University, (currently loading)

  • Master of Arts, Counseling for Mental Health & Wellness, NYU, 2021

  • Master of Fine Arts, Music Composition, Vermont College of Fine Arts, 2013

  • Bachelor of Music Therapy, Loyola University-New Orleans, 2009

  • Certifications/Credentials: Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC)
    Trainings & Courses: Vocal Psychotherapy, Trauma-informed Care

  • Other Qualifications: Embodied Black Trans* queer experience, ancestral memory & spiritual technologies, the healing and creative resistance strategies of my predecessors and forefolks.

Let the music BE.

Connect

If you’re interested, curious, or would like more information, schedule a FREE 20-30 minute chat TODAY.