ambassadors

As a muralist based in the Madison area and an emerging artist navigating the early stages of my career, I understand firsthand the challenges of skepticism and occasional judgment. However, at COPA, I’ve found unwavering support. As an ambassador, I am passionate about supporting COPA’s mission to empower artists of all kinds. Whether you’re seeking inspiration from mentors or connecting with fellow creators, COPA fosters a community where every artistic ambition, no matter the scale, is valued. My journey as an artist is deeply enriched by the inclusive and encouraging environment that COPA embodies.

With a wealth of experience spanning over two decades, Gregory “G!NX” Doby Jr. stands as a Certified RIAA Platinum record producer, Graphic Designer, Videographer, and Marketing consultant. In the music realm, Greg’s influence as a platinum producer goes beyond chart-topping beats; he’s a mentor and catalyst for aspiring artists nationwide. Collaborating with major record companies like LaFace, Interscope, Sony, and Universal Music, he’s worked with icons such as DMC (Run DMC), Bizzy Bone (Bone Thugs-N-Harmony), and Lloyd Banks. Notable achievements include RIAA gold and platinum certifications for his work with 50 Cent’s Lloyd Banks, solidifying his impact in the industry. Additionally, Greg is the current host of Lifestyle Radio and the owner of ChristianCafeMusic.com, a new Christian entertainment site and owns Pyramidal Productions, a video production and film company. The company is currently engaged in producing the hip-hop  documentary “Lead Between the Rhymes.”

I developed an appreciation for the visual arts later in life, after retiring from my career as a psychotherapist. As a photographer and metalsmith, I have exhibited my artwork in a variety of local venues including the Overture Center for the Arts. I currently serve on the board of the Madison Art Guild and hold membership in the Wisconsin Visual Artists organization and the Association of Wisconsin Artists. Over recent years, it has been my pleasure to meet and to interact with a diverse group of artists, both young and old, who express creativity through a variety of art mediums. The Madison area is rich with professional, as well as newly minted artists. I believe that all could benefit greatly from the resources and exhibition space planned by COPA.

Hello, my name is Daryna! My introduction to COPA was through their weekly music social with my family. We have been fortunate to hear some breathtaking performances and observe musicians, teachers, and students of various ages and skill levels while exploring different music styles and genres with our son. I’m also a volunteer for the Art Activities tent and am one of the artists exhibiting at the COPA festival. This will be the first time my art will make a public appearance. Still, I have helped facilitate various events and look forward to being alongside the other artists and COPA team to create a spectacular family-friendly day celebrating art.

The value of the arts is profound, yet often challenging to quantify. However, it is commonly accepted that it thrives not in isolation, but as shared experiences that bring people together.  This is a core principle that COPA passionately seeks to instigate and support. In a world craving authenticity and deeper connections, the arts play a crucial role in uniting diverse communities with common goals and visions. You can experience this for yourself by visiting COPA at our next event. The excitement is palpable, and the thrill of connecting through the arts is something that once experienced, is unforgettable. You’ll see firsthand why such a dedicated team and visionary community members are investing so much effort into making this ambitious project a reality. We hope to see you at COPA soon! 

I am Katie Scullin, a singer-songwriter and visual artist based in the Madison area. I support COPA because of its unwavering dedication to community, and the arts. Over the years, COPA has been a strong supporter of my journey as an artist. Their extensive experience in the entertainment industry, attention to detail, and network of knowledgeable personnel have propelled my growth in ways I never imagined. I firmly support COPA’s mission and endorse those committed to creating a safe and healthy space for artists, performers, and creators. 

Bruce Wasserstrom is a MAMA award-winning guitarist who currently plays with several local groups. Bruce has led several Madison, WI bands, including the Cafe CODA House Blues Band, Cold Fusion, the Groove Busters, Mad City Funk, and the Mighty Groove Masheen. He was the featured guitarist on recordings by Tyler Preston, the Tent Show Troubadours, and Joe Andersen. Locally, Bruce has also performed with the Clyde Stubblefield All-Stars, the Funkee JBeez, the Blue Zone, Vehicle-6, and others. 

While there are a few excellent spaces in Madison for some artists and students to work and learn, those existing spaces simply cannot accommodate all the different arts organizations and individual artists in need of workable, affordable space for rehearsing, recording, writing, editing, painting, assembling, and the many other activities integral to artistic creation. The idea behind COPA is to build that needed workspace for performing and visual artists and organizations.  During the development phase of this larger project, the short-term goal is to use COPA’s current, albeit limited, facilities to the greatest extent possible to address at least a small portion of that unmet need while waiting for the new, upgraded facilities to be built.

The most rewarding part of my music career has been the people and community I’ve met and become a part of. This is why I am so excited that COPA is building a creative arts community in Madison with their facility.  This is such a great opportunity for everyone, and especially youth, to get involved in something creative and have the resources available to them to achieve their dreams. I’m grateful to be part of such an amazing and empowering community in Madison!

My involvement with COPA is a product of “right place, right time” …and in a sort of serendipitous way, COPA found me. Whether working with communities on collaborative art installations, or curating unique experiences for people to enjoy on the other side of the world in my second home, Cambodia, storytelling is at the heart of everything I do. It’s where the distillation of my creativity begins and ends, and I think that’s what excites me most about COPA: in that, it’s a remarkable story that endeavors to do something great for all forms of artistic expression. It’s space where everyone is welcome.

Lacouir D. Yancey, aka Bboy Spirit LMT, CPT, CES is a Madison WI native and Co-founder of Black Poets Society, a hip-hop, funk and soul band of Madison WI, 1992 and founder of the Soul Hydraulics (Break dance crew) of Madison WI, 1998 and owner of Ymassage Bodywork & Natural Fitness Wellness Space of Madison WI since 2005. Lacouir is also a musician and bassist, writer and producer of 30+ years. Lacouir’s musical roots and style range from gospel, reggae, soul-funk, and hip hop to NewOrleans jazz, blues, folk and R&B. He is the bassist and supporting vocalist for The Johnny Chimes Natch’l Blues, The Adem Tesfaye Band and The Black Denim project and supporting bassist for singer songwriter and wife Shannel Trudeau-Yancey. Lacouir has studied under various bassist and musicians such as Leotha Stanley, the legendary Richard Davis, Jason Rebke and Scott Pingels. Music influences are Chuck Rainey, Victor Wooten, Fred Hammond, Booties Collins, Marcus Miller, Jermaine Morgan, Earth Wind and Fire, the Roots, Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, the funky Meters, and The Jazz Crusaders.

I grew up at a time in Madison, WI when urban arts, black artistic expression and development, whether it was dance, music or visual arts, was limited to community centers and the streets. Thanks to our mother’s support, we turned our garage floor into a linoleum dance floor, and that was life changing. Now there were opportunities “if invited” to performance spaces like high school or middle school auditoriums and large spaces like the UW Madison campus or the Overture Center (formally the Civic Center) to perform. Needless to say, the smaller spaces became our predominant practice and performing ground and we spent countless hours on that linoleum floor preparing for the chance to one day be on the “big stage”. Many don’t get the opportunities to perform as often as one practice as an artist. While I am grateful for the experiences of “making due with what you have” to express my creative gifts, having the opportunity to develop as an artist in a space like what COPA offers can provide the support that invites artists to grow and develop their skills and creative expression. I am in full support of the mission COPA is undertaking to show love and to give back to communities of artists looking to develop a brighter and sustainable, creative future.

As a young musician growing up in Southern Wisconsin, many artistic opportunities existed for me with which to become involved. Unfortunately, time, distance, and other resources limited my access to those opportunities.  The concept of a Community Performing Arts Center of Madison sounds intriguing!  The potential in centralizing the availability for educational events and material, live artist forums and discussion, rehearsal, classroom and studio space, performance, and display venues (the list goes on) solves that resource access dilemma. What an incredible idea!

Tapping into the performing arts culture in Madison, one that is rich with history and influence, developing local talent, and presenting visiting talent as well in a Community Performing Arts Center contributes to that wonderful educational artistic content already existing in the area.  It’s a great vehicle to provide a diverse cultural arts experience to Madison!

A city’s thriving music ecosystem begins with education. COPA is a landmark and ambitious project that we’re proud to support as it’ll support the development of thousands of young minds and souls in Madison!

In my pursuit of a career in the music business, having strong mentors was paramount to developing the skills necessary to create a successful career. The Madison area is fortunate to have many highly experienced industry professionals who have been willing to share their skills and experiences with me over the years.

These professionals, and the area’s supportive arts community, have been instrumental in my growth, both as a musician and studio engineer. I strongly support the development of the COPA as a special place where students of all ages and backgrounds will have the opportunities to develop their skills as artists and musicians.