Our Team

The Rhythmic Roots Revolution core team comes from diverse backgrounds and experience that share a common passion for using art and education as tools for positive social change, particularly in the realm of youth development. Their collective expertise spans academia, music therapy, dance, drumming, visual arts, and music production. Their work encompasses teaching, performing, mentoring, and advocacy, all with a focus on empowering marginalized communities and addressing issues such as juvenile justice, cultural preservation, and community engagement.

Through their respective artistic mediums and educational initiatives, they strive to create spaces for self-expression, healing, and growth, emphasizing the transformative potential of the arts in shaping individual lives and communities.

Brian Bilsky

Founder, ED, Mentor

After his own personal journey through the criminal justice system, Brian found his passion mixing academia and music with therapeutic delivery to incarcerated youth while studying political science at the University of Hawaii with focus on the juvenile justice system. He witnessed first hand the gaps in students' critical thinking skills while teaching and assisting numerous entry level college courses. He helped design and deliver lab activities for a new course, SOCS 150 Street Science: Evaluating and Applying Evidence in Daily Life. The four curriculum modules were Logic, Scientific Research Methods, The Economy, and Law.

He founded ʻŌpio Haku Moʻolelo and delivered writing workshops and DRUMBEAT curricula in numerous secure state facilities in both HI and NJ; mentored probate youth through Surfrider Spirit Sessions; and partnered with other non-profits including Hawaii Friends of Restorative Justice, Honolulu Printmakers and Hawaii Women in Film. Brian is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and recording engineer; led multiple bands and frequently fills in on guitar, bass, and djembe. Brian lives in NJ with his wife where they assist with family elder care, foster cats and kittens, and enjoy surfing, snowboarding and motocross

Yahaya Kamate

Cofounder, Rhythmic Mentor

Yahaya Kamate grew up drumming and dancing in The Ivory Coast, then started formal training at the National Ballet of Côte d’Ivoire in high school. He toured Guinea, Mali, Burkina-Faso, Ghana and Liberia - performing with Fotemoban Dance Company, Djensia Group, Camodgen of N’guatta Dolikro Dance Company of Cote d’Ivoire, and Affoubenou Sakassou Dance Company of Senegal - while studying and teaching dance and drumming.

At 25, Yahaya toured internationally in France, Greece, and Holland, before settling in the United States in 1994 where he's worked as lead dancer and choreographer for several companies, including Kulu Mele Dance Company and The Seventh Principle. Yahaya has taught dance with organizations such as Djoniba Dance & Drum Center, Mark Morris Dance Group, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Harlem School of the Arts, Center for Modern Dance Education, and City Lore.

Evelyn Dacosta

Cofounder, Director, Mentor

Evelyn Da Costa - known artistically as "E La She" is a Brazilian-American percussionist, drummer, singer, songwriter, visual artist and educator from Newark, New Jersey. Combining her background in education and sociology with her passion for the arts, Evelyn strives to help people, particularly youth, establish their voice in this world and open up their possibilities. She believes in the healing properties of music and art, and approaches her artistry from a spiritual and therapeutic point of view with the idea that everyone can create, participate in and benefit from the arts.

Jarred Barnes

Rhythmic Mentor

Jarred Barnes - known artistically as "Arktkt" is a Berklee College of Music Alumn Music Producer, Songwriter, Composer, Multi Instrumentalist and DJ. He has been professionally involved in the music industry since 2012, working with producers and artists such as Bridget Kelly, Fetty Wap, Timbaland, !llmind and many more.

Raised in a musical family, Jarred understands the importance of the arts as a way to connect with one's roots and community, overcome barriers and how to apply musical teachings such as practice and repetition to daily life.

Iasha King

Director

Iasha is a dynamic operator with experience in executive leadership and consulting. Areas of expertise include startups, fundraising, pitch deck creation, strategy and innovation, PR and operations.

Iasha currently works as an Innovation Analyst at VentureFuel helping corporations fuel their innovation and become commercial ready faster. She also works as a Startup Mentor, helping founders around the world launch or grow their startup in different industries.

Iasha has a unique experience of working with non-profit and for-profit companies, as well as experience living abroad for several years. With a background in human rights, she is able to bring together both hard and soft skills to help solve some of the most challenging problems that startups face while bringing new and diverse perspectives.