JoVia Armstrong
Shaping the Future of Sound through Innovation and Education
JoVia Armstrong is a an award-winning percussionist, composer and educator whose work blends rhythm, technology, and experimental composition. This year she was voted as one of the best percussionists in the world by DownBeat Magazine’s 74th Annual Critics Poll. She leads the electroacoustic ensemble Eunoia Society which explores sound as a healing tool and you’ll be hearing music from their first two albums, The Antidote Suite and Inception, which are linked in the show notes for you. In fact, I found out about JoVia when I interviewed Leslie De Shazor a couple of years ago for this podcast, and my episode with her is linked for you along with a few other suggested episodes below.
Today you’ll learn about JoVia’s collaborators and mentors including Nicole Mitchell and Francisco Mora Catlett as well as her development as a musician with the encouragement of her family. JoVia spoke with me about the importance of mentoring youth, self-reflection and self-care. She is currently Assistant Professor of music at the University of Virginia, where she teaches in the Composition and Computer Technology Program while researching the intersection of Black contemplative music, technology and urban space.
Video Podcast Transcript
JoVia Armstrong Website The Antidote Suite Inception Black Earth SWAY
Suggested episodes: Leslie DeShazor, Teagan Faran, Avi Kishna Gerry Bryant, Vahn Black, Lisa Pegher and EmmoLei Sankofa among so many episodes since 2021.
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