Karen "Magic Fingaz" Smith

Karen "Magic Fingaz" Smith, Brooklyn Native, Philly Resident, is a Professional Percussionist, Playwright, Poet, Director, Teaching Artist, Curator and now a member of the Philadelphia Musician’s Union  Local 77 !!! Karen is a recipient of several grants including  Leeway Foundation's  Art and Change and Illuminate the Arts Grants .  Ms. Smith is the Founder, Artistic Director and Lead Percussionist of The Karen Smith Experience (formerly called Weez the Peeples) and Sistahs Laying Down Hands Collectives.  Called "Sounds of Freedom" by Philadelphia Inquirer, Ms. Smith has worked with many individual artists, groups, theatrical production companies, studio recordings and in October of 2023 created a week long of artistic events, Breast Cancer Awareness festival featuring Breast Cancer Surgeon, Dr. Monique Gary. As of August 1, 2023, I’m delighted to share that I’ve received a Pew Fellowship from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage!!  "Collaborations are the essence of my creative Journey and I am sure so many to come.  It definitely feels like a highlight sharing OMAZING energies with various communities, organizations and individual artists! Truly One Nation Under a Drumbeat!! Possible is Possible  is my daily mantra!”

Awards

Lee Way Foundation Art and Change Grants

Black Music City Award

Pennsylvania Council of the Arts

The Pew Center for A rts and Heritage Fellowship 2023

Gear

Congas, Djembe, Dun Dun, Steel Tongue Drum, Sound Bowls, Bongos, Tambales, various percussive instruments

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