Bay United Artists Collective
The Bay United Artists Collective (BUAC) is a dynamic network of multidisciplinary artists collaborating with creativity, intention, and professionalism to meet the demand for exceptional music, dance, art, cultural enrichment, and arts education throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
Valerie Troutt and Tiffany Austin will host a Western Arts Alliance (WAA) showcase dates on September 8, 9 & 10 at the Marriott in Oakland, California in Conference Room 210.
Who We Are
Valerie Troutt
Valerie Troutt is an Oakland-based jazz/soul vocalist, composer, educator, and arts producer. Alongside poet Audacious I AM, Troutt is the Co-Founder and Co-Producer of Because of Black Music I Am, an annual festival celebrating the legacy and cultural impact of Black music. She has also produced and directed multidisciplinary performances and community-centered arts programming throughout the Bay Area. She is the BUAC Founder and Co-Producer of the 2026 BUAC showcase.
BUAC SHOWCASE PERFORMANCES:
WEDS 9/9 2:30pm - 2:50pm
THURS 9/10 7:30pm - 7:50pm
Tiffany Austin
Dr. Tiffany Austin is a Bay Area jazz/soul vocalist, arts curator and Berkeley Law Juris Doctor. She has performed at prestigious venues and festivals both nationally and internationally. Austin is also the Executive Director of Wyldflowr Arts, an Oakland arts venue, where she produces performances, educational programs, and community-centered arts programming, and is a co-producer of the Bay United Artists Collective showcase.
BUAC SHOWCASE PERFORMANCES:
WEDS 9/9 7:00pm - 7:50pm
THURS 9/10 3:00pm - 3:20pm
BUAC SHOWCASE LINEUP
AT THE 2026 WESTERN ARTS ALLIANCE CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE ROOM 210
Performances Daily:
Tues 9/8 - 7pm to 11:30pm
Weds 9/9 - 2pm to 4pm & 7pm to 11:30pm
Thurs 9/10 - 2pm to 4pm & 7pm to 11:30pm
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
7:00PM-7:20PM - Micia Mosely - Social Justice Stand-Up Comedy
Join Micia Mosely, Ph.D.—comedian, educator, and all-around powerhouse—for a night of social justice stand-up that hits different. Known for keeping audiences laughing nationwide, Micia brings her sharp wit from venues like The Laugh Factory and Gotham Comedy Club to the stage, blending her life’s work in educational equity with comedy that cuts to the core. Whether she’s deconstructing systems or asking, "Where My Girls At?", Micia’s show is a unique mix of liberation, laughter, and serious fun. Don’t miss this chance to catch her brand of comedy that's as transformative as it is hilarious.
7:30PM-7:50PM - Robert "Neutron" Sound - Eclectic Singer-Songwriter
Singer-songwriter Robert "Neutron" Sound blends original songs and reimagined covers in an eclectic set shaped by diverse musical influences, thoughtful songwriting, and a distinctive personal style.
8:00PM-8:20PM - Rhonda Benin - Jazz, Blues & Soul Vocalist
San Francisco Bay Area jazz, blues, and soul vocalist Rhonda Benin has earned a reputation for her powerful voice, showmanship, magnetic stage personality, humor, and, of course, her great dancing.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
2:00PM-2:15PM - Destiny Muhammad Trio - Soulful Jazz Harpist and Vocals
The Destiny Muhammad Trio is a Chamber Jazz Trio following in the footsteps of Jazz Harp Legends Alice Coltrane & Dorothy Ashby, The Destiny Muhammad Trio, featuring Destiny on Harp & Vocals, Leon Joyce, Jr. Drums, and Arthur ‘Chico & the FAM’’ Lopez on Bass, a sleek and soulful ensemble designed to showcase Muhammad’s soaring vocals and transporting string work.
2:30PM-2:50PM - Valerie Troutt - Jazz/Soul Vocalist
Experience the soulful vocal artistry of Valerie Troutt, whose music blends the deep roots of Gospel, Jazz, and African American Folk. With a career spanning jazz clubs, festivals, and educational stages, Valerie’s performances are a journey through love, belonging, and the healing power of joy. Don't miss this opportunity to hear her work in settings ranging from intimate duets to powerful large ensembles.
3:15PM-3:30PM - Soul4Kidz - Children's Programming, Music Education
Soul 4Kidz brings favorite children’s songs to life with a soulful twist! Kids and families can sing and dance along to fun, fresh versions of classics like “Baby Shark,” “The Wheels on the Bus,” “Three Little Birds,” and more.
3:40PM-4:00PM - MOTION - Spontaneous Vocal Mastery
MOTION is a collective of masterful vocalists dedicated to healing and connection through improvised sound. Formed at Bobby McFerrin’s invitation, Bryan Dyer, David Worm, and Destani Wolf create spontaneous music through Circlesinging, harmony, and intuitive vocal improvisation, building community weekly at The Freight & Salvage in Berkeley.
7:00PM-7:20PM - Tiffany Austin: Music is the Magic (Duo) - A Jazz, Soul & Roots Journey Through the Power of Music
Award-winning jazz/soul vocalist, educator, and Berkeley Law JD Tiffany Austin guides audiences through the transformative power of song—from soothing the nervous system and chronicling history to building community and imagining new worlds—exploring lullabies, freedom songs, jazz, and beyond. Joined by Niko Vassalo on guitar.
7:30PM - 7:50PM - Alex Taite: Deep River - Spirituals, Music, Theater, Education
A one-man show exploring the journey, history, and impact of the Negro Spiritual through American culture and society.
8:00PM - 8:20PM - Sharon Henderson & Reflection - Versatile R&B, Gospel and Soul
Sharon D. Henderson is a versatile vocalist, song stylist, and songwriter whose expressive sound spans soul, R&B, jazz, blues, and gospel. A longtime Bay Area performer, she has shared stages with Patti LaBelle, Stanley Jordan, and other acclaimed artists.
9:30PM-9:50PM - The Hogan Brothers - Jazz Fusion Sibling Supergroup
The Hogan Brothers - Steve (bass), Colin (keyboards), and Julian (drums) - are a jazz fusion trio based in Oakland, California. Their influences, while rooted in American styles such as Jazz, Funk, R&B, and Pop, are also informed by many international styles such as Timba, Tango, Gamelan, Highlife, Soukous, Afro-pop, North Indian Classical music and much more.
10PM - 10:20PM - Evie Ladin’s MoTor/dance - All- Female Percussive Dance
Evie Ladin’s all-female percussive dance company MoToR/dance explores the complete expression of the sonic body in space: unique interlocking percussive dance arrangements with layered vocal harmonies and large group choreography in a powerful moving choir.
10:30PM - 10:50PM - Sòlás Burke-Lalgee - Soaringly Versatile Vocalist
A Bay Area native and Presidential Scholar of the Arts, Sòlás is a versatile performer and sought-after educator whose credits include the Oakland Symphony and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. Having collaborated with artists like Ledisi, Zendaya, and Goapele, Sòlás brings decades of expertise to the stage. Whether performing or mentoring the next generation of talent at the Oakland School for the Arts, his work is driven by a deep love for the craft of singing. Don’t miss this opportunity to see one of the Bay’s most agile voices in action.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
2:00PM-2:20PM - Lisa B - 60’s Soul-Jazz, Poetry
Lisa B and her band showcase 60s Magic Now!: The Y-verse, blending adventurous arrangements of ’60s classics, original spoken word, soul-jazz, and timely calls to action with acclaimed Bay Area musicians.
2:30PM-2:50PM - Alex Taite: Deep River - Spirituals, Music, Theater, Education
A one-man show exploring the journey, history, and impact of the Negro Spiritual through American culture and society.
3:00PM-3:20PM - Tiffany Austin Quartet: Music is the Magic - A Jazz, Soul & Roots Journey Through the Power of Music
Award-winning jazz/soul vocalist, educator, and Berkeley Law JD Tiffany Austin guides audiences through the transformative power of song—from soothing the nervous system and chronicling history to building community and imagining new worlds—exploring lullabies, freedom songs, jazz, and beyond. . Joined by Adam Shulman (piano), Kevin Goldberg (bass) and Leon Joyce (drums).
3:30PM-3:50PM - Lisa B - 60’s Soul-Jazz, Poetry
Lisa B and her band showcase 60s Magic Now!: The Y-verse, blending adventurous arrangements of ’60s classics, original spoken word, soul-jazz, and timely calls to action with acclaimed Bay Area musicians.
7:00PM-7:20PM - elias wolf - Queer Song Magic for the Revolution
elias wolf is a singer-songwriter, live-looper, musical spellcaster and dynamic vocal director/educator known for cultivating liberatory and re-humanizing spaces where people of all backgrounds are invited into the magic of harmony singing. elias has been at the helm of over 15 different choirs and vocal groups over the past 20+ years, and is also an award-winning vocal arranger; their work has been showcased alongside Kehlani, Ben Harper and Pentatonix. A performer for over 25 years, elias' music blends soaring melodies, lush harmonies and truth-telling lyrics that explore themes of love, healing and transformation.
7:30PM-7:50PM - Valerie Troutt - Jazz/Soul Vocalist
Experience the soulful vocal artistry of Valerie Troutt, whose music blends the deep roots of Gospel, Jazz, and African American Folk. With a career spanning jazz clubs, festivals, and educational stages, Valerie’s performances are a journey through love, belonging, and the healing power of joy. Don't miss this opportunity to hear her work in settings ranging from intimate duets to powerful large ensembles.
8:00PM-8:20PM - Dana Salzman Trio - Original Funk Fusion
8:30PM-8:45PM - The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol - Jazz, Blues, Black Music
Dana Salzman and her trio showcase original music blending soul, funk, jazz, R&B, Afrobeats, hip-hop, and reggae, featuring Salzman on keyboards and vocals alongside bass and drums.
Miss Faye Carol and her trio bring a dynamic, deeply rooted approach to Black music, moving seamlessly through jazz, blues, gospel, funk, and swinging standards with powerful vocals, improvisation, and an unmistakable connection with audiences.