A multifaceted artist, educator, audio engineer and community advocate hailing from Chicago. As the founder of The Beat Bank, he has dedicated his career to empowering young artists through innovative education in electronic music production, sound design, and multimedia arts. With a deep passion for fostering creative expression, Brother El has built platforms that provide hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world experience, particularly for under resourced communities. His work bridges the gap between opportunity and success, nurturing the next generation of artists and making a lasting impact on the cultural landscape.

FRAN ALLEN-LEAKE – is EARS’ (Engineering and Recording Society) Co-Vice President, sits on the Steering Committee (Board of Directors), and along with late-husband Danny Leake, wrote/co-edited the EARdrum, the organization’s quarterly publication. Today, she continues her EARDrum duties, along with
new co-editor Lynn Orman. Professionally, Fran is a Music Producer, Public Relations Specialist, Production Manager, & Tour Director who initially began honing her craft as a top-rated entertainment public relations specialist handling local and Broadway Touring musicals.She is now the principal owner of LJET PRODUCTIONS – specializing in live and recorded Music Production and Concerts as well as Tour Direction,Public Relations & Special Events.

Reid Hyams - Founder, Owner, President of Chicago trax recording with over 100 industry accolades
including Gold/Platinum Records & Grammy Awards. Published author UofC Press with co-author William
Russo & co-producer with William Russo [Recorded examples]. Former faculty Columbia college “Music
Department, Art Entertainments Music Management & Audio Art and Acoustics”. Founding member of
EARS, Past co-chair, VP, Co-president and current co-vice president & member of board of directors/SC.
Former VP and Governor and current member of the Recording Academy Chicago chapter.

Discogs Discography

​Miranda Sprague aka "Mira" Raven is a multi-dimensional Chicago-based artist drawing from the likes of Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and Sade. Raven is a completely self-produced solo artist and enjoys creating entire productions almost entirely on her own. A believer in self-reliance, Mira Raven strives to constantly evolve and grow as an artist. Growing up in mid-coast Maine, Mira was often inspired by the lush forests and cool ocean breezes of her hometown. In Maine, Raven was highly involved in the performing arts from a young age. Moving to Chicago in 2011 she Raven started studying jazz and became enamored with the genre and began to carve out her place in the community. Shortly after graduating, Raven was awarded with the competitive Luminarts Jazz Fellowship and started the Coffee Jazz Collective which has featured Chicago's best jazz musicians including Justin Dillard, Robert Irving III, Josh Ramos, Sharrel Cassity and more. While still involved in growing the collective, Raven began to develop a solo career and produce her own music in 2020. Her mission as an artist is to bring divine messages to the world through music.

Oliver Fade is a DJ, music producer, engineer, Music Royalty Specialist and Grammy voting member. He was born in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico and raised on the South Side of Chicago. Surrounded by the cultural influences of the city and directly impacted by its violence, Fade found a sanctuary in music where he was able to embrace Hip Hop and Chicago’s very own House music.
 

Fade has participated as a speaker on multiple music panels in schools, community centers and even the Chicago Cultural Center. As a panelist, Fade advises youth and industry professionals about the music business, highlighting the importance of collecting digital music royalties, and speaking on his experience as both a DJ and producer. He has also taught DJing and audio engineering tips and tricks during studio sessions, and works with interns to help them navigate the ins and outs of the music industry with the understanding that information should be easy, and accessible.