RAINE PIYÂKO

Young Ashaninka leader Raine Piyãko has been accompanying his father, world-renowned spiritual and environmental leader Benki Piyãko, in his works since early childhood.

Raine began his pajé (master shaman) apprenticeship a decade ago under his father’s and grandfather’s auspices. His maternal grandfather Aricemi is also one of Benki’s teachers and one of the highest regarded Sheripiari (tobacco shaman) in the Western Amazon.

Raine is a composer of traditional Ashaninka songs and a talented musician. He is the Vice President of the healing and reforestation center, Institute Yorenka Tasorentsi, in the Brazilian Amazon. 

Coming from a lineage of ‘Antaviari’ (direct messenger of God in Ashaninka culture), Raine is steeped in the most profound shamanic traditions of the Amazon.

SONIA MARIE KAZAROVA

Sonia Marie Kazarova is a New Country Artist Singer Songwriter. Sonia is also a Grammy Nominated Opera Singer, Actress & Philanthropist.

She is Colorado native, born in WheatRidge and raised in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains on a small ranch outside Boulder. Sonia’s cross-genre ‘Country Opera’ “DESPERADO DEBUTANTE” celebrates the storytelling that she fell in love with as a kid listening to country on the radio & the sweeping stories she sang in opera. Influenced by the greats of early country music such as The Carter Family, Tom T Hall, Dolly Parton, Waylon, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Bobby Bare, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, George Straight, Clint Black, the trinity of Twitty, Twain, & Tanya Tucker. Sonia has performed worldwide as Tosca, Norma, and Salome to name a few, and is known for groundbreaking genre-bending combining her operatic vocals with polyrhythmic Afro-beats, pop, jazz, taiko drumming, blues, gospel, Regge, spoken word and hip hop.

These collaborations led her to a Grammy nomination. This honor inspired Sonia Marie to follow her dreams, and tell the stories so close to her heart. At last arriving back home where she began in Colorado. This new ‘Country Opera’ genre brings Sonia’s rich theatrical style of storytelling with full orchestration inside country music tradition. The blend of these two art forms is a beautiful alchemy offering sweet country melodies and a great big opera heart. Miss Sonia is bringing Opera back to the Opry!

DEVAN LONG

Devan Chandler Long is known for his ranging scope of work, most recently starring on hit CBS comedy “Ghosts” where he portrays ‘Thorfinn’ a brash, lovable, larger than life Viking.

Long was raised in the small island town of Anacortes, Washington, where he grew up entertaining his peers in the classroom and on the football field. His talents earned him a full ride scholarship to play football at the University of Oregon, where he would go on to garner school records and become known for his humorous interviews and locker room antics. Given his boisterous personality and proclivity for storytelling, it wasn’t long until Long found his truth in acting. He got his first acting job on the series “Shameless” in 2012.

Utilizing his blue-collar work ethic and stubborn determination, Long blazed a career as a multi-faceted character actor, having portrayed an eclectic array of characters from vicious assassins to lovable super-heroes, thus escaping the stereotypical confines adopted by most actors of his physical prowess.

Long lives in Venice, California with his wife, Jesse Golden, who he married in 2020, and her son, now their son, Kaleo Golden. Long’s big brother is Rien Long, who played in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans. Long enjoys cooking, surfing, paddle tennis and prank calling his grandma with character voices (she loves it, it’s their thing).

A recovering perfectionist, lifelong learner, and survivor of life’s trials and tribulations.

Jennifer’s leadership and personal development expertise have been highly sought after by companies around the world. With over 12 years of experience as a consultant helping high-performing individuals at various multinational Fortune 500 companies, her efforts have positively influenced nearly 50,000 leaders across cultures, countries, and industries.

Jennifer’s undergraduate and graduate degrees are focused on behavioral change and as a thought leader, she is frequently requested as a speaker and consultant. She has spoken at conferences and led workshops in over 18 different countries.

Drawing from her background in science and collective expertise, Jennifer helps you develop into the very best version of yourself and learn how to thrive.

Since 1991, Chuck Thies has been headquartered in Washington, D.C. He leads, advises and
supports advocacy, political and PR campaigns, corporate affairs projects, NGO operations,
special events and a variety of other endeavors.

In high-profile, high-pressure roles or behind the scenes in an advisory manner, Chuck brings to
all projects a depth of expertise and poise gained by working across a breadth of subject
matters with skilled and diverse people from around the globe. His professional travels span the
United States, China, France, Israel, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, The Netherlands, Palestine,
Portugal and Sweden.

Chuck is a skilled writer and communicator. He has appeared on television, co-hosted a weekly
radio program on WPFW, written a weekly column for NBC Washington and has been quoted or
published in numerous outlets, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Politico, Los
Angeles Times, CNN, Fox News, San Francisco Chronicle, Des Moines Register, The Atlantic,
Washington Times, Washington Examiner, Detroit News, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Village
Voice, Boston Phoenix, Washington Blade, Washington City Paper, The American Prospect,
Wired, techPresident, Washingtonian, Washington Business Journal, DCist and elsewhere.
Chuck’s experience and expertise in event management is far-reaching, from promoting and
coordinating large-scale rallies on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and in Central Park,
New York City to providing comprehensive meeting and exhibition services for businesses,
NGOs and technical associations around the world. Chuck has also served as a vice-president
for one of the world's premier conference, exhibition and event management firms, The
Congrex Group.