A native Californian, Joel Christopher Payne’s story starts with a life changing moment at the age four that would change the course of his life forever. Joel tells us, “My earliest memory that inspired my career came when I was riding on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and I looked up to my mom and said, Look Mom! Look how real the robots are!! At which point my mother without hesitation replied , – son, those are the waiters at the Blue Bayou… You’d think I was destroyed… but it was in that moment that I realized just how amazing Walt Disney really was. I couldn’t tell difference between the fantasy and the real thing and I knew that I wanted to learn how to harness this kind of unique magic!”  

Disneyland and Disney feature animation would ignited a lifelong passion in Joel that would lead him to inspire others through his own style of breakthrough art.
While Payne didn’t have any formal artistic training, at age 20, he would embark on a 22 year career that would be forge through the fires of on-the-job experience. “When I started doing digital art, computers could only handle 16 colors!” His passion would bring him to design elaborate worlds for 3D TV shows, Triple “A” video games, and multiple virtual reality rides. Industry training required perseverance in acquiring the skills and discipline that would prove to serve him well in future endeavors on his path to artistic
freedom.

In 1993, Joel’s big break would come from a company called ‘New World Computing’ a game company known for the popular “Might and Magic” Series.

His talents were manifested in the service of building the worlds for six videos games over the next several years. His very first game project “Heroes of Might and Magic” became critically acclaimed and is currently on it’s 7th sequel.

In 1995 Joel would become one of the youngest video game directors pioneering techniques is Digital Set creation three years before Robert Stromberg would coin the phrase “Digital Backlot.”

In 1996, Joel finally got his chance to work with Disney on “Disney’s Virtual Jungle Cruise” ride still in operation in Florida’s Disneyquest.

Responsible for creating the rides river rafting track and 3D backgrounds, Payne learned from Disney Imagineers about the power of storytelling, color and lighting techniques that he still uses in his paintings today.

From 1996 to present day, Joel would go on to build 3D worlds for Steven Spielberg’s “Sky Pirates”, Art Directing Disney’s Atlantis the video game, Mortal Kombat:Shaolin Monks, Max Steel and Star Ship Troopers:Roughnecks, Silent Hill:Homecoming and Baldur’s Gate:Dark Alliance. He would also score film music for world renown Stan Winston.
In 2008 Joel would head up Universal Studios very first virtual version of their world famous Backlot facades creating digital doubles of the famous “Back to the future courtyard” and in 2009 Joel’s company Digital Backlot would design 75 original 3D characters for the project Growums.

Featured on the show “The View” Joel not only animated the growums characters, but like Walt, voiced several of the lead characters to the tune of more than 100 cartoons.

In 2011 Payne began in earnest his dreams of pursuing a fine art career. With inspiration and influence from his Disney and entertainment pedigree. Joel Payne has a new found energy and dedication for his inventive new form of mixed media artwork dubbed “Believable Fantasy” a hybrid of 3D modeling and traditional oil painting techniques. His original painting technique creates a level of depth, color, lighting and detail that has collectors asking how it was achieved.

Taking cues from artists like Norman Rockwell and Thomas Kinkade, Joel blurs the line between the real and fantastic.

When asked about his latest works Joel said, ‘Every painting that I do, I want to have the word “WOW” be the thing the viewer expresses most because this is what I felt about Disneyland as a little boy. I want folks to walk by my artwork and fall into it, live in it and escape for a while. I think this is why I began creating this type of magic in the first place, to make the illusion as believable.

Following the murder of his son in 1995, Azim Khamisa founded the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF.org), which started a subsequent forgiveness movement that has reached millions.

He has received over 80 local, national and international awards amongst which are: In 1997 he received the National Crime Victims Special Community Service Award presented by President Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno, In 2002, he received Search for Common Ground’s pres­tigious award alongside Desmond Tutu and Ted Koppel In 2004, he participated in the Synthesis Dialogues with His Holiness the Dalai Lama which was hosted by Pope John Paul at his summer palace in Castelgandolfo, Italy and in 2006 he was given the “Spirit of Crazy Horse Award” from the Reclaiming Youth Network alongside Mohammad Ali. In addition, Azim has been the recipient of the California Peace Prize in 2003 and the Pepsi Freedom Heroes Award in 2006. He has received several other Peacemaker of the Year awards.

Azim has served as TKF’s founder and leader for over 27 years. He is an emissary of peace and an international inspirational speaker with over 700 keynotes, including one to 300,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial at the Stand for Children Rally organized by the Children’s Defense Fund, as well as a speech to the United Nations General Assembly at the High level forum on the culture of peace.

Azim serves on the Board in the capacity of Vice Chair for the Institute of Noetic Science (www.noetic.org). IONS was founded 49 years ago by Edgar Mitchell who was the 6th man to walk on the moon and is a leading global institution on researching consciousness.

With a strong passion to share his message with the youth and to inspire nonviolent leaders become proactive as peacebuilders, Azim, in addition, has given over 1,000 presentations to over a million students worldwide. He is a published author of five books: Award-winning Murder to Forgiveness (being made into a feature film) ; From Forgiveness to Fulfillment, From Fulfillment to Peace and The Secrets of the Bulletproof Spirit: How to bounce back from life’s hardest hits co-authored with Jillian Quinn and published by Random House. His 5th book “Leadership for the greater good – A guide for truth to power champions” recently released in May 2020. He has been featured countless times in local, national and international media. In November 2018, Azim spoke for the TEDWomen conference that has been viewed by over 1 million viewers: go.TED.com/azimandples.

Azim was born in Kenya of Eastern roots and educated in England in mathematics and finance and has over 45 plus years’ experience in international finance. Azim lives in La Jolla, California and is the proud father of daughter Tasreen and grandfather of Shahin, Khalil and Miya.

From technology to artistry to production to show design to wellness, there are few people who understand the complete spectrum of the music industry. Laura Escudé is one of these rare individuals. She’s the creator of The TransmuteTM Accelerator under the umbrella of The TransmuteTM Academy, Founder of Electronic Creatives and an Ableton Certified Trainer since 2008. To sum up, Laura Escudé is a Future Classical artist blending music, tech, and consciousness. Synthesizing her skills as a classically trained violinist and technical prowess as an avant-garde electronic producer, Escudé infuses neo-classical & sleek futuristic style with raw emotion elicited with her musical machines.

Based in Los Angeles, Escudé is an artist, innovator, entrepreneur and live show designer with a deep understanding of complex technology, a profound passion for music and art and a unique talent for fusing the two. Career highlights include performing in the GRAMMY Premiere band, programming and designing shows for Kanye West from 2009-2017, opening for Miguel on his 2015 Wildheart tour and building a thriving international business populated by top-tier professionals.

But while Escudé’s life and work are dynamic, her ultimate goal is simply to inspire.

As an artist, Escudé executes this mission through music. She’s released myriad albums, singles and EPs under the name ALLUXE, synthesizing her skills as a classically trained violinist and her prowess as an avant-garde electronic producer. Now making music under her own name, Escudé released the Transmute EP, her most intimate work to date, capturing the sound and feel of a woman who’s examined the darkest parts of herself and come out the other end transformed. Escudé’s live performances are known for their sleek futuristic style and the raw emotion she elicits from her musical machines. She’s done official remixes for artists, including M83 and Poliça, with her violin playing featured on albums by Big Grams, Kanye West, Jay Z and many more.

Technology is a second language for Escudé, who became the world’s first Ableton Certified Trainer in 2008. In 2012, she founded Electronic Creatives, using her skills to hire and train programmers and playback engineers for artists including Logic, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, Big Sean, Charli XCX, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Electronic Creatives has hosted several playback engineering training programs over the years, with the latest being MASTERTRACK Worldwide.

These creative applications of technology have made Escudé one of the world’s most in-demand live show designers. She’s brought massive productions to life for artists including Kanye West, Jay Z, Bon Iver, Missy Elliot, Herbie Hancock and television megabrand American Idol. Escudé toured extensively with these shows, collaborating with artists to create fresh, thrilling experiences for audiences worldwide.

It was while on tour that Escudé learned the challenges of staying healthy on the road. In 2016, tour burnout landed her in the hospital. She was exhausted, stressed, and not sure how to get better. It was a low point that forced Escudé to take a break from work and focus on her health. This physical, mental, emotional and spiritual process involved letting go of unproductive habits and thought patterns, facing her fears and giving up aspects of her life that didn’t serve her. Escudé was soon not just better, but for the first time in her life truly thriving.

The experience inspired Escudé to help others, particularly live performers, optimize their own health and well-being. In 2017, she launched The TransmuteTM Retreat, a week-long workshop incorporating yoga, meditation, nature, live performance workshops and community performances. In 2019, she launched The TransmuteTM Accelerator online course to help artists accelerate their live performances using technology, and in 2021 launched The TransmuteTM Academy, a community dedicated to Ableton Live + Music Tech Courses & Events to help artists continue their growth in music and business, in addition to The TransmuteTM Academy Masterclasses with special guest presenters 2x month. The TransmuteTM Accelerator is a year-long program, with launch events featuring top industry experts, such as Suzanne Ciani, The Album Leaf and Sudan Archives.

Escudé released a new EP titled “ENOUGHNESS” in May 2021. ENOUGHNESS was born out of her deep journey of quiet reflection and recovery during the past year, an exploration of self love, and emerging the other side with a deeper enjoyment of life. For Escudé, music is the most inclusive space. It is her intention for this EP to be a journey and space to cultivate knowing, healing and for transformation.

With all Escudé has achieved in the realms of music and technology, it’s clear why she’s been called “the best in the world at this job.” Escudé continues to propel forward this three-tiered platform of Future Classical music artistry, tech and consciousness and it just keeps getting better.

Alyosha Barreiro is a dynamic electronic music artist, sound explorer, and speaker who blends the ancient with the modern. With a background from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Alyosha has captivated audiences across Mexico and internationally with his innovative approach to electronic music, combining live instruments with cutting-edge sound design.

Upon returning to Mexico, Alyosha embarked on a solo project that merges electronic music with traditional instruments, creating a unique auditory experience. His work has earned him a reputation for delivering powerful performances at some of the most iconic venues and festivals.

Alyosha’s notable achievements include:

Glastonbury Festival, England, 2023
Vive Latino, Foro Sol, CDMX, 2019, 2023
Zen Experience Tulum, Tulum, Mexico, 2023
Teatro Juárez, Guanajuato, 2019
Museo de la Música de Viena, Puebla, 2019
Puebla Sensorial, Zócalo Puebla, 2019
Cumbre Tajín, Veracruz, 2019
Hollyfest, Charlotte, USA, 2019
Fiesta Mexicana, Milwaukee, 2018
SXSW, Austin, TX, 2018
Auditorio Nacional, Mexico City, 2018
Weltmuseum Wien Reopening, Heldenplatz, Vienna, Austria, 2017
ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event), Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2017
September 15th Celebration, Veterans Park, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 2016
Rotofest, Cuenca, Ecuador, 2016
FILAH, Anthropology Museum, Mexico City, 2015
Posh Festival, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, 2015
Vth Sun Inaugural Festival, Texcoco, State of Mexico, 2014
XXII Ambaró Festival, Atlacomulco, State of Mexico, 2014
XX Festival Luminaria, Atizapán De Zaragoza, State of Mexico, 2013
XXXI Arts and Culture Festival, Toluca, State of Mexico, 2012
The Bicentennial Independence Celebration, Mexico City, 2011
Central Stage at the Angel de la Independencia, Mexico City, 2010
The Day of the Dead Celebration, Zócalo, Mexico City, 2010
Interactive Economics Museum (MIDE), Mexico City, 2010

Throughout his career, Alyosha has been commissioned to create music for significant events such as the inauguration of the Estela de Luz and has performed in front of over 100,000 spectators at the Bicentennial Celebration. His performances span across Mexico, the USA, Latin America, and Europe, reflecting his global appeal and the universal resonance of his music.

Cristian E Bettler is a Mexican-American entrepreneur and film producer renowned for his critically acclaimed works, including “The End of Poverty?,” “Pirate for the Sea”, “The Big Fix,” “Down to Earth,” “Hecho en México,” and “Water Wars.”

With a history of co-founding successful companies in media, digital distribution, and technology, Bettler’s work has always revolved around the nexus of Technology, Entertainment, and Education.

With a track record as a producer and distributor of over 300 independent films and documentaries, Bettler is renowned for seamlessly merging technology, education, and the arts.

He is also the co-founder in numerous media, digital distribution, and technology companies, including Conscious Media, Good Vibe Media, and Cinema Libre Studio.

Beyond the silver screen, Bettler is known for his skill in creating immersive environments that seamlessly blend technology, education, and the arts, serving as a catalyst for human progress through shared narratives. Bettler

has gained recognition for his expertise in designing immersive multimedia experiences and content strategies for prominent brands such as Puma, Hurley, Billabong, and Air France.

In recent times, he co-founded Oomph Technologies, a visionary venture studio dedicated to harnessing the potential of cutting-edge technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Extended Realities (XR), and Web 3.0 (W3). Oomph Technologies focuses on incubating and accelerating innovative technology solutions and uplifting stories that contribute to the betterment of humanity.