Olisa Enrico has worked with The Residency since its inception as a teaching artist. Her skills and passion for teaching are a huge part of how she arrives back to the organization as our Executive Director.

Olisa Enrico is an accomplished artist, educator, and administrator who leverages the power of art to cultivate community and culture. With a profound background in music, theater, and storytelling, Olisa brings the unique ability to connect with young artists and inspire them to reach their full potential. She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance and an MFA in Theatre Pedagogy, with certifications in Ritual Poetic Drama and Acting and Singing with Archetypes. As the Founder and Executive Director of Ase Theatre, Olisa has demonstrated her commitment to engaging the community through cultural practice and performance. Her extensive experience in professional development, curriculum development, and workshops will be invaluable to The Residency's mission. Previously, she held roles with Arts Corps and most recently, led the newly formed Cultural Space Agency.

Upon accepting the new role, Olisa offered this to The Residency community: “what hip hop teaches us is ingenuity and resilience. As a teenager, hip hop - the outlet it provided, the power of spittin’ my truth as a youth, a community where I could belong - saved my life and provided the opportunities needed to grow into the human I am today. It’s an honor to pass that gift on to the next generation through The Residency. Hip hop don’t stop.”

Jace ECAj is a veteran MC and proud community member of Seattle who uses the art of hip hop as his platform to share ideas, concerns, triumphs, and challenges. He is also a teaching artist that has worked in the creative writing community for over twenty years and has helped organize panel discussions that range in topic from the accountability and responsibility of artists, to why fostering culture and honoring legacy are crucial to the continuation of the art. Jace is half of the hip-hop soul duo, Black Stax. Black Stax prides itself as being the voice and soul for the voiceless, visiting schools, libraries, and juveniles to share and listen to stories and talk about elevating and honoring our youth and ancestors. Jace is The Residency’s Director of Community and Artist Development. He is honored to be a part of The Residency team that continues the work guiding and preparing youth for their futures, especially as they relate to the music business and hip hop culture.

LIV (Olivia Thomas) is a multi-disciplinary artist who at her core, values creativity, living freely, and the service of others. She supports The Residency as our Program Manager. Keeping her family and friends at the forefront of all that drives her, she uses her love and obsession with music, visual story telling, mixed with a knack for word play, to bring what she feels are “dope sounds and visuals” to her audience and community. With a passion for education She received her bachelors degree in music performance from Washington State University and an MFA in arts leadership from Seattle U. To LIV it is important to always be a student.

Mimicking the northwest weather, she describes her work as, laidback, sometimes dark, but always soulful. Her work is a reflection on love, what it means to be black and outspoken and as well as what it takes to get out of your own way and be whoever you want.

Brian Cisneros (he/him) is a creative leader and multi-disciplinary artist whose work spans poetry, percussion, songwriting, painting, printmaking, and event design. With a strong foundation in nonprofit development, strategic planning, and arts-based community building, Brian brings both vision and experience to his role of Events Manager at The Residency. He has produced events of all scales—from intimate performances to 7,000-person festivals—and is committed to using the arts as a tool for social change. Brian earned his B.A. from Fairhaven College at Western Washington University, focusing on Community Development through Education and the Arts, and completed a Master’s in Organization Design, Renewal, and Leadership at Antioch University Seattle. His most recent work includes leading the NW Chocolate Festival to international recognition as a premier event in the craft chocolate world. At The Residency, Brian is focused on expanding event and communication strategies to deepen impact and support the next generation of Hip Hop artists.

Luis Lopez is a Mexican-American professional trumpeter who has cut his teeth in the Seattle music scene for the past 10+ years. Luis is part of the modern era of working class musicians who aim to uplift their community through art. This is reflected in his work at The Residency as Operations and Administration Coordinator and through his involvement in the Friends of Waterfront Community Connections Committee. He is excited to continue helping foster the next generation of  hip-hop and community leaders.

Luis currently performs and tours as an improvisational soloist alongside his bands: TMB Brass (New Orleans Second Line), The Cumbieros (Latin Dance), and Soundwave (Sounders FC Band). He is grateful to have shared the stage with international acts such as Celso Piña, Mariachi Flor de Toloache, Son Rompe Pera, Death Cab for Cutie, and local favorites like Terror Cactus, Jimmy James, and Acid Tongue.