04/17/2026
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS FOR OUR SPRING 2026 BEATS, RHYTHMS, AND RHYME / MUSIC PRODUCTION PROGRAM / MAY 30 & 31, 2026
APPLY: https://www.friendsforadog.org/ffad-events/beats-rhythms-and-rhyme-spring-26-music-progam
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 1ST
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KANGANADE, born and raised in Burlington, has been refining his skills on the turntables for over a quarter century. From his bedroom to college parties, from the main stage of Higher Ground and Frendly Gathering Festival to underground art shows, KANGA’s Dj reach not only encompasses different venues and crowds but also the musical selections that vibe with those scenes.
Classically trained in percussion, it was actually the sound of a record moving back and forth that enthralled him more than any drum. He dedicated himself to learning every nuance of record movement, every precise fader flick, in order to express himself through scratching. Always looking for new music to inspire his creativity, KANGA would jump between all different genres to scratch his musical itch.
KANGANADE has opened for electronic music artists such as Kevin Knapp at the venerable Sunday Night Mass, drum and bass legend LTJ Bukem and played locally with collectives like No Fun Intended and Full Melt Productions. For over a year, he ran a Drum & Bass night that helped spark the next generation into the genre and for over a decade KANGA has cohosted the local/regional Hip Hop showcase “Third Thursday”. Kanganade has opened for hip hop legends like Cut Chemist and Chali 2na of Jurassic 5, Onyx, Slick Rick, Inspectah Deck & Cappadonna of Wu Tang, The Pharcyde, and Big Boi of OutKast. As a scratch artist, he has collaborated with local bands such as The High Breaks, Burning Monk, 3rd Chamber Sessions, Belizbaha, The Discussions and Drigstore Cowgirl. KANGA’s scratches can be heard on hip hop albums from local emcees like Boxguts, Vast Verbal, Boomslang, Mavstar and Learic.
As Kanganade enters his 25th year behind the decks, he hopes to continue exploring musical genres while providing an opportunity for other artists to express their artistic creativity!
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Zach “SkySplitter” Crawford is a multidisciplinary artist, focused on music production, recording studio work, and creative expression. He produces, engineers, and records music with an emphasis on atmosphere, impact, and originality, while also creating his own compositions as a musician and beat maker—blending rhythm, texture, and melody into a distinctive sound. You can find his work on all platforms under the moniker “SkySplitterInk”.
Originally from Chester, Vermont, Zach fell in love with punk rock in the late 1990s and began playing guitar and drums in bands with friends, quickly becoming part of a larger New England scene and playing many shows throughout the region. By the end of high school, his passion shifted to include the technical and creative side of music, becoming deeply obsessed with producing and recording.
He went on to study music theory at Castleton State College and spent some time in touring bands before eventually moving to Nashville, Tennessee, where he further developed his skills in audio engineering and music production at The SAE Institute. After completing his studies, Zach founded The SkyLab in Burlington, Vermont, building it into a respected recording studio known for its creative environment and high-quality work.
Alongside his studio work, Zach is dedicated to music instruction, teaching students of all levels in areas such as beat making, production, guitar, drums, and foundational musicianship. His approach is hands-on and practical, helping students build technical skills, confidence, and their own creative voice while navigating modern music production tools and workflows.
