Team HearRVA
HearRVA began as a small seed and has sprouted into a tribe. We are running on passion power and help build each other up one project at a time. This platform really could not function without the team and we thank everyone tremendously for all their time and and special sets of skills.
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We are hungry, growing, and welcome all the positive vibes and help. Get to know us a little and let's get connected!
Founder & CEO
Elijah Hedrick
Yo. I love Richmond music and I make my own under the name, Eliturite, pronounced like 'illiterate' but it's spelled wrong. But honestly, the fact that I can see the difference immediately undermines the truth in my rap moniker.
I've lived in Richmond since 2009 and have been VCU's mascot "Rodney the Ram", worked in radio and TV before focusing on bringing more eyes and ears to the world-class local talent that we have in our city.
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I have a degree in Broadcast Journalism that I've used in various jobs, but I always wanted to be a part of or create something that allowed me to meld all my interests and skills.
Personally, the style of music I am drawn to is funky, groovy, great lyrics, crispy hi-hats and casual melodies. I'm often at a local show to film the performance or just there to enjoy myself... mostly a bit of both. I like short-ish walks on the beach and I'm a Taurus (which means nothing to me).
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You can catch me listening to the Southside City Slide Playlist.
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Founder & President
Rian L. Moses-Hedrick
What's Up?! Richmond, Virginia has been my home since 2006 and I'm still discovering new things. I'm a visual artist at heart and graduated from VCU in 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Art (major in video & animation/ minor in painting & printmaking). It feels great to use these skills on all the visuals you see coming out of HearRVA.
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I enjoy sipping tea, changing up cooking recipes, letting my garden grow wild, getting lost around the globe, changing my identity with costumes, couch cuddles with the family, and people watching. I dislike closed minds and negativity; you are sucking up my soul, scram.
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Richmond, VA is no longer the capital of the south and has been embracing all of its creativity. The music that comes out of RVA is full of passion and fills my spirit. I can't help but to share the love! This city really has it all if you are out exploring it.
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Newlin Music Prize Board Member
WRIR 97.3 Board Member
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You can catch me listening to the Creative Campus Playlist.
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Email: RianM.HearRVA@gmail.com
Website: https://www.seaplusart.com/
Founder & Gofer
Jai Hedrick
I'm a kid who likes drawing, playing with Lego, and reading comic books/manga. My favorite color is red and I love eating pancakes and waffles. Sometimes I bang on the drums or play the clarinet while my dad raps.
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Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia but have already visited 18 countries.
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My favorite musicians right now are: Imagine Dragons, JVKE, Eliturite, Silk Sonic, and Bobby Caldwell.
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You can catch me listening to the Slip In Shockoe Playlist.
Content Blogger/Writer/ 2022-Pres.
Angelea Hengle
Hey y'all! I'm Angelea and am super excited to be a part of this great team! I'm a recent graduate from DePaul University in Chicago, IL, and am so happy to call Richmond home again. I received my Bachelor of Science in General Management with also a double minor in Psychology and Music Business. In college, I was President of DePaul Dance Company and Co-Event Coordinator for DePaul Music Business Organization. Creativity and artistry have always been a part of who I am and I am so grateful to be in this amazing community.
I believe Richmond is a continuously growing hub of creativity and passionate people. The art and music that is coming out of Richmond is so special and I'm thankful I get to experience it.
You can catch me listening to the Virginia Is For Music Playlist.
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Graphic Artist/ Booker/ 2022-Pres.
Natalie Gorby
My name is Natalie/Nat/Natty and I am ecstatic to be a part of the incredible Hear RVA team!
I am graduating with a Bachelor's in Business Management and Marketing, and I hope to use the knowledge and skills I've gained to support and help others. I also have experience with music festivals, music promotion, booking events, designing posters, and much more.
I make illustrations and work on other artworks in my free time. Some other things I like to do are reading books and "attempting" to practice saxophone. I am ambitious and enjoy coming up with new creative pursuits often.
I was introduced to local music when I was in my early 20s when my friends brought me to shows and shared the local music they were into with me. I remember thinking to myself "wow I didn't know things like this happened here". A year or two later I began going to see my friend perform in their bands and getting involved in the local house show scenes. Eventually, I was a committee member for MacRock (a DIY music festival) where I helped make graphics and worked with musicians.
Music is one of my favorite joys in life. I believe many great musicians we love now were once local artists. I also believe it is very important to foster and support the local talent in our community. I am so grateful to be a part of a team that shares the same passion!
You can catch me listening to the Creative Campus Playlist.
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Graphic Designer/Event Coordinator/ 2022-Pres.
Tyler Blankinship
What's up everybody! I work primarily as a freelance graphic designer focused on music work (album covers, concert flyers, merch, etc.). I've also got experience in concert planning, radio hosting, music management, and a wide array of miscellaneous music work that I've been able to get my hands on.
As far as music taste goes I love a bit of everything, especially local acts like Fly Anakin, Lucy Dacus, McKinley Dixon, and Benét. Some of my favorite outside acts that I've gotten to see perform in Richmond are Smino, Mac Miller, Robert Glasper, & Courtney Barnett.
Supporting independent musicians, especially Virginians, is one of the most important things to me so joining HearRVA felt incredibly natural when I started living in Richmond full time this year.
You can catch me listening to the Slip In Shockoe Playlist.
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Email: tblankinship13@gmail.com
Website: https://tblankin.myportfolio.com/
Graphic Artist / 2022-Pres.
Gavin Harrison
Oh hey, name's Gavin and music is my life. I personally create digital graphics, video edit, videography/photography, and radio. But everything I create is always circled around music.
I am Richmond born and raised and have grown with the city. Watching its beautiful art scene and music scene grow exponentially, only getting better and better by the day. I am a very active music listener, so if you ever need new music, check out some of my curated playlists! Link.
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To get to know me more or see what I got going on, you can find me on most platforms via my linktree!
You can catch me listening to the Creative Campus Playlist.
Writer/ Blogger/ Personality/ 2022-Pres.
Richy Jones “Qing Richy”
What’s the scoop?! My name is Richy Jones (they/them) and I’m a freelance creative holding it down in RVA. In 2017, I earned a bachelor's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University with a discipline in music education.
As a former school music teacher, I maintain a passion for sharing my love of music through various media.
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I’m happy to be a part of the HearRVA team, being a proponent of Richmond’s vibrant and growing music scene. As a hip hop artist, I record and perform under the stage name Qing Richy.
You can catch me listening to the James River Flow Playlist.
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Blogger/ Band Coordinator/ 2023-Pres.
Brian Huang
Hey y'all, my name is Brian and I'm from the greater Richmond area. I grew up listening mainly to rock/metal music but have expanded my tastes greatly as I've continued to discover other genres and niche artists.
These days, you can catch me looking for vinyl records to stock up on or playing my bass guitar in the shoegaze band, bellweather.
I've started to meet more local musicians in Virginia, so I joined HearRVA to help make things happen!
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You can catch me listening to the James River Flow Playlist.
Blogger/ Videographer/ 2023-Pres.
Roc Raw
Peace, my name is Roc Raw, a content creator born and raised in Richmond, VA. My journey into the arts began with music, pretty much as soon as I could hold a microphone. I have accumulated over 400 years of wisdom, and it definitely feels like it! In my free time, I enjoy smoking weed and growing vegetables.
One of my proudest achievements is the creation of Renaissance Recordings, an endeavor that's close to my heart. The aim? Simple. I wanted to shine a bright light on Richmond and its surrounding areas, giving us the recognition we deserve.
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You can catch me listening to the Southside City Slide Playlist.
Video Producer/ 2021-Pres.
Ian Ramprashad
About me!? Well, I'm Ian, a man that likes to dip his toe in about everything. I dabble in all stages of video production and love it all. I love variety and try to open myself to all that is out there, and I'd say it stretches to about all areas of my life.
My musical tastes are definitely pretty relaxed and open, you could put almost anything on and I'm sure I'd enjoy it. I really only stay away from heavy metal music but even I can "Get Down With The Sickness" (Sorry...).
At the end of the day, Good Music is Good Music, and all genres have a place in the world and should be explored.
Happy to be a part of a team that's helping push that message out there.
You can catch me listening to the James River Flow Playlist.
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Artist Development Coordinator/ 2021-Pres.
Jennifer Schools
Hey! I'm JCat and I'm obsessed with all things music and cats.
I started learning bass last summer - her name is Bridget and I'm head-over heels in love. It's the first and only instrument I've played and even though I am predominantly right-handed, I play left handed. Sometimes I like to pretend I'm Thor summoning Mjolnir because I think I'm funny. Playing bass is like therapy for me and I get super bummed if I don't get to play for at least a few hours a week.
I'm usually trying to be right up against the stage at concerts, dancing like a fool and singing my emo heart out with zero shame. Some of my favorite shows have been ones that have shockingly good openers that I end up liking more than the band I went to see. BIG ENERGY and super passionate performers you just know are having a blast are the best. Bonus points to those that really get the audience involved in the performance. Seeing these types of artists is what made me realize I wanted to be a part of that passion.
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You can catch me listening to the Slip In Shockoe Playlist.
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Max Ross
Volunteer 2021-Present
Rashida McCoy
Volunteer 2021
Gavin Harrison
Intern Summer 2022
Jess Hedrick
Volunteer 2021
Shiloh Tillman
Intern Winter 2022
Gordy Michael
Volunteer 2021-Present