Constructing Identity through Decolonizing Kiki with Kiernan Steiner

The Conductor's Podcast

In today’s episode, we will be discussing “decolonization.” One of the trends that the world of classical music is slowly embracing in recent years.

In politics, the process of decolonization can be very broad, from colonies becoming independent countries recognized by the international society to recognizing how the colonial powers have taken advantage of the colonies, to changing the language used when referring to “native” people to the “indigenous,” to colonized people regaining confidence in and respect for their own cultural and traditions. This is a long and somehow painful process, and also very individual to each country and to each person.

However, my guest today, Dr. Kiernan Steiner, or Dr. Kiki, as she is known, will focus our decolonization process on a personal level, and discuss how we can apply the same principles to free our own mind. How we can become independent from stereotypes or social rules that were imposed upon us, and to find our own voices. As a transracial adoptee, she will also speak to us how her journey of finding her biological family has shaped who she is now, a truly lovely story to hear.

Dr. Kiki Steiner is a holistic vocal coach, decolonization consultant, and choral conductor. She empowers others to connect with their voice through releasing shame around one’s voice and facilitating self-led healing. Dr. Kiki’s ancestors are from the Philippines, Ireland, and Germanic Europe, and was raised in Southwestern Wisconsin. Dr. Kiki’s doctoral research focused on power structures within choral music education, which has led her to creating decolonized virtual spaces for creatives, artists, and educators in order to activate creativity and hope for the future.

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