About Us

Vlad Gutkovich
Vlad Gutkovich joined Flocabulary in 2008, bringing with him a wide range of experience in teaching, music and marketing. After graduating from Wesleyan University with High Honors in Music and a Certificate in International Relations, Vlad worked as a producer/composer for a music production house, while freelancing as a children’s music specialist for various organizations throughout the city. Vlad has performed at hundreds of concerts as a drummer and bandleader, playing venues including B.B. King’s, Joe’s Pub and Lincoln Center. He is thrilled to be a part of Flocabulary, where his skills as a businessman, artist and activist are challenged and utilized as never before.

Mervin Jenkins a.k.a. Spectac
The multi-talented musician / middle school principal holds a master's degree from Charleston Southern University, where he studied Secondary Educational Leadership. Now a principal at Horton Middle School in Pittsboro, North Carolina, Mr. Jenkins is leading a new generation of young people through his speaking program Life Through Music. In addition to these educational initiatives, Spectac has found time to write and record his own material with artists like Big Daddy Kane and 9th Wonder.

9th Wonder
This producer is among the world’s most talented sample and remix artists, having worked with Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, and as part of the group Little Brother. Coming off a 2007 Grammy win for his work with Blige, 9th’s sound has been heralded as “smooth, graceful, and hotter-than-hot” by Remix Magazine. With dozens of production credits under his belt, 9th Wonder is now an Artist in Residence with North Carolina Central University’s Hip-Hop Initiative.

Dillon Maurer
Dillon Maurer is an Atlanta-based emcee and producer who tutors students in all subjects when he isn’t making beats and writing rhymes. As a performer he has toured all over the US and Europe and shared the stage with KRS-One, Talib Kweli, Pete Rock, The Pharcyde, and many more. Dillon is a regular contributor to Flocabulary’s albums as well as The Week in Rap. He has also cooked dinner for Chuck D of Public Enemy.

D-Stroy
D-Stroy, born and raised in Bushwick Brooklyn, has been making music since 1996 when he and Tony Touch first collaborated. A member of The Arsonists, D-Stroy has since toured with a wide variety of artists from Kanye West, Eminem and Ludacris to The Roots, L.L. Cool J and Busta Rhymes. More recently, he has toured with Miri Ben-Ari the hip-hop violinist, performing on Tavis Smiley, B.E.T.’s 106 & Park and at Shaquille O’Neal’s birthday party. D has been working with Flocabulary since 2008.

Zach Prottas
A workshop leader for Flocabulary, Zach approaches hip-hop with a personal passion as well as an academic focus. As a writer Zach has had the opportunity to interview artists ranging from The Clipse, Swizz Beatz and Consequence. Co-Hosting the pilot PBS History Detectives Lab, Zach oversaw students’ historical research projects across 4 states. In addition to touring with Flocabulary, Zach works as a professor assistant at the Baruch College History department and student advisor for NY Link.

Akir
A rising star in the NYC hip-hop world, Akir has been hailed as Hip-Hop Magazine’s “Next 2 Blow,” XXL’s “Chairman’s Choice,” Source Magazine’s “Unsigned Hype”, and named by the Washington Post as a “Rhymer on the Rise.”

Dana Riddick
With an MFA in acting from Columbia University, Riddick has performed in theaters all over the world including runs in South Korea, Italy and across the United States. Favorite roles include Poncia in Bernarda Alba, Medea and Marks in Talking With. Riddick was the recipient of the Liberace Fellowship and Westmoreland Scholarship. She says, "Many thanks to Flocab for this opportunity to rediscover Shakespeare."

Kawachi Clemons
Now a visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Director of the Hip-Hop Initiative at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), Kawachi earned his bachelor's degree in music education from Florida A & M University and a master's degree in music production and arts management from Florida International University (FIU). Kawachi has served on the staff of numerous productions including the Academy Awards and Super Bowl XXXIII Halftime Show. His research focuses on the inter-relationship of artistic agency (problem-posing and problem-solving in the arts) and culturally responsive teaching.

April Hill
The protégé of Marlon Sanders, this talented jazz and R&B singer has performed at the Blue Note, the Cutting Room, Warm Daddy’s and numerous clubs in New York and Philly.