Voices Rising: October 2026 Samurais of Sound Newsletter
Originally shared in our October 9, 2026 email newsletter. News, release plans, and event details reflect this edition.
Creative interests. Real projects. New possibilities.
Welcome to the October edition of Voices Rising!
This month, we’re celebrating creative work from across our community—from an upcoming participant EP to a voice acting demo reel, alongside new music from our team and opportunities to connect.
For participants, families, Independent Facilitators, and support teams, these stories offer a glimpse of what creative exploration can become: something to learn from, build on, and proudly share.
Participant Spotlight: XXX Toby One’s Tech Star EP
An original idea can become something the world gets to hear.
We’re celebrating XXX Toby One, a participant in our Samurais of Sound Purple Belt program, whose Tech Star EP is scheduled for release on October 20 through Samurais of Sound Records. Our participant-focused label supports emerging artists as they develop their sound, collaborate, and prepare original work for release.
For the people you support, music production can be more than an interest—it can become an opportunity to practice creative decision-making, learn production skills, and work toward a finished project.
Your participants could have access to similar opportunities, shaped around their interests, goals, and support needs. A professional music career doesn’t have to be the starting point. Curiosity and a desire to create are good places to begin.
Explore Samurais of Sound Records
Participant Spotlight: Amanda Ching’s Voice Acting Demo
This month, we’re also sharing Amanda Ching’s voice acting demo reel, created with Strawberry Hill Studio. Join us in celebrating Amanda’s work and hearing her performance for yourself.
A demo reel gives creative practice a tangible destination: a portfolio piece that a participant can share with others. Our voice acting pathway brings together guided practice, performance coaching, and demo development to support that process.
Know a participant who loves characters, animation, games, or storytelling? They could explore similar opportunities through individualized training—whether their goal is vocational exploration, creative expression, or simply discovering what their voice can do.
From Our Creative Team: Fathom by Austin David Coffee
Five songs exploring longing, connection, and the worlds we build around ourselves.
Fathom, the new EP from Austin David Coffee, blends intimate indie-folk, cinematic rock, and electronic textures. The release includes Austin’s remix of “Encrypted Code Reality,” featuring Akira Yamaoka and Raj Ramayya, alongside four other songs that move through nautical, cosmic, and digital imagery.
Take a listen, explore the stories behind the songs, or bring the voyage home with the vinyl and CD editions. Artwork-inspired merchandise is also available.
A Weekend on Mars: There’s Still Time to Become a Founder
We’re continuing the journey toward Raj Ramayya’s A Weekend on Mars—a narrative concept album that expands into the illustrated novella and audiobook, The Cosmic Curry Chronicles of Ravi the Tantric Taxi Driver. Founder supporters can experience the complete album before its worldwide digital release.
Support tiers include signed CDs, artwork, a T-shirt from the vault, and options that add the illustrated novella and limited vinyl edition.
The Founder campaign closes December 18, with the signed, numbered vinyl edition limited to 300 copies. Explore the project, find the edition that speaks to you, or help us spread the word by sharing it with a friend.
Double SDP: Helping Families Understand Their Choices
We’re helping spread awareness of the Double SDP Challenge, now part of “Your life. Your plan. Your choice.”
The campaign’s goal is for people and families to understand three ways to receive regional center services before their next planning meeting: traditional services, participant-directed services, and the Self-Determination Program. The campaign comes from the Self-Determination Institute and Self-Determination Tech Alliance.
The message is simple: people should know their options so they can choose what fits their lives.
The online kickoff takes place Thursday, November 12, from noon to 1:15 p.m. Pacific, on Zoom, in English with Spanish interpretation. Please help share the campaign with participants, families, and colleagues who could benefit from learning more.
Learn More & Register for the Kickoff
Strawberry Hill Studio in Marin Magazine
How does a career in anime soundtracks lead to a creative studio and educational community in Marin?
In “From Anime Soundtracks to Strawberry Hill Studio: Raj Ramayya’s Journey,” Marin Magazine explores Raj’s work in Japan, his move to Marin, and the connection between performing, producing, and teaching. The interview also highlights our work with the Marin County Office of Education and the development of Samurais of Sound.
It’s a chance to get to know the people and purpose behind the programs—and why access to meaningful creative education matters to us.
Read the Marin Magazine Feature
Coming This December: The Strawberry Hill Holiday Party
We're bringing the Strawberry Hill community together for a holiday celebration on Saturday, December 12, from 5–8 PM PT! Join us in person at Strawberry Hill Studio or celebrate with us online.
We look forward to celebrating the year's creative achievements, connecting with participants, families, friends, and collaborators, and sharing some holiday cheer!
🎶 The evening will also feature a special musical performance by Raj Ramayya!
Whether you're joining us in person or virtually, we'd love to see you! Please RSVP below so we know you'll be celebrating with us.
What could someone you support create?
An original recording. A character performance. A portfolio that reflects their interests.
Our music production, voice acting, and creative media pathways offer different starting points for building skills and exploring possibilities.
Contact us to talk about a participant’s interests and whether Samurais of Sound could be a good fit.
Upcoming Workshops
Creatures and Monsters Voice Over with Karen Strassman
Coming Up Soon: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Bring imaginative characters to life!
Explore the techniques professional voice actors use to create creatures, monsters, and unique character voices. Learn how performance choices, vocal techniques, and creativity combine to build unforgettable characters.
Video Game Battle Chest with Andrea Toyias
Coming Up Soon: Saturday, November 14th, 2026
Level up your voice acting skills!
Dive into the world of video game performance and discover what it takes to create memorable characters for interactive storytelling.
Scoring for Visual Media with Austin David Coffee
Coming Up Soon: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Bring Your Stories to Life Through Music!
Join us for an engaging workshop where participants can explore how music shapes film, television, animation, and games. Learn practical techniques for reading a scene, choosing sounds, creating themes, and syncing music to picture.
Thank you for being part of the Strawberry Hill Studio community. We’re excited to continue creating opportunities for participants to explore their talents, build confidence, and discover what’s possible. ✨