Salim Afshar is a surgical resident at Massachusetts General Hospital where he specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery. A graduate of Harvard University (medical and dental school) and Boston University (physiology and engineering), Salim presently serves on the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Medford, Massachusetts. When not working and serving, Salim enjoys sculpting, teaching, and the outdoors.

Barbara Yazdi Markert was raised in a Bahá’í family and has served the Faith in various capacities ever since. Presently, Barbara serves as a member of the Regional Bahá’í Council of the Northeastern States and represents the Faith as a member of the United Chaplains at Harvard University and the Religious Life Team at Wellesley College.

Presently serving as an Auxiliary Board Member in New England, Brett Gamboa is a PhD student at Harvard University. His writing and teaching focus on the Renaissance and other dramatic literature and he directs Shakespeare for the theatre. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts with his wife, Gladys, a medical doctor who makes time to set aflame the worlds.

Morris Taylor has been involved in education and training for over 25 years. He has presented more than 1,300 lectures, seminars, and workshops in a variety of civic and corporate environments in various countries in Europe, South America, the Pacific, Africa, the Caribbean, as well as throughout the United States. Having served as a member of the Regional Bahá’í Council of the Central States for 10 years, Morris is the author of several books including The Anvil of the Spirit, Helping Joe Strong, and the recently published How to Create a Magical College Life.

Having presented at NEBY Fest more than any other presenter in its history, Rebequa Murphy returns to share her love, wisdom, and insight. Rebequa presently serves as a member of the Continental Board of Counselors with a particular emphasis on serving the Northwestern and Northeastern States.

Shirin is a young inspirational singer-songwriter who, at the tender age of 16, is a rising star. Shirin, who hails from the UK, has performed at The Nordic Bahá’í Youth Conference in April 2007 as well as the Bahá’í Arts Festival in Limassol, Cyprus in June of this year, where she sang her brand of Pop and R&B songs as well as a mix of original devotional style songs. Appearing on ITV Television in England in November, 2006 and recording several Radio Interviews and making her debut on an album in Barbados when she was just 14 – Shirin’s profile is already beginning to build.

Kevin Locke (Tokeya Inajin is his Lakota name, meaning "The First to Arise") is known throughout the world as a visionary Hoop Dancer, the preeminent player of the indigenous Northern Plains flute, a traditional storyteller, cultural ambassador, recording artist, and educator. Touring for two decades, Kevin has performed and lectured in more than 80 countries, sharing his vision of balance, joy, and diversity. Since 1982, Kevin has recorded twelve albums of music and stories, most recently The First Flute, Open Circle, Keepers of the Dream, and Dream Catcher.

Though uprooted from his native California in the early '70’s, Grammy Award winner KC Porter's upbringing in Guatemala (as a child Bahá’í pioneer) brought a Latin direction into his life and music. He would go on to produce, arrange, and compose for artists such as Carlos Santana, Ricky Martin, Toni Braxton, Mya, Bon Jovi, Boyz II Men, Janet Jackson, Laura Pausini, Ozomatli, Selena, and many others. KC was a featured vocalist on Santana's Supernatural, and has also served as a producer/vocalist for music featured in various films including "Cape of Good Hope", "The Mexican," and "Mr. & Mrs. Smith."

Bruce Grover bridges musical worlds with sharp acoustic dubtronic-folk:  guitar, cello, drums and “vocals that will put you in a trance” (Askew Reviews). Raised in India, Maine, and Israel, before settling in  Boston, and now New York City, Bruce puts his life into songs that are by turns funny, sad and hopeful. Combining “…poetic lyrics” (The Boston Globe) with a “…haunting voice and expressive acoustic guitar” (The Boston Phoenix) Bruce creates music for the modern world.

Now in his last year at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Elden Kelly is an accomplished guitarist, composer, and vocalist.  Elden is presently celebrating the release of a new album which features settings of the Writings of the Bahá’í Faith to music.

British singer-songwriter, Martin Kerr, makes his third NEBY appearance, bringing his unique blend of songs which are each “lethally singable, yet full of buried treasures for the lyric lover, and sweet surprises for those bored by predictable pop.” Martin’s recent album “I Know You’re Out There” has already been the source of much global acclaim and was recently named “Best Provincial Pop Album 2007” by Toronto Exclusive Magazine.

The Children's Theatre Company is a non-profit organization dedicated to introducing children and youth to the incomparable magic of theatre, with a commitment to develop in each child, a keen sense of citizenship alongside their artistic achievements. Hailed as "one of New York's most successful working models of unity in diversity" by Time-Out New York, The Children's Theatre Company has been featured on Good Morning America, Sesame Street, and Reading Rainbow, and has appeared with Nelson Mandela, Harry Belafonte, Wynton Marsalis, and James Earl Jones.

Born and raised in Carlsbad, California, Kelsey Bulkin started writing music after receiving a guitar for her fifteenth birthday. With no formal training, but surrounded by a very musical family, she started writing her own music based on themes found in the Bahá’í Writings. Her sound combines the emotional intensity of Damien Rice and the trusted tone of James Taylor, set over hushed acoustic melodies similar to Iron and Wine.

Andy Grammer, son of one of the most prolific and beloved children's singers of our time, Red Grammer, is carving out his own niche, not just in the Bahá’í community, but nationwide. Having just graduated in the past year with a degree in music business, Andy has been touring the U.S., sharing his music from New York to Alaska, San Francisco to Louisiana, Idaho to Massachusetts, and everywhere in between. He is currently finishing his first full length studio album in Los Angeles.

Montreal Rain is a women's choir based out of Montreal, Quebec. In collaboration with local musicians, Cam Britton and Eric Farr, it has grown to feature a diverse group of singers, dancers, and musicians in what results in a truly uplifting artistic experience. Using music as a channel for positive energy, Montreal Rain keeps it real with originals, covers, and musical interpretations of the Word of God.

Benny Cassette is a recording artist, producer, and songwriter who recently completed his solo artist debut, which is to be released on Universal Music. As a producer and songwriter, he has worked with the likes of Willie Nelson, Shakira, Timberland, and Eve. His music is featured in movies and TV shows such as The Fast and Furious, The Perfect Score, ATL, The OC, NipTuck, and many others.

Singing since she was too little to remember, Tara Ellis has a style that naturally embodies the music of the past, present, and future. Her sound is alternative soul, her heart is the Bahá’í Faith, and her mission is universal fellowship. Her versatile vocals seem to fit in any environment and are infectious to any ear that hears them.

Throughout his upbringing in diverse music, from singing in a gospel choir to playing the trumpet, Badí Meccouri has developed his own unique style of hip hop. Drawing on personal experience, his lyrics attempt to process how spirituality is created through hardship in life. Badí is finishing his debut album with Next Movement Records to be released in the spring of 2008.

Living in New York City, Diane Nosseir enjoys musical collaboration with artists from rock, hip hop, soul and jazz genres. She is currently working on a Nigerian HIV/AIDS project and is pursuing a graduate degree in international health policy. Ultimately, she finds happiness in a balance of artistic and academic creativity.

Devon Gundry, a musician raised in Tennessee, now residing in Los Angeles, is a leader in the field of setting sacred text to music. Infectious melodies along with a full throttle rock-out reverence not quite seen before in the Bahá’í Faith, has brought him to perform in such places as Australia, England, the Czech Republic, and all across the United States.

The Dawnbreaker Collective is a collaboration of Los Angeles Bahá’í artists who recently produced "Arise," a new album that sets the precedent for a new breed of music, emanating from the Bahá’í community. Led by Benny Cassette, the group radiates an eclectic mix of styles, including hip-hop, folk, roots, and pop, interlaced with spoken word.