OUR MISSION
Global Music Collective is a music organization with a constantly growing international series of collaborations, performances, forums, workshops, and recordings. Led by Kate Bass, a singer and songwriter from Alaska, USA, and Richard Steighner, a producer, beatboxer, singer, and songwriter from Colorado, USA, Global Music Collective unites people worldwide through the universal language of music. Our goal is to amplify underrepresented voices, foster understanding across diverse cultures, and empower economic growth through artistic expression.
Global Music Collective is powered by Giant Steps Music, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization
Our cross-cultural music collaboration programs head out around the world! New songs, new artists, new countries, but...
we operate with your contributions
Make a Donation to our organization, Global Music Collective (Paypal)
Introducing the Global Music Collective
Well Versed studio in Abuja, Nigeria. Thanks to CDAF and Accountability Lab as well as U.S. Embassy Abuja for making this program possible. July 25, 2023, we are proud to announce the foundation of The Global Music Collective. We have combined forces with numerous...
Equatorial Guinea Collab
https://youtu.be/exquafx7LbA On a recent Arts Envoy trip to Equatorial Guinea (our thanks to the U. S. Embassy Malabo and American Voices for making this program happen), Richard's group Freedom's Boombox collaborated with local artists to write an inspiring song...
Who We Are
Led by Kate Bass, a singer and songwriter from Alaska, USA, and Richard Steighner, a producer, beatboxer, singer, and songwriter from Colorado, USA.
Recent and Upcoming Projects
Highlighted Programs
Kerala, India, 2025
An immersive week-long event in Kerala, India to collaborate, create music videos, and to share cultures. Global Music Collective brought together artists from the GMC India program to explore the region and share music. Music video coming soon!
Turkmenistan, 2025
2 week cultural diplomacy program in Turkmenistan, ringing Broadway, beatboxing, and more to 5 cities across the country! Global Music Collective worked with the US Embassy in Ashgabat to produce an amazing program of workshops, performances, and cultural exchange. Included collaborations with the symphony and local artists.
Austin, Texas, 2024
Kate Bass and Richie "Robot" Steighner team up with incredible Austin artists: Gina Chavez and Jon Muq. Over 2 weeks they write, record, and perform an entire new album that explores musical styles from Latin Grammy nominee Chavez, Ugandan immigrant Jon Muq, Alaska native Broadway/Classical vocalist Kate Bass, and beatboxer Richie Robot. Program powered by Austin Live Music Fund grant--thank you!
Delhi, India, 2023
Our flagship program featuring an immersive venture into Delhi, India to create new, impactful music. Crossing cultures and breaking genres, Kate Bass and Richie "Robot" Steighner join forces with Harpreet, Santur Kundu, and amazing artists around the area. Featuring workshops, forums, public performances, and an original album, this program IS the Global Music Collective.
"Conversations" Uganda, 2023
Andereya and Kate met in the YES Uganda musical program in July 2022 and bonded over a shared love of different cultures, philosophy, languages, and, of course, music. When Kate's trip to Uganda was unexpectedly extended, they jumped on the opportunity to collaborate writing a new original song together with Ugandan musician and producer Joses Arins Emanzi.
After years of COVID-19 isolation, songwriting together inspired many conversations about what connects us and what we owe each other in our own local societies, as well as the global community at large. These conversations developed into a true cross-cultural musical collaboration, incorporating both Ugandan and American language and traditional musical styles.
This project was a success thanks to over 100 Kickstarter backers as well as additional support from the U. S. Embassy Kampala.
"Well Versed" Nigeria, 2022
Media Literacy Through Songwriting. A program funded by the CDAF grant program. Our focus was to use songwriting to combat mis- and dis-information. We ran a series of virtual programs engaging 30 aspiring artists around Abuja, Nigeria. The program included building a studio in Abuja complete with recording gear, accessible to members of the program.
Special thanks to Accountability Lab and the US Embassy in Abuja. Our thanks to the Citizens Diplomacy Action Fund for funding this project.
Lockdown Collab. Virtual, 2020-21
International virtual musical project started in the lockdowns around the world. Dozens of international artists responded to a prompt to contribute a piece of their musical talent and culture to the project. All the parts are were then mixed into a beautiful collection of different sounds focused on one song.
Written by Kate Bass (and dozens of artists around the globe). Mixed and mastered by Richard "Robot" Steighner.
Fusion Music Academy - Australia, 2017-20
Artist development programs across Australia focused on engaging and educating young artists. Included outreach in rural Australian communities as well as increased access for marginalized communities. We produced 2 full length albums, hundreds of photos and videos, and held dozens of artist showcases nationwide.
In partnership with the New Faces Talent Group in Melbourne.
Program Experience
AMA Academy
American Music Abroad
Arts Envoy
YES Academy
Wordplay (The Lyrics Project)
Hong Kong Music Walk
Vocal Asia
Vocal Australia
Artist in Residence: NYPA
Youth On Record
Australian A Cappella
Sri Lanka Music Fest
Camp A Cappella
Hong Kong Youth Groups
London A Cappella
University of Denver Bridge Project
Various projects with ECA/US Dept of State
Additional projects made with American Voices, YES Academy, Arts Envoy, American Music Abroad.
Our thanks to American Voices and the U.S. Embassies (Bangladesh, Uganda, Kenya, Singapore, Nigeria, Indonesia, Equatorial Guinea) and Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for making these programs possible. Please visit the full video links for complete descriptions.
Blog
For Your Consideration
The Global Music Collective album, GMC India is presented for consideration in the Global category of this year's Grammys.