<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Markdavin Obenza]]></title><description><![CDATA[Markdavin Obenza]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:35:51 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.markdavinobenza.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Seeking Director's Assistant - Position Filled]]></title><description><![CDATA[THIS POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED. Location:  Seattle, WA (Remote, Seattle area preferred for occasional on-site event support) Reports to:  Markdavin Obenza Rate:  $30.00 per hour Status:  Independent Contractor (1099) Term:  Seasonal (September – June) with a 3-month initial trial period. Start Date:  March 2, 2026. Overview   I am seeking a Director’s Assistant to assist with administrative and creative tasks for my work as Artistic Director ( Byrd Ensemble, Radiance Ensemble ) and Creative...]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/seeking-director-s-assistant</link><guid isPermaLink="false">698d00ef636516a3166e5e5b</guid><category><![CDATA[Music]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:26:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7885b1_1673faec80bd4ae4bc962397182bcf28~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[PREVIEW: Renaissance Music from Scotland &#38; England (Feb 2025)]]></title><description><![CDATA[PREVIEW: Renaissance Music from Scotland &#38; England (Feb 2025)]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/preview-renaissance-music-from-scotland-england-feb-2025</link><guid isPermaLink="false">679d2745f90d7c02d2097e48</guid><category><![CDATA[Byrd Ensemble]]></category><category><![CDATA[Music]]></category><category><![CDATA[Program Notes]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 31 Jan 2025 20:00:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7885b1_8c0b9e990014428a824f2703a5127b85~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How I lost 65 pounds.]]></title><description><![CDATA[I've tried low-carb, KETO, and exercise. This is what worked for me. ]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/how-i-lost-65-pounds</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6722d04e8e781a543c03455f</guid><category><![CDATA[Fitness]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 31 Oct 2024 20:08:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7885b1_69e416c7786e4c9280f82739aaa4f5d2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_635,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Byrd Ensemble - III. Digital media, money, and our first break (2008-2010)]]></title><description><![CDATA[In 2008, Facebook and YouTube were new. Only the young and trendy spent time on these platforms, documenting too much of their private lives]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/byrd-ensemble-iii-digital-media-money-and-our-first-break-2008-2010</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65b45b5d7497da066780e3ff</guid><category><![CDATA[Byrd Ensemble Story]]></category><category><![CDATA[Byrd Ensemble]]></category><category><![CDATA[Music]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:46:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7885b1_2fdea0d314fa4a72ab982ad5eaef86eb~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_604,h_404,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Byrd Ensemble - II. Summer of Love (2004-2007)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Flying high from our inaugural concert in 2004, we were determined to keep going. ]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/byrd-ensemble-ii-summer-of-love-2004-2007</link><guid isPermaLink="false">655900526247ad7d6fe18c9c</guid><category><![CDATA[Byrd Ensemble Story]]></category><category><![CDATA[Byrd Ensemble]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 18 Nov 2023 21:47:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7885b1_f218b24f2a0c4d1f8ae33b0a3a7ba393~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Byrd Ensemble - I. Byrdlings (2000-2004)]]></title><description><![CDATA[I was a star Soprano in the Northwest Boychoir—at least it seemed that way. ]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/byrd-ensemble-origin-story</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65308e3247e0bff929e494e6</guid><category><![CDATA[Byrd Ensemble]]></category><category><![CDATA[Byrd Ensemble Story]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 19 Oct 2023 20:25:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7885b1_e9a70233c365467a8e81d2f16be075c2~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Notes on Prince of Music: Palestrina]]></title><description><![CDATA[Notes by Kirin Nielsen, DMA]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/notes-on-prince-of-music-palestrina</link><guid isPermaLink="false">64398d5b7d3b648806821e7c</guid><category><![CDATA[Byrd Ensemble]]></category><category><![CDATA[Program Notes]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 14 Apr 2023 17:44:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7885b1_59aa608a8f4745c5adcd6a5c9c387acc~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Music for Holy Week, recorded by the Byrd Ensemble]]></title><description><![CDATA[A selection of Byrd Ensemble recordings and videos for Holy Week.]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/music-for-holy-week-recorded-by-the-byrd-ensemble</link><guid isPermaLink="false">642f154199e6e5e307fb3958</guid><category><![CDATA[Byrd Ensemble]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 06 Apr 2023 19:36:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7885b1_8c7ee4e0340e4bd887762f4e4b80cf4f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[In the Midst of Life]]></title><description><![CDATA[About program "In the Midst of Life," Feb 11, 2023. ]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/in-the-midst-of-life</link><guid isPermaLink="false">63e7f8af103e6c8934cd2c4b</guid><category><![CDATA[Arvo Pärt]]></category><category><![CDATA[Music]]></category><category><![CDATA[Program Notes]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 11 Feb 2023 20:41:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7885b1_eaa7fe1e2d6c420dbd8aee7fc777b5d0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_531,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Recording Recap - Penitence and Lamentation]]></title><description><![CDATA[THE HARDEST THING ABOUT RECORDING from a Producer’s perspective, is knowing (very quickly) the things you can fix and the things you...]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/recording-recap-penitence-and-lamentation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">63236f51b0e9c06b67d5c100</guid><category><![CDATA[Byrd Ensemble]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 15 Sep 2022 18:46:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7885b1_682f7d274ffe405499ce5a05008c78cb~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[GOAT Rocks ROCKS]]></title><description><![CDATA[AS IF MY MOUTH WAS A SPACE STATION, about a mile in our hike an unidentified flying bug docked right on my tongue. ]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/goat-rocks-rocks</link><guid isPermaLink="false">630cf6cff9b3cc8df242eeff</guid><category><![CDATA[Hiking]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 29 Aug 2022 17:40:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7885b1_b563683246f04befa4b158bcb04f945b~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trip to the Enchantments 2021]]></title><description><![CDATA[FULL VIDEO September 18-22, 2021 Shot on iPhone 12 Day 1: To Colchuck Lake and up Aasgard A test of physical and mental strength. Our 4.5...]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/trip-to-the-enchantments-2021</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61a692eee0d8fd0016110ed6</guid><category><![CDATA[Hiking]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 30 Nov 2021 21:18:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://youtu.be/gNqbIAhiZ2c" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sight-reading. A barrier.]]></title><description><![CDATA[Sight-reading. Many (perhaps most) singers dread it—I hear you. However, I see the lack of proficiency in this skill as the biggest...]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/sight-reading-a-barrier</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6170a5235eb3f7001741833b</guid><category><![CDATA[Music]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 20 Oct 2021 23:32:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7885b1_93dd4193196849929c67debd93784a09~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_787,h_201,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[HIKE 06: Ira Spring Trail - Mason Lake (Snoqualmie Pass, WA)]]></title><description><![CDATA[My brother scored tickets to hike the enchantments this September 2021 and I’m going on a bunch of hikes to get my butt in shape. Will be...]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/hike-06-ira-spring-trail-mason-lake-snoqualmie-pass-wa</link><guid isPermaLink="false">60db6700e0dd7a0015911934</guid><category><![CDATA[Hiking]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 29 Jun 2021 18:42:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://youtu.be/GFibHEPjQ_g" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[NEW PUPPY EDITION: Gotcha Day]]></title><description><![CDATA[We are excited to introduce our latest addition to the family! Meet Myla, a chocolate colored standard poodle. Follow her on Instagram....]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/new-puppy-edition-gotcha-day</link><guid isPermaLink="false">60db666390670d0015b691b8</guid><pubDate>Tue, 29 Jun 2021 18:31:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://youtu.be/2lEZfOPtMk8" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[HIKE 05: Iron Bear - Teanaway Ridge (Central Cascades, WA)]]></title><description><![CDATA[My brother scored tickets to hike the enchantments this September 2021 and I’m going on a bunch of hikes to get my butt in shape. Will be...]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/hike-05-iron-bear-teanaway-ridge-central-cascades-wa</link><guid isPermaLink="false">60abed580ccd83001525a012</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 May 2021 18:23:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://youtu.be/UsYJHORHsRc" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[HIKE 04: Oyster Dome (Bellingham, WA)]]></title><description><![CDATA[My brother scored tickets to hike the enchantments this September 2021 and I’m going on a bunch of hikes to get my butt in shape. Will be...]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/hike-04-oyster-dome-bellingham-wa</link><guid isPermaLink="false">609c4dbefdf88500165b8c09</guid><pubDate>Wed, 12 May 2021 22:07:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://youtu.be/NLfUkMK47MA" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[HIKE 03: Manastash Ridge Trail (Central WA)]]></title><description><![CDATA[My brother scored tickets to hike the enchantments this September 2021 and I’m going on a bunch of hikes to get my butt in shape. Will be...]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/hike-03-manastash-ridge-trail-central-wa</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6099d36a98125f0015dce0b4</guid><category><![CDATA[Hiking]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 11 May 2021 00:47:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://youtu.be/PQu2kY2RKnI" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[HIKE 02: Sauer’s Mountain (Central Cascades, WA)]]></title><description><![CDATA[My brother scored tickets to hike the enchantments this September 2021 and I’m going on a bunch of hikes to get my butt in shape. Will be...]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/hike-02-sauer-s-mountain-central-cascades-wa</link><guid isPermaLink="false">60905664e232a40015f85c22</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 May 2021 20:10:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://youtu.be/3KO82-gwPvM" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[HIKE 01: Margaret’s Way (Issaquah Alps, WA)]]></title><description><![CDATA[My brother scored tickets to hike the enchantments this September 2021 and I’m going on a bunch of hikes to get my butt in shape. Will be...]]></description><link>https://www.markdavinobenza.com/post/hike-01-margaret-s-way-issaquah-alps-wa</link><guid isPermaLink="false">60905114c0d090001633a3da</guid><category><![CDATA[Hiking]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 03 May 2021 19:44:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://youtu.be/VYzCqlgaQoM" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Markdavin Obenza</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>