Cory Kachmarik’s art form needs no brush, instrument or tool. It does not require backup music, microphones or color. Its practitioners do not attend selective colleges or auction their work for millions of dollars. All it needs is a voice and dedication. Whether performing on YouTube or in front of a live audience in a national tournament, beatboxers pursue their art across the world.

Two Revere sophomores have explored the art of beatboxing, competing in a national tournament with their talent.

Sophomores Cory Kachmarik and Anthony Mazzola began beatboxing earlier this year. After watching videos, Kachmarik, then later Mazzola, began beatboxing themselves.

“It was very much a random thing…. We started watching YouTube videos together,” Mazzola said.

Kachmarik recalled how he started beatboxing.

“I saw a video of a guy [beatboxing] on YouTube, and I thought, ‘I wouldn’t be able to do that if I tried,’ but [learning how to beatbox] is like [climbing] a mountain or staircase, and as you improve and climb you meet people,” Kachmarik said.

Soon, Kachmarik began making videos of himself beatboxing and posted them on YouTube.

“I started making videos because I wanted to be able to express my art to the community, so I could get feedback and constructive criticism,” Kachmarik said.

In doing so, Kachmarik climbed his first flight of stairs, meeting Austin Chen, known as Flashburn, a nineteen-year old from Shaker Heights, who became his mentor.

“Austin is a great guy, he is my personal trainer, and he pushes me to the maximum capacity,” Kachmarik said.

Jeff Kachmarik, Cory’s father, noted that the beatboxing community embraced his son.

“I was kind of leery about [Cory beatboxing], but he seems to be good at it, [and he] found a niche there [in] an online clan,” Jeff said.

Kachmarik found a warm welcome from the online community using Ventrilo, a real-time voice chat server for the beatboxing community. Kachmarik also competed in Columbus at this year’s Midwest Beatbox Battle. While there, he met many beatoxers in person and got to compete against others from the United States.

“Meeting [famous beatboxers] was really awesome and inspirational. It is like listening to a band versus seeing them live,” Mazzola said.
Kachmarik has plans for the future, including going to the Ohio State Championship on January 3.

“My goals are how far I’m actually going to go in a five year time period, how far I can push myself, and go everywhere I can travel. I definitely want to make it [into a tournament bracket]. I want to eventually pull something off for America,” Kachmarik said.

Mazzola wants to publicize beatbox and improve his skills.

“I would like to start a Youtube channel, get the message of beatbox out to the world,” Mazzola said.

Both of these sophomores have explored beatboxing over the past several months, and aspire to someday join the list of artists from across the world in holding the title of World Beatboxing Champion.