Ms. Mullady, a native of Long Island, is co-host and co-producer of the American Beatbox Championships, a national battle, in Brooklyn Nov. 8 through 10. The event is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

This is an edited and condensed version of a recent conversation with her.

How did you get started?

KAILA MULLADY I’ve been beatboxing since I can remember. I would watch videos on YouTube. In fifth grade, this kid told me: “You’re beatboxing. That’s what you’re doing.” It became the party trick. I would do it in the back of the bus or on the lunch table and people would rap to it.

When did you realize you wanted to pursue it as a career?

MULLADY After high school, I met this beatboxer named JFlo at a party. My friends were trying to get me to beatbox and I said, “I’m not your toy.”

Then my one friend got it out of me. JFlo came out of the backyard and everyone parted like the Red Sea. He said: “Was that you? Do it again.” So I beatboxed for him and he said, “O.K., you need to hang out with me.”

He introduced me to the New York City beatboxing community , where I m et my mentor, Kid Lucky.

What happened next?