Every once in a while we have the good fortune of working on a project that we feel truly matters, a project that we’ll still be thinking about years from now. Maybe even something we can imagine telling our grandkids about – surely you’ve had moments like that where something you did in your professional life really mattered?
Spencer Davidson
The most rewarding aspect has to be the freedom to express the type of music I find most inspiring. I love being able to create the music I’m most passionate about. Drum & Bass is my favorite type of dance music, and it has inspired me to develop a new style I call “World Drum & Bass.” With that, I’ve been continuously releasing music to showcase my art. My latest EP is out Friday, 11/1/24, on Lunar Bass Records. Read more>>
Mcclaine Timmerman
As the Founder and Artistic Director of the Contemporary Dance Choreography Festival in Orlando, FL, I strive to continue to present meaningful work from global choreographers who have something important to say. This year will be CDC Fest’s 6th year as a growing professional festival that provides a weekend of opportunities for local and traveling dancers and choreographers. This year CDC Fest is hosting a guest choreographer who will be setting a new integrative work on both dancers with disabilities and without. Morgan Joanne Grube, our 2025 guest choreographer will host an audition open to all festival participants and dance community of Orlando and select dancers who will stay all day to create and learn the opening number of the festival performance on Sunday, June 22nd at 7:30pm. The purpose of this work is to build a professional piece of choreography that can be accessible to dancers with hidden or visible disabilities/sesitivities and integrate other dancers without disabilities/sesitivities to build strong relationships and a meaningful message to the audience. Anyone can dance, and dancers do not all have to check the same boxes to move their body and create art. Read more>>
Theresa Cunningham
I’d have to say that any work done for local charities are my most meaningful contributions. I was part of the first Mirci 52 windows silent auction for two years which is a local mental health center that proceeds went to Mirci, Oliver Gospel Mission, and Harvest Hope Food Bank. Read more>>
Becca Alvarado Artist
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on thus far happened recently at a little venue in downtown called The Living Room. A good friend of mine known as KeiRock, another artist of many hats, asked me earlier in the summer to take the stage as a solo poet for his Poetry Diet event- the Tiny Desk of Poetry if you will. Initially I had to postpone the original show’s date in August due to my mother getting sick which fueled my insecurities; I was mentally or emotionally not ready. I’m so honored to have an individual like Kei who believes in my work so much so, he provided the grace and understanding to give me time to prepare. We finally settled on a date on October 6th, 2024. Read more>>
Ami Maki
Being an artist means being vulnerable. I grew up a privileged, beautiful, white girl in a safe town with a huge support network of family, friends and educators. I lived in a big house on 7 acres of woods and fields, played soccer, swam on the swim team, played the cello and barely worked for my decent grades. I even discovered in high school that I was a rather exceptional artist; I was commissioned by the Portland Trail Blazers at 16 to create Clyde Drexler’s retirement gift, a 3ftx5ft charcoal piece. Despite all of this my self-esteem was very low. Sadly, I was convinced that my body was the wrong size. Read more>>
Tessa Andrade
As a full-time content producer, I’m very lucky that I get to work on meaningful creative projects constantly. In the sports media industry, I’ve been able to tell impactful stories that reach a wide audience while continuously growing my craft. Being able to tell the stories of athletes beyond their sport is something I’m truly grateful for. However, the most meaningful project I’m currently working on is not sports related; it is a documentary about stuttering. I’m a person who stutters and am an advocate of speech diversity. I believe that you should be listened to, taken seriously, and trusted even if you have speech disfluencies. I’m working on this project alongside Maya Chupkov, who you featured recently. We are in the early stages of this documentary, balancing our very busy full-time jobs outside of volunteering on this passion project. My hope for this documentary is to educate others about stuttering while dismantling harmful narratives the media has often portrayed. I want people to understand that stuttering doesn’t equate to being unintelligent, nervous, or shy; it’s simply the way I speak. I know what I want to say. I just stutter. Read more>>
Josh Allain
Since August 16, 2016, I’ve been working on an ongoing project titled “Rockin’ Jazz”. Each fictional guitarist is named after a 20th-century jazz musician, and the outfits that most of the characters wear contain complex, psychedelic patterns. It’s my way of celebrating black culture generally and the black experience in rock and metal specifically. Read more>>
Emily Keith
One of the most rewarding projects for me has been working with the Pablove Foundation to invest in underfunded, cutting-edge pediatric cancer research. Sadly, many people don’t know that cancer is the #1 leading cause of death by disease in kids under age 19. At Pablove, we invest in tomorrow’s cures. Our seed grants provide funding to scientists with exciting, outside-the-box strategies. With our grants, researchers can collect the critical data they need to validate their hypothesis and qualify for larger, federal funding or even launch clinical trial. Without our funding, these researchers’ brilliant ideas would simply sit in desk drawers, waiting for a chance to be tested. Read more>>
James Canfield
My company, Tier5 Theatre Company, started its journey as a bit of fluke. I was in grad school at East 15 Acting School in London, working towards my MFA in Acting. We had to write these 10 minute monologues for our thesis project. The monologues had to be inspired by a character in a play. I had just seen Wolf Hall on Broadway during my summer holiday, and decided to write my monologue about Henry VIII in the afterlife, reckoning with what he put his six wives through. After months of research, I finished the monologue, but felt like it just didn’t work- I didn’t care what Henry VIII had to say about any of this, I was more interested in what his wives had to say. So the monologue became a show. Henry VIII wakes up in purgatory and one by one each of his six wives confronts him and lets him know how much he sucked. I asked six of my actress friends from my grad school cohort to be a part of the show, I roped in my friend, Hilary Kelman (who went on to play Catherine of Aragon), to co-produce with me, and we decided, “let’s take this show to Edinburgh Festival Fringe!” Read more>>
Shell Hall
Writing my book! I love working on this project. It went from a simple little E-book that I thought I would publish in a week, to a book that has evolved into a much larger project. Throughout my journey, I realized this could be a truly authentic brand for myself. Meeting with the interviewees has inspired me more than I could’ve ever imagined. Listening and learning their stories of success has inspired me to find myself in a truly authentic way. Which inspired, Realities of Entrepreneurs, “Drop the Facade.” Think of a mask as a metaphor for the personas we adopt in different situations or the facade we present to the world. Behind these masks lie our true emotions, experiences, fears, and desires. Each person’s story is unique and shaped by their life experiences, relationships, challenges, and triumphs. By peeling back these masks, we reveal the complexity of human existence and the richness of individual narratives. The facade we carry becomes a weight, separating us from genuine connection. This project is so meaningful to me, and I want to share it with the world in hopes that it inspires others to truly be authentic. Read more>>
Claudia Chicas
In photography, a photo is worth a thousand words. I believe everyone should have access to creating their memories, regardless of what they’re able to pay. About a year ago, a very close family friend’s father suffered a tragic accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. I’ve known this family for nearly 20 years, and our families are incredibly close, so I was devastated by the news. After some time, their eldest daughter reached out, asking if I could take family photos to celebrate how far they had come and to create some new memories together. I was delighted to help and arranged to take the photos in their home to accommodate her father’s condition. Read more>>
Mag Electric
Our most meaningful project to date was our debut album “Full Throttle” released February 2024. We wrote the album after playing together for 3 years, writing, practicing, and gigging. It was very rewarding to see the results of all that work come to fruition and be able to share it with the world. Read more>>
Joanne Steinhardt
My current body of work, Endless Second Chances, is by far the most meaningful project I have ever worked on both professionally and personally. My mother died in 2012. In the moments after she transitioned, I walked through her kitchen, and something compelled me to grab an old crate filled with all of her recipes. For the next seven years I created 12 hand bound sculptural yet functional books from the artifacts and recipes of my mother. I launched the community-based project in 2019 to humbling success. At the end of my time traveling in California with the books, my car was broken into and their case and all of the volumes were stolen never to be retrieved. Over the following weeks I unwound all the participants and contracts from the previous month and stopped. I stopped almost everything at that point. Read more>>
Autumn Hunnicutt
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on to date was my MFA thesis project titled Longing. I completed my Master of Fine Arts at Washington State University in 2022. When I got into the program, it was the height of the pandemic, and I was living in southern Colorado near my hometown. Moving across the country during that time was especially difficult, not only because of the restrictions and fear that came along with 2020 but because I was worried how my family would fare the uncertainty. I moved to Washington alone, only to attend classes via Zoom from my apartment. I was allowed on campus to work in my studio but it was overall a super lonely time. The first year of graduate school was emotionally tough for me but eventually Covid restrictions were lifted, classes reconvened in person, and I made some amazing friends. Read more>>
Lexi Jones
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on started out as a simple Audio Recording for a woman’s book. Nicole Beverly, in her book “Finding Nicole”, shares her journey from domestic violence victim to survivor. I worked on the project first as a studio assistant, helping my manager Jaunty Meek produce Nicole’s audiobook. But from our first meeting, I was so inspired by Nicole Beverly. She is such a gentle, strong, kind woman who went through a terrifying struggle and now fights for other women out there going through the same thing. In the back of her book, she has a poem that she wrote. I am a singer/songwriter by trade and I was so inspired by her and her story, I took her poem lyrics and turned it into a song. I called it “Finding Me”. I only did it as a gift to her and to let her know how amazed I was by her. Luckily, she loved the song so much. She first invited me to sing the song at one of her non-profit’s galas. Nicole is the Founder and President of The ENOUGH Initiative Domestic Violence Prevention Organization. Read more>>
Cyra Aggarwal
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is The Literary Vault Book Box, which grew out of my blog, The Literary Vault. Originally, I started the blog as a way to share my love of books, conduct interviews with authors, and inspire other young readers and writers. As The Literary Vault grew, I felt a strong desire to create an even more personal, tangible connection with readers — something that could bring stories directly into people’s lives. That’s how The Literary Vault Book Box was born. This subscription box allows me to handpick books and unique items that enhance the reading experience and bring each story to life. I carefully curate every box to ensure it reflects themes and messages that resonate with young readers, making the literature more accessible and engaging. Additionally, I’m committed to donating a portion of the proceeds to nonprofits that support literacy and education, blending my love of literature with my passion for creating positive change in the community. Read more>>
Erik Sandgren
The curator at Maryhill Museum in Washington reached out to me about a year and a half ago with a special invitation to contribute to an exhibit that celebrates the iconic Columbia River. Offering both a historical and a contemporary lens, the exhibition is titled, The Columbia River: Wallula to the Sea. Sixteen on-site paintings were selected plus a big one summarizing that stretch of the Columbia River in a single composition entitled Wallula to the Sea. Across four panels Wallula to the Sea evokes a range of geology, ecosystems, and cultural histories. Hung next to each other, the panels are at once discrete and integrated. They grew out of the year of onsite painting that deepened my feel for the Big River. My experience outdoors demanded a synthesis of multiple views and multiple vantage points; both jumps and transitions as the eye explores its spaces. I am grateful for the generosity and imagination of the curator who stimulated unexpected and creative responses to the exhibition concept. Read more>>
Bryce Dressler
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is Batterie, an independent film about the world of drum corps. Growing up, I was heavily involved in the musical arts and fascinated by the drum corps community’s intensity, dedication, and camaraderie. I wanted to showcase the competitive atmosphere and the personal stories of resilience, family, and growth that make these performers stand out. It continues to drive Aaron Mills, the project’s creator, to shine a light on this group in particular. Batterie started as a passion project but quickly evolved into a community-driven endeavor. Through our partnership with Seed&Spark, we’re inviting drum corps fans and indie film supporters to help us bring this vision to life. Each donation and share brings us closer to representing this world authentically on screen. We’ve set a fundraising goal of $18,000, allowing us to fully develop a short film that could grow into a whole series. Read more>>
Nora Benjamin
The most meaningful project I have worked on is my current body of work titled “Terms & Conditions.” “Terms & Conditions” is a series of photographs and collages that interpret the relationship between social media use, the negative implications of excessive e-consumerism in beauty markets, and the Internet’s obsession with the pursuit of beauty. Through this series, I am reflecting on the continuous trend cycle that colored my early online experiences and its looming presence in the contemporary social media landscape. By photographing and collaging my own beauty products, I am identifying myself as an active participant in the mania of trend-following. Thus, “Terms & Conditions” functions as the self-reflective examination of an insider and not a detached critical response. Through the continuation of this work, I have been able to reflect on how I view and think about my body, and this reflection has led me to realize that many of the thoughts I have regarding my body are not my own, but rather are influenced by the media I see online on a daily basis. I have also been able to connect with people across different ages who share similar experiences with targeted media. Read more>>
Banafsheh Sayyad
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my dance piece, Iran, My Mother. I created this piece in response to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran, which arose after the tragic death of Mahsa Jina Amini, a 22-year-old woman killed by the Iranian regime in late 2022 for not “properly” wearing her hijab. Mahsa’s death sparked an outpouring of protests, with many courageous young people risking–and ultimately losing–their lives in the pursuit of justice and freedom for all. Iran, My Mother is a tribute to these fallen heroes, their grieving mothers, and to Iran itself, a homeland mourning the loss of her children. This piece is danced from the perspective of these young lives, conveying their undying love for their mothers and their country. I’ve had the honor of performing this work across the U.S. at rallies dedicated to freedom and regime change in Iran. Read more>>
Krishna Ward
On a lark, I started writing a short screenplay because I saw a Facebook post. It was for the Rocket City Short Film Festival of 2023. The submission deadline was approaching and I was determined to turn something in. So I started writing The Art of a Lie. It’s a simple love story about enduring love under the most trying of circumstances. The inspiration for this story was my in-laws. Their love and dedication for each definitely pointed the way for me. I had never really written anything before so I wasn’t expecting to win or to even place. But my little short won second place at Rocket City and 5th at Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham. HAG Productions produced and filmed my short screen play. We did it earlier this year in January. I am so grateful for the work the entire cast and crew put in. That was so powerful for me – to see how so many people brought life to my words. The project is now in post-production. I hope to see it by the end of the year. Read more>>
Jon Millsap
My first album “Premeditated.” This album is comprised of 8 acoustic instrumental songs that encapsulated my sound as an artist at the time . Before deciding to complete this, in July 2018, I had attended a weekend long guitar retreat ran by the world renowned guitarist, Andy McKee. I got to perform a few of my songs in front of an audience including Don Ross, Callum Graham, and Eric Johnson! (All legends in the guitar community ). They each gave me kind words about my music. Feeling validated, I then had the confidence and drive to actually make an album representing all the work I had put into my craft as a finger-style guitarist. For months I spent late nights in a cold and quiet garage recording until I finally was able to release “Premeditated” on Dec 7th 2019. Read more>>
Bofan Zhang
I recently produced a vertical mobisode series shot entirely on iPhones—a unique experience that pushed both my creativity and technical skills. This show, a soap opera series designed specifically for mobile-first audiences, so it required us to rethink traditional storytelling techniques to fit the vertical format while keeping the narrative engaging. The concept was born from a desire to connect with viewers in a more intimate, relatable way. Filming on iPhones allowed us to be agile, capturing spontaneous, close-up moments that feel personal to the audience. Using mobile devices also brought a sense of accessibility to the production, and we were thrilled with the final image quality. In fact, most viewers wouldn’t be able to tell it was filmed on an iPhone versus a professional camera—and we didn’t even use external lenses. Read more>>
Neha S
The most meaningful project I have taken on as an artist was my transition into turning myself into a “full time fundraiser.” I resisted turning my hobby into a business because I did not want to be forced to “have to” do my art for the sake of turning a profit. On the other hand, I had many friends and acquaintances interested in my work — but expected me to put in hours and hours into pieces for them, for free. As a happy medium, I decided to list selected pieces of mine on a website, and I donate 100% of my profits. Since starting this venture in 2020, I have raised over $21,000 to date for various causes. Read more>>
Kelsey Chen
I’ve always loved writing and felt a natural passion for it, but I never truly believed I could become a children’s book author and illustrator. The idea first came up thanks to my cousin, who suggested, ‘Hey, you should write a book.’ I immediately brushed it off, thinking, ‘No way—writing children’s books is way too hard!’ In late 2021, my life took a heartbreaking turn when I lost my third child due to a near-fatal miscarriage. The grief was overwhelming, and I found myself haunted by endless ‘what ifs’ and questions of ‘What could I have done differently?’ Then, in March 2022, I found out I was expecting again—this time with twins. My heart was so full, and while their arrival brought immense joy, I still felt the grief of the child I had lost. With the twins, I now have four beautiful children, yet I often think, ‘If not for that loss, I would have five.’ Read more>>
Mason Nozik
Every album has it’s own timeline, with highs and lows, but when I finally released ‘Proper Antidotes’ in December of 2023 I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Songwriting has become more difficult as I’ve gotten older, so as I pieced together my last album throughout the better part of three years, it attached itself to me in a way that previous projects hadn’t. There were moments I thought it might never be finished, or that it may be the last thing I’d ever record. However, those 10 songs became an outlet for my insecurities about my relationship to music, how my priorities have shifted throughout the last decade, and how anxiety creeps in to different aspects of my life. I found that the frustration and difficulties I faced during the making of the album were driving the themes and narrative of everything inside of it. All of that intertwined with what I consider my most mature and impactful instrumentation, production, and mixing I’ve ever done makes this project my proudest achievement. It was well worth the struggle, and I hope that others might find joy and meaning in it as well. Read more>>
Tim Brandt
“There is 5 to 6 More of Us” is one of my most significant works, encapsulating the core themes that drive my practice. This life-sized installation features two full-scale figures crafted from silicone and dressed in my own everyday clothing. Each figure represents a blend of identities; one has facial features subtly altered to appear more European, while the other leans toward Asian characteristics. These nuanced shifts are inspired by my own parents, one of whom is Chinese and the other German. Through this piece, I invite the viewer to reflect on the ways that facial features influence one’s sense of identity and affect how others perceive and categorize us within society. Read more>>
Marina Cole
That’s a tough question. But if I had to choose, I would say that my most meaningful project, so far, was my first band photoshoot. I had been working with the band, Speak Easy, for around a year before we did the shoot, so I had gotten to know them and felt like I could execute their vision. It was the first time that I had taken on such a large project, so at first I was slightly apprehensive. All of my nerves toward the shoot completely vanished once we got to the first location. We all worked together so seamlessly, and had the best time collaborating on new ideas in the moment. It was truly one of the best shoots I’ve ever had the privilege to do, and made my connection with the band even better than it already was. Read more>>
Reuben Quansah
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is my ongoing series titled Unspoken Bonds, which explores African family relationships, particularly the complex, often unspoken bond between fathers and sons. This project is deeply personal, rooted in my own life and experiences. Growing up, my relationship with my father was complicated. While I deeply admired him, we often clashed, especially around issues of identity, cultural expectations, and generational differences. In Ghanaian society, fatherhood comes with specific, unspoken expectations, and my father, like many others, adhered to them closely. For years, I struggled with my identity as an artist, often imitating others due to a lack of direction. This changed when I was prompted to reflect on fatherhood and not repeat what I didn’t like as a child through a deeper study of the Bible. The concept for Unspoken Bonds emerged during this period, where I was brought face-to-face with my own relationship with my father. I recognized where things had gone wrong between us and knew I wanted to make things right. This realization fueled my desire to document my journey toward healing and to create a pathway for others. Read more>>
Celeste Croteaux
The most meaningful series I have created is titled, “Liminal Sermons” which I completed in 2022. It is a series of 8 x 10 photographic prints of churches. I edited the photos to create a dream-like effect with low contrast and heavy saturation. It was my final project for art school, and working on both the photos and show set a key point in what subjects I want to focus on in my work. All my photographs were taken in rural Texas and New Mexico. I grew up in a highly urbanized, but conservative area in Dallas, Texas, but my mother grew up in rural America. My artwork focuses on rural America, how it is often overlooked, and the economic and social issues those areas often face. Read more>>
Simone
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has to be my upcoming EP, Trauma Bond. This project dives into themes that are deeply personal and universal at the same time, like navigating relationships, resilience, and the process of finding yourself again. The idea for Trauma Bond came to me during a period where I was balancing a lot—between work, the ups and downs of life, and my passion for music, it felt like I was constantly reflecting on how people and experiences shape us, for better or worse. In each song, I’ve tried to capture real moments and emotions, and the nuances of life, almost like chapters in a story. There’s a bit of vulnerability in putting out work that speaks to darker or heavier experiences, but I think it’s meaningful because it’s honest, and I know people out there will connect with it. To me, Trauma Bond represents growth and resilience, and sharing it feels like giving a piece of myself to listeners who might be going through similar things. Read more>>
Scotty Taylor
I guess the most meaningful project for me would be starting the YouTube Channel Flat Track Flashback. In the spring of 2020, my full time job become a hybrid of remote work and in-office work. When I would be working from home, I could digitize a lot of old footage from motorcycle racing that my dad and I had shot over the years. I knew we had a large collection of never before seen racing and wanted to be able to share that. What makes it meaningful has changed over the years. Initially it was a cool idea to give people some seriously “throw-back” racing to watch when no sporting events were taking place due to the pandemic, and also to protect the footage in case the original VHS or Hi-8 tapes were ever damaged. The reason that it is more meaningful now is that, for all the years my dad sacrificed going to races and filming my favorite riders for me, now I have the chance to honor him and showcase his footage. Read more>>
Jewan Goo
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is my current exploration of Unit 731, a covert biological and chemical warfare unit operated by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. This project holds deep significance for me, both personally and as a research-based photographer focused on uncovering obscured histories. Growing up in South Korea, I became aware of the many stories from the Japanese colonial period that had been distorted, erased, or simply never acknowledged. Unit 731, with its horrific experiments conducted on prisoners from China, Korea, Russia, and other nations, is one such hidden chapter, often avoided or sanitized in historical narratives. Read more>>
Aj Brown
which I released in January (2024) with A Producer Named 2. This album was the conclusion to a three album series stemming from Words of Wisdom, DIY Therapy & now THA. This music has been my outlet to all of the stress and pressure that comes from dealing with grief from several losses to include deaths, lost jobs, ended relationships and much more. All these while learning how to empower yourself in marriage, friendships, new career opportunities and understanding your adulthood journey. My favorite song from this album is ‘Jamal’, which is my middle name and this song is the personification of who I am, sonically and I just love how everything came together for this. In my opinion this is my best song to date and it just feels good that it came after releasing with a friend I’ve done work with for over 15 years. Read more>>
Chad Frey
I had my name and background music in a movie called Green Jello Suxx Live in 2016. It’s been released on VHS , DVD & Blu-ray. I appeared on a compilation album from Project Overdose called Kill Cancer Before It Kills Us in 2023 on bandcamp. All sales will go to help ease the burdens that cancer brings. I’m on the digital version of that album. I have been putting out my own albums for 20 years. Here’s how many releases I’ve done. Discography The Beginning Of Something Big (2004) Part 2 (2006) Marching On Your Parade (2008) Let’s Bomb The World (Tribute To Life,Sex & Death) (2009) Say It Again (2010) Begging For More (2010) Doutt And Out Rarities 2009-2010 (2011) Audiorape (2012) Open.Play.Rebel (2016) Is That The Way To Go? (2017) Some Beat old Check (Nubs Tribute) (2021) AI : Acapellas & Instrumentals (2023)
Yolanda Yang
“Itchy Grief” is a narrative & movement-based, participatory performance centered in commemoration and remembrance. It examines the tension between permanence and impermanence, reflecting on the erosion of identity over time. Engaging with the earth, the performance uses stencils on radical reading materials to inscribe letters to loved ones, symbolizing the fragility of personal and collective memory. Central to the work is the acknowledgment of grief and the importance of “holding” space for one another. The performance emphasizes communal healing by creating a shared space where “fragile monuments” emerge from everyday objects, universal childhood songs, and play. These fragile monuments serve as markers of collective care, inviting viewers to be present and attentive to themselves and each other, fostering deeper connections in a world where both identity and belonging are transient. Read more>>
Jayse Vegas
One of my most recent songs, IN THE DARK, is inspired by mental health awareness. This song is about finding yourself, finding hope, and finding out what’s really hidden in the shadows. There’s strength, there’s beauty, there’s power in our fears. This song is a reminder to everyone- even for myself- TO KEEP GOING. KEEP PUSHING THROUGH. Vulnerable lyrics over a festival beat. We are going to dance the pain away, and reignite the flames within our hearts. We are the lights we’re looking for. Trust me. It took a beautiful turn and evolved more into an inspirational with the remix, featuring Divine Rakym. https://song.link/us/i/1746144877 Read more>>
Chrissy T
On September 20, 2024, my mother’s heavenly birthday, I released my debut EP album, “Metamorphosis”. I’ve been a professional multi-creative and educator for well over a decade; I’ve performed in regional musical theater productions, became an in-demand singer for weddings & corporate gigs, dived into songwriting and performing on other artists’ projects, as well as teaching performing arts in schools and for arts organizations. However, I would often get asked when I’d put out my own music, and I never had a definite answer. Although I’ve been performing professionally for a long time, I had insecurities about my voice. Being a diverse vocalist with a background in many different genres caused me to question what my true voice sounded like, and therefore began a journey to discovering my own voice. Read more>>
Kendra Griffen
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on/for is being a member of the 501st. There’s a huge sense of accomplishment being able to get out into communities and raise money for charity as well as the community within the 501st. When I made my first costume for approval there were those in the legion who were ready to help with any questions I had and provided me with great resources to help get my costumes approved. Once each costume is finished there’s no greater joy than being able to look at a costume that you made and realize that you did that even with all the challenges and months it takes to build Read more>>
Xiaopeng Zhan
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on was the collaboration between Sprite and Haidilao. I was brought on for the post-production phase, and the whole experience gave me a fresh perspective on the power of visuals in connecting culture, food, and lifestyle. It felt particularly special because it combined two brands with a lot of cultural significance. Sprite has this playful, energetic feel, while Haidilao is all about community and shared experiences around food—especially in Chinese culture, where dining together is a big deal. The project’s concept was to create visuals that captured the spirit of both brands in a way that would resonate across cultures. Since I have a background in both photography and 3D design, I saw it as an opportunity to go beyond standard brand imagery and create something that truly felt immersive. I wanted the visuals to be vibrant and dynamic, something that would draw viewers in and make them feel like they could almost taste the food or feel the fizz of the Sprite. I spent hours experimenting with 3D models and AI-rendered elements, blending these with traditional photo edits to add depth and a hint of surrealism. Read more>>
Jess White
My third album– the first and only with a record label– started off as kind of being and exploratory project. I was using my laptop and recording in my dorm in college, like I still am, but I had almost zero experience in actually mixing things. Anyways, as I got through the third track of the album, which I am 90% sure is “stay here,” my father passed away. It kind of transformed the entire project for me, and the project became a semi-involuntary expression of the grief I was going through at the time. I was not sure what I was singing back then– I have a tendency to make things up when actually recording– but looking back, there was a lot of something really important in there to me. This weird, almost unintentional expression felt really incomplete to me, so I recorded “Second Guessed.” I don’t know. I have my issues with “the boundary” because it feels very strange, and sparse at times. Maybe a little drony or repetitive. But it is also an accurate reflection of that time in my life, and it sort-of spurred me to make something I thought could be better. Plus, it was in some ways for my father, and it helped me process that period in my thoughts. Read more>>
Snow Yunxue Fu
Veraverses is a multifaceted artwork that seamlessly merges the physical and digital realms, offering an immersive experience divided into two captivating parts. This unique collaboration showcases the visionary works of digital art pioneer Véra Molnar and work by contemporary artist Snow Yunxue Fu – artist and starring her digital human character DaughterICE in the Metaverse sculpture park. Veraverses serves as an ode to the past, a celebration of the present, and a glimpse into boundless future possibilities. The Veraverses project is a commissioned project for the Exhibition “A la recherche de Vera Molnar” dives into the practice of Vera Molnar, one of the pioneers of computer art, combined with the works of contemporary artists who have been inspired by her work. At the initiative of Josef Broich, in collaboration with stiftungkunstbonn and the BROICH Digital Art Foundation, this exhibition shows a combination of iconic works of Vera Molnar and 16 hommages by contemporary artists. Read more>>
Aquil Virani
It’s impossible to pick, but I’m happy to talk about two projects that come to mind. First, in 2018, while in Copenhagen, I worked with Trampoline House (or “Trampolinhuset”), an independent community centre that provides support for refugees and asylum seekers in Denmark. They asked me to run some artistic workshops that would create sandwich boards and posters for a petition campaign that supported the rights of asylum-seeking children. We crowdsourced slogans and photographs to inspire the material. For the second project that comes to mind, I collaborated with the ROM (formerly the Royal Ontario Museum) and curator Justin Jennings, gathering crowdsourced sticky notes from the #MyPandemicStory exhibition that featured handwritten responses to the prompt: “When things get better, I will…” I integrated hundreds of these sticky notes that shared anxieties, frustrations and hopes about early pandemic experiences. Read more>>