In Progress artist since 2007.
1. Considering all your experience with In Progress, what is one achievement that you personally are most proud of? Why is this achievement important to you? What does it represent?: As I reflect on my experience with In Progress, I realized everything that happened was something to be proud of. For the very first time in my life, I was given the opportunity to express my creativity as an artist and human being and thus embarked on the journey to discover who I am.
Through this opportunity, I soon became fascinated with music creation and production. I spent countless hours listening to different types of music, learned recording & production fundamentals, and watched hundreds of beat making YouTube videos. And that really helped hone in my artistic craft.
I am also grateful to be given the opportunity to help structure the music program, build a recording studio, and learned how to be an instructor, all at the age of 15-18 years old. At that age, I thought a lot about the longevity of the music program and introduced In Progress to my peers who also helped influenced the music program that exists today.
2. What did it take for us at In Progress to achieve this accomplishment? What strengths do we have that helped us succeed?: In Progress focuses on building a sense of belonging & trust; engages in meaningful conversations, and mentor every one of their artists; these are the strengths that helped In Progress succeed.
3. What do you think makes In Progress unique? What 2-3 things are at our very core that make us stand out from other arts programs or youth development programs?: In Progress is unique in that:
1. their programs are free to the community and they open their doors to artists of all experience background.
2. they are focused in preserving and sharing stories from the Latin, African American, Hmong, and Native community.
4. As you think about In Progress, what do you value most? What keeps you engaged here?: Interestingly, as you watch, read, and listen to the stories told by the different communities that In Progress works with, and you will notice that there is a thread and a common value. And that is to use digital media as a means to preserve and retell our stories. I find that intriguing and it keeps me engage with the work that In Progress does with the community.