MUSIC PROJECTS
My Life Goals as a Musician!
In August 2022, I scripted, filmed, edited, & wove my entire musical journey together! I did it as a submission for the Pacific Bridge Arts Scholarship, which is a foundation by the same name, dedicated to uplifting Asian American artists & change-makers!
Video is above
I’m proud of how it turned out š
Rock Against Hate
In April 2022, I’m a part of the Rock Against Hate put on by the Slants Foundation.
We’re a collective of Asian American artists, creators, and performers who will be raising funds & awareness for the #StopAAPIHateĀ organization. Itās happening onĀ April 28th at 5:30pm pacific.
I’ll be performing spoken word poetry as well as getting interviewed on my art & involvement in our movement.Ā
Read more about all of us in a press article here.
Charity Livestream
In December of 2020, I organized a charity live stream and raised $1,500 with fellow Asian American musicians and artists to support the East West Players.
As I recently began my journey as an artist myself, I realized that I may have found my path sooner had it been for wonderful programs like East West Players having more influence and support, so, I decided to pay it forward!
The East West Players is committed to raising the visibility of the Asian American experience by creating world-class theatrical productions, developing artists of color, and providing impactful youth education programs.
Personally, I have a strong connection to them because their alumni and founders have influenced my childhood! From Avatar: The Last Airbender, Zuko (Dante Basco) is an alumnus of EWP, and Uncle Iroh (Mako Iwamatsu) was a founding member!
Songwriting
I completed a daily songwriting challenge where I write a completely new song every day for an hour. I did 258 consecutive days in total.
What was my biggest lesson?
Daily practice and discipline were the most valuable things for me to improve in my lyrics, rhymes, chord progressions, and melodies. I started from 30-second songs I could barely fit 3 chords, to songs where I have created my own verse, chorus, bridge, melody, harmonies, and arrangements. My biggest lesson: I can have faith in myself that I will improve if I just show up every day.
Why did I stop?
I chose to put down my pen for this specific challenge the second week of February 2021. The short answer for why I stopped was because the practice served its purpose: it got me working on a daily creative habit that carries on to this day. The real (and most prodigious) benefit of practicing for 258 days straight wasn’t the songs I made, it was the person I became from holding myself to a high standard. In my personal 10,000 hours, I know that I have put in at least 500 more into being a creator and into being a more disciplined person. That to me is invaluable.
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Music Production
As a Music major, I learn constantly from the enriching faculty and collaborative student body at UCSD. Notable influences include graduate student-professor Nakul Tiruviluamala and electronic music producer King Britt. From the classes, discussions, and events I have both hosted with and been a part of with them, I have expanded my knowledge of music theory, Afrofuturism history, and music production.