Michaela Ternasky-Holland is a compassionate storyteller, creative strategist, collaborative consultant and engaging public speaker based in New York City. After graduating from UC Irvine, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the film and journalism industry. It was here she realized a more immersive and interactive journalism career is what she desired, and her true exploration of virtual reality began. She was hired by TIME as a LIFE VR intern, which moved her to New York, and ever since she has been pursuing a dance/performance career and working as a creator and producer in emerging technology. One of her favorite works, FACE TO FACE, tells a riveting story through set design, 360° video technology, 3D printing, and escape room methodology during an hour long, three act experience. The project was funded by the Arts Council of England to premiere at Sheffield International Documentary Festival in 2018. Read on to learn more about Michaela and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Melissa Akiko Slaughter is a Blogger, YouTube Correspondent and Podcast Host/Producer, based in Brooklyn, NY. She has a theatre degree from the former Santa Fe University of Art and Design in New Mexico, working with Tony-award winning director Jon Jory, but has since transitioned her career to focus on the digital arts. Melissa is passionate about Asian American representation in TV and film and, as a result, provides regular commentary and insights on the topic for her movie review podcast, We’re Not All Ninjas. The popular online show was a Top 5 Finalist at the 2018 WNYC Werk It! Festival, an event focused on empowering women and others in the digital media landscape. Along with hosting, Melissa loves to blog for Nerdophiles, The Nerds of ColorandHapa Magin addition to working as a producer for Pineapple Street Studios, a podcast studio who’s work includes multi-episode narratives, branded podcasts, talk shows, investigative journalism and more. Read on to learn more about Melissa and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Naomi Takata Shepherd, an artist and creator based in San Jose, CA, is the founder of 6 Degrees of Hapa, an inclusive online and in-person platform that celebrates mixed cultures through art, apparel, storytelling and community building. Her goal in creating the brand was to celebrate hapas as individuals, along with the family, friends and communities that hold them up and make them who they are. Through pop-up activations at festivals, #ShareYourHapaStory blog posts that feature amazing hapas, stories about their experiences and identity; food and cultural events and more, Shepherd has continued to champion the culture through thought, word and action. On the 6 Degrees of Hapa Threadless Artist Shop, a limited edition “Mixed Communities for Black Lives” t-shirt is available with 100% of proceeds being donated to Black Lives Matter. Along with her successful business, Shepherd is passionate about writing, designing and creating art and films with a focus on intersectional and inclusive narratives. Read on to learn more about Naomi and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Bri Ng Schwartz is a facilitator and curator of artistic community engagement programming based in Brooklyn, NY. She is passionate about creating programs, performances and digital spaces for and by intersectional communities, working with groups such as the National Queer Theater, New York Theater Workshop and Theater Communications Group. Her future goals include getting a PhD in Performance Studies and teaching university-level classes in Applied Theater. Read on to learn more about Bri and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Rebecca lee Lerman is an actor, singer, dancer, and writer based in New York City! She is also a staff writer for Hapamag, an online magazine for mixed race Asian, and wrote an original musical called Her Hotel which won Jury Selection Best Production at the Women’s Theatre (Virtual) Fringe Festival this summer! Keep reading to find out more about what makes Rebecca an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Lauren Lola is a writer based in the Bay Area! She is both an author and a writer for stage and screen. One of her screenplays, “Breath of Writing” was produced earlier this year in collaboration with Asiatic Productions! She also wrote and published two novels, the first of which was released while she was still in college! Keep reading to find out more about what makes Lauren an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Alex Chester is an actor, model, writer, and producer based in New York City!! She has appeared in major magazines as a model, and went on to become the face that introduced the first Chevy Geo commercial! She has also been in various TV shows such as The Closer, The Good Wife, and New Amsterdam. She has also had a successful career in theater, landing roles in How The Grinch Stole Christmas, A Chorus Line, and was also the first Asian American to play Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre in Fire Island Pines Arts Project’s production of The 25th Annual County Spelling Bee! With all of these credits in the business, Alex’s prize project is Hapa Mag, a magazine for mixed race Asians that she is the creator and Editor-In Chief. Keep reading to find out more about what makes Alex an Amazing Asian in the Arts!