musician

Sheng-Ching Hsu is a violinist based in L.A. Finding a love for music from her parents, she was encouraged to follow the Arts and took up piano and violin lessons. Now, she is bringing her music all over the world! Hsu’s path didn’t come without obstacles. After 4 of her fingertips experienced nerve damage, she was forced to re-learn her craft – and with the shutdowns caused by the pandemic, lost her ability to express herself. She rediscovered her passion through a series of live shows called S-C Sidewalk Performances, and got back on track to giving back through art!  Hsu advises young artists to “stay positive and grateful, don’t forget to treat yourself with a piece of chocolate or any kind of comfort food once in a while!”  Read on to learn more about Sheng-Ching Hsu and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts! 

Yuka Tadano is a jazz artist based in NYC! Growing up in a musical family, she picked up the violin at the age of 6 and played duets with her twin sister. After rediscovering her love for music through the electric bass in high school, she went on to pursue music professionally and studied at the University of North Texas. Now, her resume boasts credits such as Smokey Joe's Cafe Revival at Stage 42, The Lightning Thief on Broadway, and Tony and The Kiki, and has played Shanghai Concert Hall with her band (YT little d). She’s now involved with Suffs, a new show to be produced at The Public theatre! Her biggest takeaway as an artist? Knowing one’s limits to avoid burnout, and to “work hard, [and] treat yourself lovely.” Tadano advises young artists to research and network with the people they admire by “[seeing] their shows… [introducing] themselves… [asking] them to meet for coffee… [and asking] specific questions.” Read on to learn more about what makes Yuka Tadano an Amazing Asian in the Arts! 

Rikki Lee is a rock guitarist based in London! With an “unfair advantage” of being born into a musical family, she picked up music at a young age. After graduating from the University of Westminster, she went on to perform on iTV’s Game of Talents, Later with Jools Holland with Priya Ragu, and Hillsong Carols at the Wembley Arena! Now, Lee is currently a permanent touring band member for Priya Ragu and Martin Smith, and a musical content creator on both YouTube and Instagram. Her biggest piece of advice to young artists? “Get used to showing your work to others on social media.” Read on to learn more about Rikki Lee and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts! 

Jinna Kim is an actress based in Charlotte, N.C – but that wasn’t her initial start in the Arts! Kim began as a classically trained violinist/violist before expanding her horizons to become a performer and studying at the University of Illinois and University of Virginia. Recently, she’s worked on her own short films, including Chinese Girl Wants Vote about suffragist Mabel Lee, which can be found in the Digital Public Library of America, as well as winning two local grants and earning eligibility for Screen Actors Guild membership! In addition to all of this, Kim developed mascot experience as - you guessed it - a dancing unicorn! Her advice to young artists is to stop counting rejections – as someone “rejected thousands of times… [she doesn’t] think about the odds” and welcomes each day as a new opportunity. Read on to learn more about Jinna Kim and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts! 

Mayu Isom is a member of the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet based in Texas! She first fell in love with music in elementary school on the flute -- after hearing her school’s top symphony perform Tchaikovksy’s 4th Symphony in F minor, she discovered an interest in the oboe that lead to her pursuing a career with it professionally (where she’s had the opportunity to perform the very solo that inspired her several times)! After attending Indiana University for her Bachelor’s, Rice University for her Master’s, and Boston University for her Performer’s Diploma, Isom won her place in the company of the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet! Offstage, she is “obsessed with all things culinary” -- cooking and baking provide her with opportunities to try new things and enjoy them with those she loves, and most recently, with an escape from the monotony of quarantine. Isom advises young artists to “have the confidence and willingness to take risks and make mistakes,” and to take chances on finding new opportunities, despite the fear of rejection, because each of those nos makes room for the door to open for a yes. Read on to learn more about Mayu Isom and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts! 

Mariko is a cellist based in fabulous Las Vegas! As a child, Mariko was inspired by a children’s book that featured a cello-playing bear, and asked her parents for lessons. At the age of 17, she made the decision to turn her passion into her career, pursued a degree from the Tokyo University of Arts, and made the shift to playing professionally. After performing as the first Japanese cellist in Cirque Du Soleil’s Michael Jackson Immortal Tour (with some members of MJ’s original band!), she made the decision to stay in the United States, and has since played for Madonna’s Madame X On Tour, a Prince tribute at the T-Mobile Arena, Cirque’s Zumanity, and the rock band STARSET, as well as created and released her own album entitled “Artemis”! Offstage, she’s found a passion for ballet barre conditioning, and supports Room to Read, “a nonprofit for children’s literacy and girls’ education across Asia and Africa.” Her advice for young artists? “Listen to your heart, follow your passion, and the results will follow you.” Read on to learn more about Mariko and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts! 

Sarah Di is a multidisciplinary artist based in Pittsburgh, PA. Initially, Di set out to become a dermatologist, but she discovered a love for filmmaking during her freshman year at Carnegie Mellon. Di has gone on to create an “sprawling interactive fiction game” and play the Chinese zither (guzheng) at Carnegie Hall, and is currently working on a documentary-inspired film centered around her relationship with Chinese-American food from the early 2000s to the present. She also recently won the Asian American Film Lab's 72 hour Film Shootout award for Outstanding Female Content Creator for her submission filmed entirely in her bedroom using nothing but her Panasonic DMC-ZS100 and an Amazon basics tripod! In the future, Di aims to produce her very own feature-length film! Aside from telling meaningful stories and practicing self care, she advises young artists to put together a portfolio, and emphasizes the importance of “[having] physical evidence of [their] work, no matter how small.” Read on to learn more about Sarah Di and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts! 

Casey Jo Ahn Robards is a professional collaborative pianist, conductor, vocal coach, and professor based in Champaign, Illinois. Her musical journey began at the age of 4 on a toy piano, and led to her first paid pianist job at church. From there, she began accompanying everything from solo competitions, choirs, school musicals, and local events, eventually going on to play for Broadway tours like Wicked and Beautiful! On top of all this, she holds 3 music degrees from the University of Illinois, where she now teaches! Her advice to young artists is simple: “work hard.” There are learning experiences all around, and it’s up to us to “seek new experiences and challenges that cause [us] to meet new people and develop more skills.” Read on to learn more about Casey Jo Ahn Robards and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts! 

Jenna Mee Dosch is a collaborative pianist based in New York. At just 3 years old, she began piano lessons that would later bring her to receive a BA in Piano Performance from Luther College. From there, she completed the Collaborative Piano Masters program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she embraced her love for musical theatre. Her favorite credits include Rock of Ages at McLeod Summer Playhouse, Next to Normal at CU Boulder, and The Last Five Years at ACT of CT -- all leading up to her playing with the North American tour of Broadway’s Frozen! When not performing, Dosch is an active member of MUSE (Musicians United for Social Equity) and Maestra (“a nonprofit that provides support, visibility, and community to the women and non-binary people in the musical theatre industry”). A huge self-care advocate, Dosch’s routine includes Korean skincare and meditation to reset her creative mindset. She advises young artists to “say yes, but also learn to say no,” and to ensure they have enough energy to take on a project before agreeing to prevent burnout. Read on to learn more about Jenna Mee Dosch and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts! 

Melissa Tong is a musician, yoga/AcroYoga teacher, and co-creator of “B Neutral” based in NYC. After moving to the city, she pushed through temp jobs until an old friend connected her with her first NYC opportunity. She’s played for Broadway (Ain’t Too Proud), String Quartet (Five for Fighting), the Met Gala (with Rhianna!), and for artists like Sara Bareilles, Riley Etheridge Jr., and performed with an artist who opened for Leon Russell! In addition to her artistry, Tong serves as a Broadway Ambassador with Broadway for Arts Education, which is currently working with children from India and Haiti, as well as a Teaching Artist with Buffalo String Works (a program that works with refugee communities). She’s also involved in the Youth Pride Chorus and Urban Assembly Programs in New York City, and supports Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (where her sister is the Associate Artistic Director), which is currently producing a project entitled "Unboxed," which was included in a piece called “Final Bow for Yellow Face” to acknowledge Asian stereotypes within the dance industry. She advises young artists to “stick with it… be someone with whom you want to work… [and] do [art] for the love!” Read on to learn more about Melissa Tong and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts! 

Kristy Choi is a filmmaker and writer based in Los Angeles. Initially a competitive pianist, Choi went on to fall in love with writing, and began to study screenplays to better her work. She picked up the fundamentals for filmmaking from the many projects she dedicated herself to, later going on to writing, directing, and producing her own film for the New Yorker (“Herselves”)! She finds collaboration with other professionals inspiring, particularly with non-binary, female, and POC creatives. Choi hopes to “write and direct [her] first narrative feature film” in the future, and to “further experiment with hybrid documentary techniques.” She advises young artists to practice self care and seek out a circle of fellow artists that will both encourage and celebrate their work, as well as adopting a growth mindset and a regular routine to practice their art. When she’s not working on a project, she enjoys hiking and karaoke, and lists whistling as a special skill! Read on to learn more about Kristy Choi and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!

Announcing the winner of our special 2021 Cre8sian Project Scholarship for Graduating Seniors!

 

 

Jenelle Catherina is an actor, singer and musician based in Las Vegas, Nevada. She stays very active in the local theater scene, having worked on productions with Super Summer Theater, Las Vegas Little Theatre, Vegas City Opera, and UNLV Opera. Her favorite credits include recognition as a Top 3 Finalist in BroadwayWorld’s Next on Stage; being part of the Swing It! Girls; and her role as Extraordinary Girl in Majestic Repertory Theatre’s production of Green Day’s American Idiot. Jenelle is currently in her last semester at University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she is completing her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Bachelor of Science in Human Services. Her future plans and dreams include being part of a Broadway production, leading a neo-soul/jazz group, traveling the world while making music and honing her musical instrument playing skills, which include focus on the piano, guitar, violin, and cello. The talented and busy artist also has made time to give back to the community. Jenelle recently was an intern at the Garden Foundation, an educational program for special needs adults. Read on to learn more about Jenelle and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!

Angela Chan is a multi-instrumentalist based in Leeds, United Kingdom! Angela has toured internationally with various bands, and one of her bands, Cosmos, just released their debut album “Dream Harder!” Her musical prowess has spanned from classical to circus rave bands to theatre, film, and art installations! In addition, one of her bands, Lanterns on the Lake, has been shortlisted for a Mercury Prize! Keep reading to find out what makes Angela an Amazing Asian in the Arts!

Sonia Barcelona is a musician and photographer based in Las Vegas! She started her career by performing at open mics, which eventually led to performing and creating full time as a rock...