Artistic and creative careers are among the most rewarding, but they also come with unique challenges. We asked some of the city’s best creatives to tell us why they choose to pursue a creative career.

Melle Phillips | Storyteller

I chose this career because I wanted to tell stories I had yet to see. I consider myself an all around storyteller, and use whatever modality I can. As a child, I enjoyed the studio musicals of the early and midcentury, the glamour, and long form narrative work. Read more>>

Brandon Valerino | Musician & Music Educator

Music has always been a part of my soul since childhood when I started learning the saxophone at age 9. When I had to think about what I wanted to do with my life, I decided I wanted to do something I loved, rather than trying to make as much money as possible. Read more>>

Caroline Henry | Actor

It’s funny because so many people when asked why they wanted to pursue a career in acting can cite a movie or play: they were so impacted by an actor’s performance that they knew they wanted to be an actor. Read more>>

Arın Aykut | Composer

I can start by saying I was born into it, as my father is an opera singer, and my mother is a painter/technical draftswoman. When I was born, my family recorded a video at the hospital, and my father said, “Look at those hands, they’re the hands of a pianist,” upon seeing my hands. Now let me ask you; what else could I be but this? Read more>>

Olivia Yin | Game Designer & XR Developer

My journey into a creative career began in childhood, influenced by traveling with my architect parents. Experiencing a diverse range of architecture sparked my interest in spatial design, guiding me to study architecture. Concurrently, my passion for video games intertwined with my studies, captivating me with the endless possibilities of creating virtual spaces unrestricted by physical boundaries. Read more>>

Viviane Angélique Ortega | Actor

First of all, I feel incredibly privileged and grateful to have been able to pursue an artistic career with a level of comfort that some other artists definitely do not have. Although my family have shown some scepticism about my desire to pursue acting, they have been very supportive and without their support, it would have been a lot harder for me to be where I am now. Read more>>

Thomas Zenteno | Visual Development Artist

I chose to become a Visual Development Artist because Animation is a medium in which every asset is created and designed to tell a story that can be hyper real. Animation takes the everyday, observes it and crafts the accents, intensity and essence into something that can communicate an idea to someone else. Read more>>

Elle Shimada | Musician / Event curator

Music chose me. I tried to escape, but it always came back to me. At 15, I left the Tokyo project housing I grew up in for Australia with little English. Music became my language, my tool for connection. It wasn’t a career until my mid-twenties. It helped me navigate emotions, communicate, and connect. Read more>>

Kalmplex | Legend. Archive Master. Kreative Warrior

I’ve been drawing and painting since I’ve been 4 so it’s just been my God given talent to be a creator. I’ve also been independently documenting art and culture in Toronto for over 20 years because I’m a part of the culture and I want to see us as artist shine bright. Read more>>

Jiggly Senpai | Designer, Host & Entertainer

I pursued an artistic career because being creative is something that helps me breathe. I express the best parts of who I am when I am able to bring ideas to life. Its truly an amazing thing, to imagine something and then bring that into existence. Read more>>

Enzo Wyatt | Storyboard Artist

At its core, I think it’s really about the camaraderie and community you get working with other creative people. Good storytelling has this very unique way of emotionally connecting with others, and one of my favorite things about being an artist is sharing my characters and ideas with other artists, Read more>>

Shandy Pan | Illustrator

I have always had the habit of noticing the small things and focusing intensely on them. Some people around me view this as a distraction, but I see it as a strength that allows me to appreciate aspects of the world that others may overlook. This habit has become most crucial in shaping my artistic career, as I get multiple sources of inspiration. Read more>>

Banggz | Rap-Fusion Artist

Like many humans, I wanted to be heard. Music allowed me to express my thoughts and manifest my imagination quickly. Over time, I found purpose in providing my audience with an experience through my music. The world is ugly enough without the excitement that my creative outlet provides. Read more>>

Ximena Rendon | Artist

I found art to be the perfect coping mechanism. I was very shy and anxious child and unfortunately for me, in school we were constantly made to participate in plays, and events that required some type of performance. At first, I would pretend to be deathly sick the night before the event. Read more>>

Sean Crampton | Director / Writer / Producer / Actor

It was the only thing I kept circling back to since the age of 5. Started from trauma perhaps but resulting in divinity. That type of sh*t. Read more>>

Guilhem Fourty | Drummer & Producer

I chose an artistic career without asking me too many questions. The drums was an evident choice and so I decided that this will be my own way of expression. I just loved the way it brings people together by playing rhythms as a universal language. Read more>>

Derek Jolley | Musician & Philanthropist

I’ve been a musician since I could remember. From the time I was like 4 years old, all I wanted to do was play piano and sing along to the radio in my parents’ car. As I grew up I really tried my best to play in every ensemble, every little band, every chance I had. I’m lucky to be surrounded by some of the greatest people in the world, most of whom I still play music with to this day. Read more>>

Sche-Hao Thomas” Wang | Director & Editor”

Films and animations have played an important role in my upbringing. In addition to reading books, I spent a lot of time in front of the TV at home, watching videotapes and, later, DVDs that I collected. I always found myself inspired and moved by the films I watched.  Read more>>

Rafael A. López | Filmmaker

Younger, I dreamt about becoming a comic book artist. Capturing a story within frames, and the freedom to let one’s imagination run loose, trying to make sense of the world around felt oddly appealing. However, I quickly realized the meticulous nature of the work and the infinite amount of patience it required to finish only one board. Read more>> 

Anna Mariko Seymour | Composer, Producer, Performer, Music Instructor

Pursuing music has never felt like a hard choice to make. It’s the only career I’ve ever wanted to pursue. I don’t have a plan B doesn’t involve music! Read more>>

Robin MacDonald-Foley | Visual Artist

I’ve always been artistic. After junior high I enrolled in Commercial/Graphic Arts at the Vocational Technical School in my hometown of Quincy, Massachusetts. After completing the high school program, I also obtained a postgraduate diploma, and remained in touch with my art teacher/mentor, Sol Levenson, until his passing at age ninety-five. Read more>>

Mercedes Garcia | Filmmaker

As a kid, I was blessed to be gifted in both the humanities and sciences. I’m naturally curious and I think I just wanted (and I think still want to) understand how the world works. I started writing chapter books at the age of 6 and kind of always knew I was a writer. Read more>>

Shantishree Patil | Architectural Designer | Production Designer | Performer |

My fascination with art and creativity began with nature. My adventure began in my childhood. While swimming with my grandfather on his farm in the countryside, a vibrant fish approached, startling me. I gasped for help. Within two minutes, he waved it away. Read more>>

Siarra T. Mong | Actress

I pursued an artistic and creative career because storytelling is ingrained in my DNA. I grew up surrounded by a rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and stories. From an early age, I was captivated by the power of storytelling to connect people, bridge divides, and inspire change. Read more>>

GÄDES | Music Artist

I’ve always been a creative since I could remember. Rather it be drawing, painting, dancing etc. Music and modeling are just the two I’ve decided to put all of my focus into right now. Music has been my antidote, my inspiration, where I found freedom when I felt trapped, and has saved my life on many occasions so now I’m ready to give that same energy back to those who need it through my art. Read more>>

Abdulrahman “Koosh” Alkhawashki | Bassist & Producer, Riyadh/LA

There’s something about the spirit that brings musicians together as members of the same community who have gone through or are going through similar struggles and existential challenges. Music is a spiritual experience, the best-proven antidepressant, and the closest manifestation of magic. Read more>>