Meet Chris Fong Chew | Composer, Producer, Writer, and Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Fong Chew and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
There are many sources of happiness, but for myself, I find I am most content when I am able to know that any work that I am doing is able to have a positive impact for others. When I am able to hold space for others to be themselves, to grow, to learn, and develop. I believe that in anything that I do, it’s important to build a healthy and positive environment for those around me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As an composer, producer, writer and activist, I am interested in the intersection of different artistic mediums to tell a compelling narrative or to push people to think deeply. Having completed my undergrad in music, and going on to pursue a masters in creative writing, I am interested in exploring the ways the two creative mediums come together. Storytelling and narrative is deeply tied together in almost everything we do.

Over the past year, I have worked on various multimedia projects combining music and the performance of spoken word poetry. Learning to combine spoken word with music was a culmination of many different individual skills coming together.

Having worked as a staff writer for Dear Asian Youth since 2020, I was given a space to develop and grow my individual style and voice. Writing bi-weekly articles on the Asian experience, I was able to process and articulate my identity and experiences as third-generation Asian American. About a year ago, I began performing regularly at a poetry open mic, where I gained skills in writing, speaking and much more. I was also fortunate to find mentors at my college who helped me develop and refine my writing and public speaking, while also finding peers who supported my artistry and journey.

Earlier this year I released a few professionally recorded videos of myself performing poetry and later on, directed and put on two more performances featuring music and poetry together. I had to overcome a lot of anxiety on creating something that I had not seen many people do before. Creating art can be terrifying, particularly when the words, and notes you write hold a special meaning. I am thankful to have found many mentors that have supported my artistic journey in many different ways and have given me the courage to put myself out there and create.

In putting myself and my art out there, I realize the power of creation. Being able to express myself artistically empowers others to do the same. I stand in the footsteps of those that have paved the way artistically for myself to create today.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have spent the past three years in a young non-profit called Dear Asian Youth. We recently celebrated our third birthday. Dear Asian Youth is an is an organization of Asian youth dedicated to uplifting and promoting the Asian community through intersectional activism. A lot of the work we do is dedicated to expanding the narrative of youth and Asian Advocacy. We do this through creating platforms and spaces for conversation, discourse and community building. I have spent a lot of time in the literature department working with writers, developing their stories while also developing myself as a writer. I am deeply thankful to the space the organization has created and the opportunities I have had to create a positive impact and be in community with fellow youth.

Website: https://www.chrisfongchew.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itschewwwy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisfongchew/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chrisfongchew

Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/ya___z/ https://www.instagram.com/oniepotprime/