There are so many factors that affect how our lives turn out, but one of the most interesting is how our backgrounds give us unique strengths and perspectives that affect who we are as adults. We asked rising stars from the community to tell us about their background and upbringing and how they feel it’s impacted who they are today.

Naomi Nakanishi | Brooklyn-based pianist, composer, improviser and educator

I’m from Las Vegas, NV — which usually creates one of two reactions: “VEGAS! You’re the first person I’ve met from there!” or “I have distant cousin that lives in Henderson, that’s Vegas right?” Read more>>

Nick Pensa | Director | Editor | Business Owner

I grew up in Mays Landing, New Jersey and moved to Vineland when I was 18. I’m an only child and was raised by a single mother for most of my life. Seeing her work tirelessly to support the family led me to uphold the same work ethic and do everything in my power to make those around me proud. Read more>> 

Yuwei Hu | Costume Designer

From my earliest memories, my grandmother has been a constant presence, sewing and crafting fabric creations with her vintage sewing machine and handknitting. I would often spend hours by her side, carefully observing her every movement with threads and needles.  Read more>>

Nacho Colombini | Musician, Drummer, Producer

I was born in Neuquén, a city located in Patagonia, in the south of Argentina. My upbringing took place in a town called Piedra del Águila, with just 3500 inhabitants. From a young age, I had the privilege of receiving education, which I consider fundamental as it opened my mind and helped me think. Read more>>

Zikora Zane Paully-Umeh | Investor & Mentor

I am from Obodoukwu, Ideato-North LGA, Imo State, Nigeria. I consider it the most fortuitous aspect of my life. My upbringing there laid a profound and enduring foundation for me, fostering values of resilience, hard work, and community engagement. Read more>>

Lydia Muir | Producer & Showrunner

I’m half English, half Taiwanese and grew up in multiple countries around the world. I was raised in a multicultural and bilingual household and was constantly exposed to people from different backgrounds and cultures. Read more>> 

Karen Gibson | Furniture Refinisher & Artist

Growing up in the 80’s, in a suburb of Chicago, I enjoyed a certain level of independence and autonomy. I had 5 siblings and we quickly learned to do most of what we wanted or needed for ourselves.  Read more>>

Jessica Qinyue Luo | Film Director & Producer

I’m Jessica Qinyue Luo, an award-winning female director and producer, currently in the final stages of completing my MFA in directing at Loyola Marymount University. My journey into filmmaking has been profoundly shaped by my upbringing and background, which have instilled in me a deep appreciation for human emotions and social dynamics. Read more>>

Alexandra Carter | Visual Artist

I grew up on my family’s cranberry farm in South Shore Massachusetts, the birthplace of cranberries, where the first wild vines were discovered centuries ago. This upbringing was particularly unique in how it connected me to the land. Our lives revolved around seasons of growth, harvest, and frost. Read more>>

Choni Ribeiro | Contemporary Artist

I’ve always had a thing for art, way before I was a little kid. My mother and aunt always took me to a lot of museums and other art-related venues/shows. I think that instilled in me something about the arts. Since I was in school, I always doodled on the sides of the notebooks, it was my way of being focused in the class (it obviously annoyed a lot of teachers). Read more>> 

Irene Bremis | Standup Comedian/Writer

Growing up in a BIG immigrant Greek family shaped who I am today. I come from a hilarious family, and as children, my sister and my cousins would all imitate our aunts and uncles with Greek accents and break into fits of laughter. We often threw talent shows and loved pulling pranks. Read more>>  

Jason Barican | Music Producer / Artist

I was born in Naples, FL, but spent most of my childhood in the Philippines and moved back here in Florida when I was around 15. Having experienced both cultures gave me the opportunity to learn various values unique to each, which also ended up influencing the music I make now having both elements common pop sounds, as well as some OPM (Original Pilipino Music) traits. Read more>>

Robin Embry | Independent Artist & Tattoo Artist

I was born and raised in a very small rural town in Illinois. I grew up often being alienated and misunderstood. I am multiracial, and the small rural environment I was brought up in created many challenges for me. Read more>>

Taku Kondo | Sushi Chef, Fisherman/Forager, and YouTuber

I was born in Osaka, Japan. As many would consider the street food capital of Japan. I moved to the US in 2000 with my mother and two brothers. Our dad stayed in Japan to support us while we got settled in. Read more>>

Laavanya Hunt | Production Coordinator & Producer

I was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, into a Sri Lankan/Tamil family, and spent my formative years there in a multicultural environment, surrounded by my large family. At the age of 8, my father’s job took us to Dubai, UAE, where I became immersed in the expatriate community and attended international schools, exposing me to a diverse array of cultures, languages, and people from around the globe. Read more>> 

Chen Tang | FX Artist/Technical Director

The journey into the world of CG started during my undergraduate years as a Biology major. Despite this, my childhood passion for painting drew me towards digital art, particularly in 3D. Exposure to CG through elective classes and captivating animated movies like “Zootopia” and “Coco” intensified my interest. Read more>>

Sarah Tromley | Singer Songwriter

Hi!! I’m a Pacific Northwest native. I grew up on Lake Oswego, and that has had a deep impact on who I am. Music was always a part of my life. I was one of those toddlers who could sing before I talked, and I booked my first musical before I could read.  Read more>>

Dave Cashin | Keyboardist/composer/piano instructor. (online and in person)

Dave Cashin Keyboardist/composer/instructor. Grew up in Dunellen, NJ. A mile square suburb in Central New Jersey. I was bitten by the music bug when I was 7 years old. My oldest sister, Pat, played and sang with passion on our Hardman baby grand songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein, West Side Story, Sound of Music with a glorious alto voice. Read more>>

MARYON KING | MUSIC ARTIST

My name is Maryon King, I am a singer/songwriter born in Moldova, raised between Italy and London and now live in LA. I have been exposed to so many different cultures and languages in Moldova, Italy and London since I was 3 years old and think the traditions, the food, the music genres in all of these places have heavily influenced who I am today both as an artist and person. Read more>>