We asked some of the city’s leading artists and creatives to tell us about how they decided to pursue an artistic or creative career. We’ve shared some highlights below.

Tony Browne | Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble – Director

I first began with West African Drumming as a means to connect to cultural heritage and the rich history of West Africa. Later, my studies evolved into opportunities to share what I had learned with others, whether it be in small community settings or on large stages. The joy of celebrating culture while sharing it with others drove me to continue with the work as an artist/creative. Read more>>

Sheila del Bosque Fuentes | Flutist, Conductor and Composer

Since I was very little I always had a special love for art. I was in classes like ballet, theater, and painting. I felt all these worlds as unlimited paths of creativity and expression. When I was 10 years old I decided to start studying music professionally at an Elementary Music School. There I had my first contact with the flute, theory, music history, and a whole new world of sensations, colors, emotions, and communication beyond words. Read more>>

Andrew Dahlke | Saxophonist, Professor of Music

I was mesmerized by the saxophone at a young age. My parents saw my passion and supported it. I had a lot of success and recognition as a young person in music in and outside of school. My high school had an excellent music director and program. I won a full scholarship at Interlochen National Music camp in Northern Michigan to attend the University of Michigan for music. Detroit and the state of Michigan had many great educational resources for a young developing musician. I was able to take advantage of great teachers and mentors in the professional community. This tremendous experience catapulted me into a career in the field. Read more>>

Denver Schantz | Dance Instructor & Dance Director

Everybody wants to have a career that they actually enjoy doing, and i feel like i’ve found that with dance. I’ve been teaching dance classes since i was around 15/16 years old and am now in my late 20’s and still find joy in teaching and dancing with others, That’s hard to find, and i’ve been going through a time in my life where i’m questioning my future with dance, but i’ve come to the conclusion that dance will always be part of my life and something i plan to continue to make a full-time career out of. Read more>>

Denise Sutton | Purveyor of Beauty

Expression, continual learning and appreciation of beauty. I’ve always had the desire to build my own things. I enjoy the challenge of thinking, learning and understanding the construction to the completion. Inspiration happens during the process and it is important to step back often. Patience for the evolution of the idea/project to become itself is wonderfully mysterious. I love being in the presence of creation-to be wholly there. Love and purpose. Giving a massage/facial, growing a garden, sewing a garment…building a home/community. “To affect the day, that is the highest of arts…”-Thoreau. Read more>>

Chance Keso | Photographer.

I chose to follow this path when I was in high school. I grew up outside playing in the woods. Especially skiing and hiking. As I grew older, it just became more of my focus. That’s when I found mountain biking, then that evolved into downhill racing. That’s where it all started. I brought a camera to the races I was going to and started shooting photos just for fun and uploading them to Pinkbike.com. A few got featured in stories on the site for the races. That’s what really made me fall in love with photography and creating art. Read more>>

Dan Ossandon | Graphic Designer & Artist

From my earliest childhood I have always enjoyed expressing myself artistically. My mother tells the story that when I was two years old, she regretted removing my crayon animal drawings off the walls because they were too realistic to erase. As a child, my favorite Christmas gift was a ream of typing paper and a new box of markers. In kindergarten, I won the class art contest and that experience gave me a boost in confidence in my artistic ability. Read more>>

DJ WISER | DJ

I pursued being a DJ because i love it and its what gave me the best opportunities to perform. I grew up playing several instruments so. that definetly influenced me to pursue this kind of career. Read more>>