What drew you to Mosaic as a young person/ how’d you get involved?
Mosaic provided a high-level creative outlet and opportunity that I wasn’t receiving at my high school. At the time, I was coming from a strong musical theatre background at a performing arts-focused middle school, while my high school had little to no music programs. A classmate who was already a member suggested I audition for the Mosaic Singers, and I took him up on that offer.
Can you share a specific moment or experience at Mosaic that has profoundly impacted you? Is there a specific experience, lesson, or memory from your time at Mosaic that continues to influence you today?
During my years in the company as a Mosaic Singer, we were tasked with preparing showcases that typically ran for three nights. Performing a 90-minute choral production alongside 60+ other young artists taught me the importance of ensemble work, rehearsal discipline, accountability, memorization, musical comprehension, performance preparation, and time management. I’ve carried many of those skills with me into various creative and professional environments.
How has Mosaic impacted your artistic, educational, or professional path?Looking back, how have the skills, mentorship, and knowledge you gained at Mosaic shown up in your personal and professional life?
The mantra ‘Only the best, nothing less’ has been a personal creed since my time with Mosaic. As an ensemble, we recited it often because it reminded us that our actions needed to rise to the occasion. I pride myself on being an ambitious critical thinker with a strong work ethic, and that shows in both my creative and professional life. Whether I’m writing music or crafting marketing copy, I hold myself to a high standard. Looking back, I balanced being a full-time high school student, a part-time after-school program counselor, and a young artist. It wasn’t easy, but I’m proud of myself, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family at home and my Mosaic family.
How has your journey with Mosaic reflected the ideas of tradition, transformation, or triumph? Can you share an example of how these themes played a role in your growth as a leader, artist or individual?
I was a shy teenager, still figuring out what it meant to be my most authentic self. I had different interests than many of the kids at school and in my neighborhood, but I didn’t yet know how to express my emotions in constructive ways. Joining Mosaic gave me the space to explore my character and personality within a community of like-minded individuals. I developed a deeper understanding of friendship and became more aware of how my words and actions affect those around me. Witnessing so many forms of expression from kids of both similar and different cultural backgrounds taught me that our uniqueness is a strength. I learned that it’s okay to be myself, and make mistakes. It does not define who I am.
How did Mosaic prepare you for higher education or your career? In what ways did Mosaic support you in pursuing further education, or your career path?
The opportunity to join the company during the college tour opened my eyes to new possibilities. Visiting college campuses in different states and cities I had never been to before introduced me to options I likely wouldn’t have considered for my next step after high school graduation.
What are you doing now? What; if anything, do you see as connections between creative youth development and the field you work in today?
In my current role as Marketing Content Producer at Visit Detroit, I develop website and long-form YouTube content on behalf of the visitor and convention bureau. I feel deeply connected to Detroit and its creative community. The relationships I’ve built over the years through collaborations with artists, musicians, thespians, photographers, and videographers have proven to be invaluable. I’m able to hire local creatives to execute marketing projects that, in turn, attract visitors and major events to our region, helping drive economic growth.
Are there any parallels or lessons from your time at Mosaic that you still apply in your current industry or work environment?
Time management and accountability, for sure. No matter what’s happening in my personal life, I’m responsible for completing my daily tasks and meeting monthly goals, just like I was responsible for memorizing music and showing up to Mosaic performances on time, focused and prepared to perform at a high level. Teamwork is vital to everyone’s success.
How would you describe Mosaic in a few words or a short phrase? Please finish this sentence: “Mosaic is…”
Mosaic is a community of dedicated, creative individuals who unite to uplift the transformative power of the arts.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I am forever grateful for my time as a Mosaic Singer. Contributing to the legacy of such an empowering youth development organization by simply doing what I love will always be both an honor and a privilege. Please continue to provide a safe space for the youth of Detroit to share their stories and express themselves authentically.
