I was accepted to this program the same day a poetry collection of mine was rejected from a contest.This coincidental timing became an opportunity for me to expand the expectations I have of my own creativity.
This week, I learned that an abstract idea can be brought to life through clear communication, that mixing audio is like conducting a choir, and that while BTS is a boyband, it is also short for ‘behind the scenes.’ Most of all, I learned that whether I am dancing or doodling or stitching sound clips of crickets together, it is all coming from the same place in me and my impulse to tell stories.
Storytelling is a monumental responsibility. Those of us concerned enough to notice then dance/paint/write/cook/arrange a symphony about it must, as we say in Trinidad, come good. Next Generation Radio came good. Sincerely, this past week was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. I enjoyed being pushed outside of my comfort zone, gaining practical skills from professionals in the journalism field, as, of course, I felt super cool with over-the-ear headphones squinting at the audio editing software. Most of all, I was struck by the care with which all the members of this project interacted with one another and how excited everyone was to work together.
I am grateful for the patience, and support of my mentor, Imana, and the work of all the sound engineers, web editors, artists, producers and co-participants. As this week comes to a close, I feel re-energized in my pursuit of creative opportunities and look toward an interdisciplinary career as a storyteller.
