Melanie, a singer, songwriter and sound recorder, graduated with honors from Arts Strong host school Chalmette High in 2021. She shares her journey from student to professional amid the restrictions imposed by the pandemic.

Elisa, an aerial dance artist and choreographer, shares her journey as dancer, choreographer, teacher and flier with aspiring performing arts students.

Joy, a singer-songwriter and guitarist who is self-taught from the age of 12, celebrates peace and the undeniable power of love through music. Her work is often described as the essence of ease, upliftment, self-affirmation and sensitivity. She shares this inspiration with the performers of tomorrow.

Kristen, assistant professor of voice at Southeastern Louisiana University and Chalmette High alumna, joins Arts Strong for a special college edition featuring one-on-one questions from high school students. She shares her journey and teaches a master class in voice, coaching high school students performing works by Caccini, Mozart, Vaughn Williams and others.

Dylan, a singer, actor and composer, shares his story as a Vietnamese artist. He supports students to consider composition as an extension of their performance passion.

Joy, a talented Operatic soprano and voice teacher, shares her talent, teaching practice and inspirational story overcoming breast cancer amid the COVID-19 pandemic with the next generation of vocal performers. She leads a workshop introducing concepts of alignment and breathing.

Tyrone, an American operatic tenor, shares his journey from growing up in the Greater New Orleans area to pursuing a career dually seated in Germany and the United States. Tyrone conducts a master class in Italian art songs and German lieder.

Jordan, a film maker with a passion for accessible media for the blind and an alum of St. Bernard Parish Public Schools and The Performing Arts Academy, shares their story as writer and film maker. They inspires students and opens doors for how art can be a means to communicate, grow, and reach people with disabilities in new and powerful ways.

Giovanna, an accomplished mezzo-soprano and founder of OperaCréole, shares her journey as an artist who has built an opera company from the ground up. Her career and opportunities have continued to grow and she encourages students on this journey and educates students about entrepreneurship and the history of Créole musicians.