In the quiet of her Georgia bedroom, a young woman’s fingers dance across her keyboard, uploading her latest musical creation to Spotify. Miles away, in the bustling heart of New York City, another woman carefully arranges art supplies on a picnic table at Columbus Park Playground, preparing for a community workshop. These scenes, though vastly different, share a common thread: the forging of community.
Across the United States, Asian American women are weaving intricate tapestries of connection, each thread representing a unique approach to building bonds. From the digital realm of social media to the physical spaces of urban neighborhoods, these women are proving that community knows no bounds. Their stories paint a vibrant picture of creativity, resilience, and the power of shared experiences.
Ritika Sharma was 10 years old when she wrote her first song. It was through piano lessons that she developed a deep appreciation for composition and classical music at a young age. But Sharma was more interested in creating something of her own.
“I would always show my teacher pieces I made instead of learning pieces,” Sharma said.
This creativity persisted throughout the years. When COVID hit during her senior year of high school, Sharma wrote a song a day — ”It was a practice I wanted to invest in, I knew it would pay off” — and was able to hone in on her production skills and the “craft of music.”
Drawing inspiration from artists like Lizzie McAlpine and Billie Eilish, Sharma likes “creating atmospheres” in her music. She is deeply inspired by nature, but also just the “little things” in the world around her.
“I like writing about literally anything in front of me and turning it into something bigger,” Sharma said.
Sharma graduated from the University of Georgia earlier this year, and released her first self-produced song “For the Fish” during her sophomore year. She continues to release music online through Spotify and TikTok, but…
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