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Grae Violett Speaks to the Importance of Community
Press Tracey Wong Press Tracey Wong

Grae Violett Speaks to the Importance of Community

“As an example of Totem Star’s tight-knit culture, Violett cited the organization’s COVID-19 response: an example of Totem Star’s tight-knit culture, Violett cited the organization’s COVID-19 response: Totem Star’s co-Co-founders, Daniel Pak and Thaddeus Turner, immediately checked in on her after the stay-at-home order passed. “They’re calling you—your phone—personally and asking ‘How are you doing? How are you doing, not just as an artist, but as a person? And what can we do to help?’” she said. When she’s older, she noted, “I want to be like that. I never want to be so successful in my career that I forget to give back—and not in a facetious way, but genuinely give back to people.

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Totem Star shines for youth artists during COVID-19
Press Tracey Wong Press Tracey Wong

Totem Star shines for youth artists during COVID-19

“Although it’s tough to be confined in our homes with less physical accessibility and interaction, we always encourage our young artists to keep making art,” Pak said. “To keep writing. To keep telling their story. And if they’re feeling scared or anxious, to be assured that we all are. Writing, singing, rapping, and creating music may just be the best medicine.”

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Totem Star music flourishes over digital airwaves and across generations
Press Tracey Wong Press Tracey Wong

Totem Star music flourishes over digital airwaves and across generations

“It had been months since the half dozen young artists on the call had seen one another, months since Totem Star, a recording studio and music workshop for youth, shut its 250-square-foot space to protect against the deadly coronavirus. But closed doors are no match for the internet, or for the family-of-choice that Totem Star helped create.”

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