When you grow up on Chicago’s southeast side, survival is an art form of its own. For Xochi, a musician and creative force, the struggle wasn’t just about making ends meet but finding her voice in a world that often dismissed artistic dreams. Raised in a historically industrial neighborhood, Xochi saw firsthand the devastation that followed the closure of the steel mills. These challenges shaped her worldview but never broke her spirit.

“My family, like so many others, had to navigate a world of loss—jobs, homes, even loved ones,” Xochi shared. For her, these losses planted the seeds of resilience. Raised in a household that celebrated music and art, Xochi found an outlet in creativity. Her father’s punk rock band, Dead Still Mill, was not only a tribute to their community’s struggles but a beacon of expression.

Yet, the road to becoming an artist wasn’t simple. “Growing up in South Chicago, saying you wanted to be an artist was almost laughable,” she said. Expectations leaned heavily toward stability—school, work, and financial security. But Xochi’s determination to create never wavered. Her music became both a sanctuary and a platform, allowing her to process personal trauma and societal pressures.

Trauma, as she explained, wasn’t just an obstacle but a wellspring for her art. “I didn’t want to be defined by what happened to me,” Xochi said. “Instead, I wanted to take control and tell my story on my terms.” Music offered her that control. Whether it was processing the pain of losing loved ones or navigating the complexities of identity and belonging, Xochi transformed her experiences into melodies and lyrics that resonate deeply.

Her journey back to music wasn’t linear. After stepping away for years, she rediscovered her passion with the help of producer Ron. Their collaboration marked a turning point. “In 20 minutes, we created something that felt like a piece of my soul,” Xochi said, describing the first single they produced together.

Faith also played a pivotal role in Xochi’s evolution. While she always believed in God, it wasn’t until she embraced her spirituality fully that she found peace. “Giving my pain and control to Jesus changed everything,” she said. This newfound faith not only guided her personal growth but also began to shape her music, infusing it with themes of redemption and purpose.

Her advice to aspiring artists? Create without fear. “There’s no wrong way to make art,” Xochi emphasized. “Whether it’s for an audience or just for yourself, art has the power to make you feel whole.” This sentiment is a cornerstone of her life’s philosophy and one she hopes others will embrace.

Xochi’s music defies easy categorization, blending hip-hop, ska, R&B, and house influences. But beyond genres, it’s her authenticity and willingness to be vulnerable that set her apart. Each track is a reflection of her life—unpolished yet profoundly beautiful, much like the southeast side of Chicago itself.

Today, as an award-winning artist with a management deal and a growing audience, Xochi remains deeply rooted in her community and committed to uplifting others through her work. Whether it’s encouraging someone to pick up a paintbrush, write a song, or simply find their purpose, her message is clear: “Your story matters, and your art is your voice.”

Jeff Yang’s life is a mosaic of music, art, and a cultural journey that began halfway across the world. Born in Taiwan to parents who had fled wartime China, Jeff’s early years were shaped by stories of resilience, courage, and family legacy. When he immigrated to the United States at age eight, Jeff found himself in a world that felt foreign. Yet, amidst the disorientation, music emerged as a constant, becoming his language, his grounding force, and ultimately, his purpose.

Growing up in New Jersey and later Seattle, Jeff discovered that music transcends language and culture. “No matter where you’re from, music has a way of connecting you to others,” he shares. He embraced the violin at an early age, inspired by his older half-siblings and a violin left behind by his sister. As he progressed, Jeff’s skill grew, and music became a bridge that connected him to new cultures and communities. Pursuing this path led him to a scholarship at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he was able to dive fully into the world of orchestras, eventually performing internationally.

Jeff’s journey took him across the world, where he performed in places as far-reaching as Italy, Russia, and Israel. Performing in different cultures taught him the power of art to bridge gaps in understanding, and he noticed that regardless of language, music was universally felt. As he put it, “I was good at music and good at moving people.” His ability to convey emotion across cultures reinforced his belief that music has an unmatched power to connect people.

Beyond performance, Jeff’s career evolved into a unique blend of art and experience, integrating sensory elements to create immersive events. Jeff’s vision is to use music, scents, and visuals to craft moments that transcend everyday life. His first event, in 2018, was a test of this idea—a multisensory experience that brought together music, art installations, and carefully crafted scents. Collaborating with chefs, perfumers, and visual artists, Jeff’s event invited attendees to experience art through all senses. “The beauty of life is in its subtleties, in the things that make you feel alive,” Jeff explains.

For Jeff, it’s about more than the art itself—it’s about capturing those moments of wonder that modern life often pushes aside. In a world where technology makes everything instantly accessible, he believes we risk losing touch with what makes us feel deeply connected to the present moment. “We’re so used to things being fed to us that we stop paying attention,” he reflects. By combining multiple senses, Jeff’s events remind people to feel and engage in the richness of each moment.

Reflecting on his life as an artist, Jeff speaks to the value of risk-taking and self-discovery. He acknowledges that pursuing a life in the arts hasn’t always been easy; there were moments where he played on street corners or relied on side gigs to make ends meet. But for Jeff, it’s all been part of a larger mission—to create experiences that inspire people to see life from a fresh perspective. “Knowing yourself and what you’re good at is essential,” he says. By embracing his unique strengths, Jeff has been able to create something truly unique and fulfilling.

Through his creative events, Jeff has touched the lives of many, reminding us that art has a profound role in fostering empathy and understanding. His projects with In the Realm of Senses—a platform that uses art to explore humanity’s shared experiences—blend music, food, and fragrance to create transformative encounters. From multisensory dinners paired with classical music to immersive outdoor concerts, Jeff’s work speaks to the value of art in cultivating peace and harmony.

Today, Jeff continues to create these experiences in Chicago and beyond. By connecting people through shared sensory experiences, he hopes to inspire a deeper appreciation for art, culture, and life itself. It’s a reminder that, in a fast-paced

Zhanna Biletska’s story is one of courage, creativity, and an unyielding commitment to growth. Born and raised in Ukraine, Zhanna’s passion for art was evident from an early age. By the time she was nine, she was already attending art school, honing her skills in drawing, painting, and composition. But the journey that brought her to where she is today—a thriving artist and photographer based in Chicago—was anything but linear.

Zhanna’s artistic journey is marked by moments of discomfort and fear, which she has consistently confronted head-on. This theme of stepping out of her comfort zone is a thread that runs through her entire life. She recalls, “I was really, really scared too, but I just put myself in the situation that put me out of my comfort zone. And I think it's the only way you can grow and change.”

This willingness to face fear has taken her far beyond the boundaries of her hometown in Ukraine. Zhanna moved to the United States over a decade ago, initially just to travel and explore a new culture. What was meant to be a temporary visit turned into a permanent move when she decided to stay in Chicago, a city she now calls home.

Zhanna’s decision to join the U.S. Army—a rare path for an immigrant artist—was driven by a practical need to expedite her citizenship process. However, this experience turned out to be one of the most challenging and transformative periods of her life. As someone who never considered herself an athlete, the physical demands and the cultural shock of military life were daunting. Yet, Zhanna persevered, pushing through self-doubt and emerging stronger on the other side.

Her advice to others, particularly immigrants facing similar challenges, is simple yet profound: “You have to go towards your fear.” Zhanna believes that staying in your comfort zone stifles growth. For her, true change and personal development only come when you push yourself beyond what feels safe and familiar.

This philosophy extends to her art. Zhanna’s love for plein air painting, a style that involves capturing the natural world outdoors, is a testament to her commitment to engaging directly with her surroundings, no matter how uncomfortable it might be. Despite initial doubts about whether she could make a living from her art, Zhanna found success by staying true to what she loved. She shares, “You have to do what you actually love, not what you think will make money.”

Zhanna’s story also highlights the importance of community. While Chicago’s vibrant Ukrainian community provided a sense of familiarity, it was her desire to connect with a broader audience that fueled her growth. She started interacting more with English-speaking clients and artists, even though it was challenging. “I was so embarrassed, like when they are talking, and I’m just smiling. But that’s part of the process,” she says.

This drive to connect with others, despite the language barrier and cultural differences, has not only helped Zhanna grow as an artist but has also expanded her network in significant ways. Her work, particularly her commissioned paintings of local Chicago architecture, has garnered attention and praise, leading to more opportunities and a growing client base.

As an artist and entrepreneur, Zhanna has had to wear many hats—everything from creator to marketer to customer service representative. The demands of running her own business have sometimes led to burnout, but she’s learned to recognize when it’s time to take a step back. “There have been moments that I was burned out, that I got insane,” she admits, underscoring the importance of self-care in sustaining creativity.

For aspiring artists, Zhanna offers this advice: don’t be discouraged by the difficulty of making a living from your art. Keep practicing, keep refining your skills, and most importantly, keep doing what you love. “It’s crazy how that happens—when you’re chasing it, it runs away from you. And then when...