As COVID-19 persisted throughout the past two years, artists have struggled to share their work with others face-to-face. Having to resort to the Internet as a mechanism to share their work in a time where people could not gather, artists have had to drastically adapt to create their artistry live. Perhaps one of the groups that have had to adapt the most is the performing arts.
Rock climbing, snow sports, and anything semi-dangerous was what fueled my childhood. Living in Sacramento allowed my family and I to be just an hour and a half away from some of the coolest places, such as Lake Tahoe and John Muir Woods. Choosing to study at Sierra College allowed me to stay close to amazing places like these, with the opportunity to take classes even closer to the mountains at the Nevada County Campus.
The Environmentally Concerned Organization of Students (ECOS) is a club at Sierra College that I was lucky to join. It helps educate students on the importance of sustainability and the principles of Leave No Trace. Thanks to ECOS, I was able to participate in outdoor activities and meet people who feel just as passionately about the earth as I do.
Written by Alexis Young
Becoming a mother at 17 was scary to me. I thought that I would ruin my children’s lives before they ever had a chance. Following in the footsteps of my mother and determined to break a cycle. Just a teenager not knowing myself or even who I would be. I did not understand the responsibility that I was taking on, not for just one child, but six.
I had to strive to be better than I’d ever been and understand that mistakes would potentially put me and my children in a bad position. It was up to me, and only me, to ensure that my children had everything under the sun, no matter the curve balls thrown in my path.
In this 8:22 minute video, Journalism and Communications: Reaching your Dream Career, viewers hear from KFBK reporter with iHeart Media, Nikka Magahis, and Sierra College Communication Studies professor and consultant, Tara Franks, PhD, on their paths into journalism and communications careers. Each describes their unique journey into an evolving field that touches on radio, writing, multimedia, performance, teaching, and higher-education.
Video by Hayley Repetti
Thirteen years of schooling spent looking forward to the dream “college life.” Meeting new people, experiencing new things, finding ourselves, and grasping for a small amount of freedom. What none of us expected was a global pandemic causing those 13 years of schooling to lead up to sitting behind screens. Continue Reading
Reported and photographed by Jessica Shona-Stewart | Photo captions by Katelyn Vengersammy
In this 6:29 minute video, Why are We Essential? Workers in the Service Industry Express their Feelings on the Title, viewers hear from Sierra College student workers: Shyanne Dickinson, Chris Jenkins, and Stefany Guzman on their experience as both students and essential workers during the pandemic.
In this 15:17 minute podcast, Covid-19 through Older Eyes, three people from the local community: Erny (67), Anna (72), and Judy (70s) share their experience. They explain making changes in their lives to stay safer, working at Walmart and Door-Dash, missing spending time with friends, and care-giving elders themselves through the pandemic.
While to some, the pandemic is an inconvenience or something that others need to worry about, many over the age of 55 are worried about their heath and have made changes to prevent getting Covid-19. This is why their perspectives and what they are going though is so important. We all have family, friends, neighbors who are older and for some of them, it has been life threatening.
Their perspectives matter. Understanding their experiences can help others feel connected and have a better understanding of what the pandemic has been like for older generations.
Podcast by Susan Stewart
Growing up around San Francisco, you see messenger bikers constantly. The speed, style, and rebellious nature was always fascinating to me. There are messenger bikers in almost every major city in the world, but none work harder than San Francisco’s. Brutal weather conditions, constant rolling hills, and some of the most hectic traffic on the planet, create a perfect ecosystem for talented cyclists to prove their skills.
I was lucky enough to photograph and speak with some of these messengers for this story, and interview Tasha Rose. Rose is a sponsored cyclist riding for All-City Cycles and King Kog Shop, and a full-time messenger with the Candlestick Courier collective. If there is a single person in the industry that people are inspired by, it is absolutely, Tasha Rose.
I decided to interview Rose due to her local recognition, her amazing attitude, and because she is very well-spoken. She provided me with a lot of information about being a bike messenger, and explained some struggles they face on a day to day basis.
Rose is a strong and inspiring woman on and off the bike, and continues to drive for added support for WTFs; women, transgender, and femme cyclists. She set aside some time to chat with me at her apartment on November 11th. In our conversation, we focus on her work in 2020.
Written and photographed by Thomas Edgington | Audio edited by Leonor Bright
In this episode of Listen, I had the opportunity to interview my friend, Adele. She was in school band for many years. We talk about how she thinks the pandemic has affected high school band programs and what the future will bring.
Podcast by Leonor Bright
In this episode of Listen, world-traveling musician Norbert Stachel talks about his humble beginnings in the Bay Area, how that led to a fulfilling career, and his current home and situation in New York City. He also talks about how the pandemic has affected his career.
For more about Norbert Statchel, see:
Podcast by Leonor Bright
Hi Everyone!
Welcome to Listen! Just to tune you in on what this whole series is about, I’m a student of Journalism at Sierra College with an undying love for music. I wanted to create a story focusing on different perspectives within the music industry, and find out how these individuals have been affected by this pandemic.
There are seven episodes total, excluding this one and my final thank yous. Each episode features a different guest that I had the opportunity to interview talking about their experience in the pandemic. Really, it’s up to you to decide what order you want to go in. You can listen to all episodes, two episodes, five episodes, it really is up to you.
Seeing as this is my debut as a podcast host, this was a really enriching experience for me. I hope you people out there enjoy listening to this series as much as I enjoyed making it.
Thank you!
Here are the shows in the series:
Text & Podcast by Leonor Bright