Finding Your Voice: Music and Storytelling with Anthony Valadez
Anthony Valadez, a DJ, cultural strategist, and storyteller from Los Angeles, was welcomed as the artist-in-residence for the Porch On TAP workshop series at Inside Southwest Detroit.
Through two engaging workshop series, Valadez is supporting youth to express themselves creatively using music, storytelling, and filmmaking.
In his first series Anthony led the youth in exploration of the art of storytelling through music and personal narratives. Valadez, a seasoned radio personality, shared his own journey, emphasizing the importance of engaging with people's stories within the community.
"I learned that having some really good dialogs with people on the radio didn't just teach me a lot of cool things, but I got to learn about people's stories in the community," Valadez explained.
Throughout the workshop, participants were encouraged to share their own stories and perspectives, with Valadez stressing the practical value of developing strong storytelling skills.
“You can listen to a song on your own, but once you hear what it means to somebody, you’ll never be able to hear it in the same way again… you make people lean in when you provide context.”
The group put this into practice, engaging in activities that honed their critical thinking and fostered deeper connections as they learned to listen to and appreciate each other's narratives. The workshop aimed to empower young people through self-expression, helping them build positive relationships with each other and to develop creative skills they can use beyond the classroom.
By the end, students left with new creative skills and a deeper understanding of storytelling. Through music and personal narrative Anthony Valadez helped them to find their voices and connect with others in meaningful ways—skills that will stick with them long after the workshop.