Sorha

As a poet and slam artist, I have had the joy of taking part in several Heya Sessions: once as an artist and the others as an audience member.

Thanks to the Heya Sessions, I have had the opportunity to make many wonderful connections. In particular, I met Gabriella from SACD, one of the two mentors present during my performance. We later arranged a meeting to discuss copyright and authors’ rights. Gabriella took the time to answer all my questions, which helped me move forward in my thinking about my artistic project.

I also met Margaux, an artist who was in the audience when I performed. As part of a project she was leading in a secondary school class, Margaux invited me to meet the students and talk with them about socially engaged songwriting, alongside another artist. The class teacher then also invited me in March to lead writing workshops with these students.

The Heya Sessions allowed me to make these connections, which in turn led to new ones. It is a real web of relationships that continues to grow.

Even when attending as a member of the audience, it is possible to create meaningful connections with artists and mentors. I believe that, now more than ever, we need spaces where we can connect, support one another, and build relationships.

That is what I find at HEYA: an inclusive, accessible, and caring environment — and it truly feels good.

Thank you to Mélanie for creating this space for encounters and for highlighting artists and the people who support them. Thank you to the artists for everything they share, to the kind and supportive audience, and to the mentors for their availability and encouragement.