We believe music connects people. We’ve seen that belief come to life again and again. But we never expected it to unfold quite like this.
In 2022, we joined the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) as a host organization, opening our doors to international entrepreneurs with a heart for community and creativity. Our very first fellow was Emmanuel, a music producer from the Dominican Republic. He spent his fellowship teaching our students how to create and record their own music with professional tools, while we helped him build stronger systems to grow his studio, Attico Music & Arts.
Then, two years later, we welcomed Yakasta, also from the Dominican Republic. She was a dancer, cultural ambassador, and founder of Jazme Yow Dance Studio in Santo Domingo. Before she even arrived, we knew we wanted her to feel supported. So we set up a Zoom call between her and Emmanuel.
That call turned into something more.
Emmanuel shared how his experience at Desert Sounds gave him clarity, confidence, and space to grow both as a producer and a business leader. It was one of those quiet, encouraging moments: one artist passing the torch to another.
Fast forward a few months.
While working on separate projects, Emmanuel and Yakasta ran into each other by surprise at a TV studio in the Dominican Republic. Two Desert Sounds YLAI fellows, two creatives from completely different fields had collided again in the middle of their own paths. Both with stories rooted in Desert Sounds.
We couldn’t have planned it better if we tried.
Each YLAI fellow brings something special to our students, our team, and our community. They’ve helped our students grow in confidence and culture. And in return, we’ve walked beside each of them to strengthen their businesses, strategies, and dreams.
We love watching a single spark light a global connection.
Full Circle Sounds: A YLAI Reunion Across Borders
Posted: November 1, 2025 by Jennifer Crews
We believe music connects people. We’ve seen that belief come to life again and again. But we never expected it to unfold quite like this.
In 2022, we joined the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) as a host organization, opening our doors to international entrepreneurs with a heart for community and creativity. Our very first fellow was Emmanuel, a music producer from the Dominican Republic. He spent his fellowship teaching our students how to create and record their own music with professional tools, while we helped him build stronger systems to grow his studio, Attico Music & Arts.
Then, two years later, we welcomed Yakasta, also from the Dominican Republic. She was a dancer, cultural ambassador, and founder of Jazme Yow Dance Studio in Santo Domingo. Before she even arrived, we knew we wanted her to feel supported. So we set up a Zoom call between her and Emmanuel.
That call turned into something more.
Emmanuel shared how his experience at Desert Sounds gave him clarity, confidence, and space to grow both as a producer and a business leader. It was one of those quiet, encouraging moments: one artist passing the torch to another.
Fast forward a few months.
While working on separate projects, Emmanuel and Yakasta ran into each other by surprise at a TV studio in the Dominican Republic. Two Desert Sounds YLAI fellows, two creatives from completely different fields had collided again in the middle of their own paths. Both with stories rooted in Desert Sounds.
We couldn’t have planned it better if we tried.
Each YLAI fellow brings something special to our students, our team, and our community. They’ve helped our students grow in confidence and culture. And in return, we’ve walked beside each of them to strengthen their businesses, strategies, and dreams.
We love watching a single spark light a global connection.
Category: General, News Tags: Emmanuel, Yakasta, YLAI, Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative