WAM - Performances & Stories of Creative Journeys

In this episode, we explore the intersection of art and military life with Alex Minami from the Seattle Opera and multimedia artist Natasha Terry.

The Seattle Opera shares their connection to the Wellness, Arts, and Military (WAM) program and their work amplifying veteran voices through projects like the Veterans Choir, a collaboration with Path with Art. We also reflect on their powerful performances including The Falling and the Rising (2019)—an opera based on interviews with U.S. Army veterans—and Portraits of Service (2023), which featured the U.S. Army Soldiers’ Chorus alongside the Veterans Choir. These projects underscore the deep emotional and communal impact of music in honoring and healing those who’ve served.

Later in the episode, artist Natasha Terry discusses her connection to the WAM program and her approach to art-making as a “richly existential practice.” She talks about her workshops, her focus on animals in her artwork, and the creation of her small handmade books, including one developed through her SAP grant. Natasha also shares her hopes for the future of Sparrow Song Studio, a space dedicated to community, creativity, and healing.

Together, these stories illustrate how the arts can foster purpose, connection, and resilience within the military-connected community.

LINKS:

Natsha Terry's Website: https://www.sparrowsongstudio.com/home

Seattle Opera Veteran's Choir: https://www.seattleopera.org/discover-learn/for-adults/path-with-art-veterans-choir/