CELEBRATING ARTISTIC DIVERSITY CHALLONA COLEMAN BY ADRIAN MICHAEL FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE, Challona Coleman knew that music was in her blood. At the age of 3, she started playing the piano and became fascinated with the robust sounds and beauty that music creates. Coleman believes in the musical terminology ‘Da Capo Al Fine’ – from the beginning to the end. “Music changes the world around us, and once one is introduced to this wonderful realm, there is no such thing as life without it,” Coleman stated. Coleman was born in Alaska and enrolled in music school before kindergarten. At the age of 10, she started playing the cello, working her way up to being first chair in both middle and high school. Being a creative Black musician is inspirational for Coleman, who says she loves when fans send artwork depicting Black girls playing instruments. “It is always fun to know that I’m like the person they think of when they see a cellist.” But Coleman doesn’t think of herself as only a cellist. Coleman is also proficient in the piano, bass, violin, xylophone, piccolo, and ukulele and is looking to add the saxophone to her musical repertoire. “I’ve always had an interest in music and my music teachers always allowed me to explore different instruments.” This eclectic attitude applies to her overall aesthetic as well, which combines hip-hop with a cyberpunk & futuristic flair. “I never preplan anything, I do what I like and that’s kind of been my motto. Yes, I have tattoos, but I want people to see me for me and I want to be myself wherever I go. You know exactly what you’re getting, and it is who I’ve grown to be” said Coleman, who knows that creativity is not all there is to succeed in the industry. Studying music for essentially all her life, Coleman wants up-and-coming musicians to know that music is discipline. CREDIT: ADRIAN MICHAEL CREDIT: ADRIAN MICHAEL 6 DENVER VOICE July 2022
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