Young Social Impact Heroes: Why and How Chloe Cho of Solis of Luna Arts Is Helping To Change Our World
“Set your goals high”: Throughout my life, I would set goals on what I thought was “realistic.” Now, looking back, I realize that this kind of mindset was what restricted my potential the most. I believe that the only way you can proceed in achieving your dreams is by setting your goals high. If, like me, you had set your goals to be what you thought was “realistic,” then you are the one restricting yourself. You never know what you are capable of — set your goals high!
As part of my series about young people who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Chloe Cho.
Chloe Cho is the founder of Solis and Luna Arts Corporation, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization centered around music therapy. Through her organization, she hopes to provide solace and joy to patients suffering from physical and mental health issues. Moreover, she wishes to arouse emotions, foster connections, and create memories through the healing power of music.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
Thank you so much for having me!
Growing up, I wasn’t very good at English — though born in America, Korean was the only language spoken around the house. When I started kindergarten, I was introduced to a whole new world. I didn’t know how to communicate with those around me, so I was put into ESL classes, where I had to learn a completely different language that I wasn’t familiar with. Accustoming to this new environment and language had caused me to stray away from the original language that I spoke, limiting the communication between me and my family. Although my parents were happy that I was now fitting into school and learning better, they were a little upset that I was starting to forget how to speak Korean. This barrier affected the relationship between me and my grandfather the most. Though the rest of my family members could speak conservational English, my grandfather knew little to no English at all — communication was incredibly difficult. A distance grew between us. However, there was something that brought us back together, and that was when he began to have nightmares. These occasional nightmares had escalated into something more, where there were nights when he barely slept at all. This was because his memories as a veteran were uprising again. My family didn’t know the cause. But as if a switch had been flicked, his anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and insomnia have all come crashing down. I felt guilty, not being able to communicate with him and comfort him. Then one day, my mother had a simple idea — to play music for him. “Before the war,” she would say, “your grandfather was a fan of music.” So I started to play music for him.
You are currently leading an organization that aims to make a social impact. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change in our world today?
Solis and Luna Arts aims to spread the concept of music therapy. Music therapy is a term that is not so commonly known by society, yet so many people perform it. We aim to introduce this topic to the world through our musical performances. For example, we work with communities, senior centers, and healthcare institutions to bring the healing power of music to them. Music has the power to evoke emotions and bring back memories, while overall creating a sense of community. Whether it’s uplifting moods in hospitals or providing comfort, our goal is to demonstrate the profound impact music therapy can have on physical and mental health.
Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?
My main inspiration was my grandfather. My grandfather, who, as mentioned earlier, was a veteran of the Vietnam War, had suffered from numerous physical and health ailments. Though it had been a few decades since he had come back from the war, the traumatic memories have never left him. In my childhood, I have many memories of my grandfather struggling to sleep and take care of himself because of these past events. But during my childhood, my mother had suggested something to me — to play music for him. To be frank, I was incredibly confused, as I was only around 9 years old. Music? How could that possibly make my grandfather feel better, when it was just music? I truly underestimated the power of music then. I couldn’t even imagine it, would I just pick up my violin and play a few simple notes for my grandfather? While I asked these questions, my mother would always answer, “Music has the power to make people struggling feel better, 유나.”
I remember the first piece I played for him — my own rendition of “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” by Elvis Presley. I remember all the emotions I felt after that little performance. All the embarrassment and shame at my amateur mistakes. Simply put, I was mortified by how terrible it was. But when I saw the tears decorate my grandfather’s face, I knew what I did was right.
Playing for him turned into a weekly schedule. Every Sunday, after he came back from church, I’d give him a short performance before dinner time. But one day, that schedule changed a little. He started to join me in playing. Seeing how much music was able to transform my grandfather had inspired me to start playing music for others, and eventually led to the creation of Solis and Luna Arts.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest it. They don’t get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?
To be honest, there wasn’t much of an “Aha Moment” for me — rather, I saw an opportunity to do something with my passions, so I went for it! There was an email sent out to the students at my high school around the summer of my freshmen year, saying that club applications would be open. I thought to myself, what would be better than starting as a club at my school? I knew that if I created a club, I would be able to dedicate my whole energy and time to it. So, over the summer of my freshman year, I worked on developing my ideas for this club to start. I wrote outlines for what I wanted my club to achieve during the year. The hardest part was picking a name for the club. The words Solis and Luna mean “Sun” and “Moon” in Latin. I was thinking of light in darkness, but thought that Solis “and” Luna was catchier than Solis “in” Luna. So, I ended up sticking to that. After I got it accepted as a club, I started to branch out to other chapters, eventually leading me to go through a process of making it a nonprofit.
Many young people don’t know the steps to take to start a new organization. But you did. What are some of the things or steps you took to get your project started?
During the whole process of starting a new organization, I have to admit — my notebook was my best friend. It helped me throughout the entire process and aided me in organizing my thoughts and deadlines. I split up sections in my notebook, where one section would have the details on what government forms I needed to fill out to make it a certified nonprofit, another section would have my brainstorming ideas and more! I still use it to this day, as it helps me track my progress and get things done on time.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
The most interesting story by far (and the one I always tell) is something that happened during one of the first Solis and Luna Arts’ performances. It was a performance at a local hospital, and we were playing “Bohemian Rhapsody” for the audience. It was a piece that they had requested for us to play, and so we dedicated our time to this piece to make it enjoyable for the hospital patients. We were performing it, and, almost like a miracle, the patients started to sing with our playing. It was amazing to see — patients who barely spoke or smiled were singing a song together. It showed me how music is a universal language that can transcend all barriers.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I think one of the mistakes I made when starting this organization was thinking that I could do most of the things myself. I thought that it would be easier if I was in charge of the finances, the social media posts, the outreach, etc. However, I realized that if I had a firm executive team with many people helping me, then I could expand Solis and Luna Arts even more. After this realization, Solis and Luna Arts has a full executive board with two vice presidents, a finance manager, a content manager, and a webmaster!
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
My parents are definitely my cheerleaders who have helped me succeed. My mother always researches other nonprofits to see if I can be inspired by them. My father always promotes my organization to his work, and to the people around him in general. Their faith in me motivates me to work harder. They push me to succeed, and I realize and appreciate it!
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
I remember the first performances I had ever planned for Solis and Luna Arts. It was at a local hospital, and I was nervous — it was my first time planning a whole concert, my first time creating programs, my first time formally introducing my organization. To say it was a success is an understatement — the patients enjoyed our pieces and smiled heavily throughout the performances. I remember at the end of the performance, one of the patients had asked to speak to me. She was a kind woman, and she began to tell me how much my performance had meant to her, especially our rendition of “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” She told us about how it reminded her of the days when she used to dance with her husband, and it brought back many memories that had been stored away in the back of her mind. She was the first patient to reach out to me and tell me how my performance had an influence. I was touched at her words, happy that Solis and Luna Arts had achieved our goal — to bring a smile to people’s faces.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Something that society can help me with to achieve my goal is to expose patients to music. Music has a healing and indescribable power to lift moods and provide comfort. You don’t have to be a musician to play music for patients — it can be on recordings, concerts, and more! Music is everywhere. Politicans, as influential powers, can help me by talking about music therapy to their audiences. This would aid in spreading what music therapy is and how it contributes to the world. Finally, society can help me just by supporting my cause and following what I do!
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
- “Set your goals high”: Throughout my life, I would set goals on what I thought was “realistic.” Now, looking back, I realize that this kind of mindset was what restricted my potential the most. I believe that the only way you can proceed in achieving your dreams is by setting your goals high. If, like me, you had set your goals to be what you thought was “realistic,” then you are the one restricting yourself. You never know what you are capable of — set your goals high!
- “You’re never too young!”: I always thought I wasn’t capable because of my age. I thought that nonprofits were something only adults started, and impacts were something only older kids could create. However, when my mother told me that I’m “never too young” to start something, it was like a revelation — this exclamation was what pushed me to start.
- “If you work hard, it will pay off!”: There are countless times where I fretted over whether what I was doing would make an impact at all — but after my mom told me this phrase, it didn’t matter to me. I knew that if I continued to work hard and perform good deeds, everything will be worth it as long as I see a smile on someone’s face!
- “You never know until you try”: This quote means a lot to me. Before starting my organization, I had small doubts about whether it would work or not. Looking back, I shouldn’t have made assumptions before I even started. But I got told that I should still try to make it, because I can’t tell the future — I would never know what will happen. Now, with a successful organization, I am glad I tried rather than giving up!
- “Leaders create leaders — not followers”: While spreading the knowledge of music therapy to people, I hope I can also instill leadership within audiences. I hope that the fact that I started an organization at a young age can inspire others to make the initiative as well. I hope no one feels that they have to follow my rules, and will instead be inspired to make some rules for themself.
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
I would tell them that the littlest impact can change people’s lives. What happens around us dictates how our lives will go forward. If you continuously make positive impacts on our environment, you can help countless amounts of people. Moreover, the act of impact can spread to others and inspire them to also try and create an impact. It would be a continuous chain of good impact, as your positive impact would spread to people, and so forth.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
That would have to be Ms. Sophia Kianni! I first found out about her when my mother sent me a link to her nonprofit organization, “Climate Cardinals.” I was reading about her work, and was extremely inspired! To find out that she is also the youngest United Nations advisor in US history was also truly inspiring. I think having a private lunch with them would be greatly life-changing — but I would love to even meet her just once!
How can our readers follow you online?
They can follow Solis and Luna Arts on Instagram (@solisandlunaarts) or my personal Instagram (@chloeycho)!
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Young Social Impact Heroes: Why and How Chloe Cho of Solis of Luna Arts Is Helping To Change Our… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.