The following pieces are sound portraits of various individuals living in the Greater Los Angeles Area. As you listen to the one-minute vignettes, a specific sound guides through the personal tales and you learn a little something about the people living in Los Angeles. These stories were all recorded, edited and produced by Victor Figueroa for broadcast on KCRW.

 

Hiking Mount Baldy

A tech supervisor at USC, Sebastian Grubaugh wanted to test himself by hiking Mount Baldy. Soon he realized that he was underprepared for a challenge that would test his drive and will. “It almost started to get scary, but there was still the need to press forward,” says Grubaugh.

You can also view and listen to the piece at KCRW for the Curious

 

 

 

Nowhere to gig with his Tibetan Lute

Taylor Haney spent a year in India studying music, where he learned to play the Tibetan Lute or Dranyen: a guitar-like instrument with three sets of two strings. The Dranyen is taught to Tibetan youth and is cherished as a storytelling device for popular folklore. Now, here in Los Angeles, when Taylor plays, he is reminded of the majestic Himalayan Mountains and friends he left behind.

You can also view and listen to the piece at KCRW for the Curious

 

 

 

Salsa class with Maestro Joo

At Club One Studio, Maestro Joo doesn’t just teach salsa dance, but creates what he calls a “salsa family.” Through dance, Joo instills confidence in each of his students, literally one step at a time.

You can also view and listen to the piece at KCRW for the Curious

 

 

 

Learning to swim with my dad

USC student Alex Wowra loves to swim laps at the campus rec. center. Champion swimmers have trained there, but for Alex, swimming reminds him of his childhood in Germany, where his dad taught him how to swim.

You can also view and listen to the piece at KCRW for the Curious