Today we’d like to introduce you to HeavenNezCree.
Hi HeavenNezCree, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I discovered early on that creativity isn’t bound by circumstance. Creativity lives in the spirit. I’ve always been drawn to the art of expression, even before I had a formal outlet for it.Growing up in a modest, midsize Midwestern city—traditional, close-knit, and full of quiet charm—I attended a small, private elementary/middle school.. Each grade had just one class of about twenty students. Spending nine formative years surrounded by the same circle of classmates shaped how I saw community, connection, and creativity.
Without formal arts programs — no drama clubs, no after-school activities — opportunities for artistic expression were rare. But we did have a cheerleading team, and for me, that became my “Broadway” stage, a place where I could channel my love of movement, rhythm, and performance.
One of my earliest memories is from second grade. I so vividly remember being seven years old, standing onstage in a make-shift sailor’s costume, singing “On the Good Ship Lollipop” at the school talent show — armed only with the chorus memorized. Even then, without formal guidance, the drive to perform, to communicate through art, was already taking root.
Around the same time, I also found joy in writing. I was constantly filling tiny notebooks with poetry and short stories. By eighth grade, I was reading my own ‘horror story’ to the class by flashlight, hoping to conjure a theatrical, spine-tingling moment. Looking back, those little acts of creativity weren’t random; they were early signs of a life devoted to storytelling in all its forms.
That early spirit has continued to guide me throughout my journey. I went on to earn a BA in Communications and later moved to New York City, where I stepped deeper into the world of theater and independent film. I performed in smaller productions, joined an ensemble sketch comedy group, and worked on a few film projects — all while teaching dance and running after-school programs to support myself between auditions.
I later relocated to Los Angeles, where I continued performing with the sketch ensemble while expanding my work in film and television. During a period of creative reassessment, I chose to deepen my skills, earning an MBA and later an MFA with a focus on Directing and Cinematography. Along the way, I created a collection of short, experimental, micro, and nano films, recorded and produced a music video for an original song, and launched an audio storytelling series.
Today, I approach every discipline — whether performance, filmmaking, music, writing, or visual storytelling — with genuine passion, dedicated craftsmanship, and a profound respect for the creative process. My work is not a pastime, but a craft honed over years of experience, study, and heartfelt dedication.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Not at all.
My journey hasn’t unfolded along a paved path. Instead, it has been more like scaling a jagged mountain, where the climb is real and the air, at times, grows thin.
Pursuing a life in the arts is filled with moments that test more than just strength; they test your faith in yourself. It’s one thing to hear that you have to “be strong,” but true survival requires something even deeper. You must have the kind of devotion that keeps you moving even when the outer rewards are few and the inner doubts are loud.
The challenges haven’t only been about hearing “no” or navigating rejection. They’ve been about holding onto self-worth when every aspect of who you are — how you look, sound, move, and speak — is constantly being measured. They’ve been about finding the courage to stay open to critique without letting it dismantle the love you have for your craft. And, they’ve been about maintaining consistency and hope while standing in the space between survival and dream-building.
Strength is a given for anyone walking this path. But beyond strength, it takes vision, endurance, tenderness, and a stubborn belief that what you have to offer matters, even when the world seems indifferent.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist devoted to telling stories in every form they ask to be told — through words, music, images, and motion. I believe creativity is a language of the spirit, a way of capturing the fleeting, fragile beauty of life and giving it a form that lingers long after the moment has passed.
My work spans writing, visual art, filmmaking, music composition, and emerging media. At the heart of everything I create is the same desire: to inspire, to uplift, and to honor the richness of human experience. Whether I’m composing an original score, directing a short film like “Easter” — born during the isolation of the Covid pandemic — or building an art series like “Numbers” from my predawn reflections, I am always chasing the same light: the desire to leave behind something meaningful, something honest, something true.
I’m most proud of the moments when a piece finds its way into another person’s heart — when a song, a story, or a visual strikes a chord that reminds someone they aren’t alone. That, to me, is the real success.
What sets my work apart is not just the blending of disciplines, but the presence behind it — a commitment to showing up fully, to creating with intention, and to offering each work as a gift of connection. I don’t create just to create — I create to connect, to preserve meaning, and to invite others into deeper reflection. I see every project as part of a living archive. For me, that living archive is a way to say, “I was here. I saw. I felt. And I shared it with you.”
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I believe we’ll witness a profound reimagining of how stories are created, experienced, and shared. Technology will continue to open new doors — with virtual production, AI-enhanced creativity, and immersive media platforms reshaping the landscape. But alongside innovation, I see a rising hunger for authenticity.
The adoption of Artificial Intelligence into the creative workflow is at a pivotal crossroads. It’s a new tool. And, like a plane being built mid-flight, its guardrails and ethical frameworks are still forming. As the initial novelty fades, and more traditional artists integrate AI strategically and thoughtfully with reverence for the roots of art, I believe we’ll see some exciting new work emerge. However, I do not foresee generated content replacing traditional film, music composition, or skilled writing. The human element in storytelling — the nuance, the heart — cannot truly be replicated.
Augmented Reality (AR) has also been simmering just below the mainstream. I anticipate that current cost barriers will shrink as AI tools enable individual creators to code and customize their own immersive experiences. I believe this will lead to the opening of a much broader creative playground.
Audiences are becoming increasingly conscious of what they consume. They’re seeking experiences that feel personal, intentional, and meaningful — not just polished, algorithm-optimized content, but work that resonates with heart. I believe multidisciplinary creators — those who can blend story, sound, image, and emotion across platforms — will be at the forefront of this shift.
At the same time, the sheer volume of media — what we can watch, read, and listen to — presents a real challenge. Capturing not just attention, but energy and loyalty, will be crucial. I expect social media to evolve significantly. As platforms recognize the risks of unchecked exposure and viewer fatigue, algorithms will become more attuned to authentic audience preferences, creating more curated and meaningful digital experiences.
In terms of big shifts, I see more direct creator-to-audience relationships, with traditional gatekeepers continuing to lose influence. Artists who cultivate sincere, values-driven communities around their work will be the ones who thrive.
I’m excited about the convergence of art and technology. However, I believe the soul of storytelling will matter more than ever. No matter how sophisticated the tools become, it will still be the artists — the ones who create from deep presence, vision, and authenticity — who will shape the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.HeavenNezCree.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heavennezcree/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heavennezcree
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Heavennezcree
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavennezcree
