Meet Alissa Zuchman of Azspire

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alissa Zuchman.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Alissa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began my career as an educational consultant and in curriculum development for supplemental schools throughout the Chicago area. I gained unparalleled experience in the nonprofit/social service/religious communal organizations as a Director of Lifelong Learning. 

I am now using my unique set of skills as a gifted teacher, artist, and mentor and created AZSPIRE. Azspire is about inspiring artists to “Break Through and Follow Their Dreams.” I believe in the transformative power of relationships and in the gifts of creativity and being a free-thinker. I am fortunate to have the best of both worlds: the beautiful mountains of Arizona, where my daughter and family moved and still get to sit in the stands of my beloved Northwestern Wildcat football games. Starting the Azspire Foundation that creates social justice change through the arts can make our world a more beautiful place. This is fulfilling a lifelong dream for me.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting anything new always has bumps along the way, and you have to be willing to stay with the ultimate dream and change directions when you need a course correction. Common wisdom says it takes 3-5 years to build a new business, and when that business involves the arts and helping artist reach their goals, add an extra 2-3 years.

Everything came so easily to me. I wanted something and it somehow materialized. It felt magical and I just took it for granted. I got the magical call on that beautiful day in New Mexico from the Van Buren, and booking that first show seemed to come with unexpected ease. Now a year later, it is time to push reset and to keep going with the main goals of Azspire, mentoring emerging artists to attain their goals, but with a slight new edge. So, if it takes a while longer to get Azspire going, I am willing to work and move it in a direction that makes sense, as many times as it takes until I get it right – because I know that I will.

Please tell us about Azspire.
I have a multitude of degrees in Education, Psychology and Theology and I specialized in Art Therapy. These fancy degrees worked wonders as an educator in congregations and as a director at the Board of Jewish Education. However, something was missing. My hobby of creating art in my home studio or meeting with students and working on an art project while we talked suddenly felt more authentic. I realized it was time to bring the artist in me to the forefront and use the psychology, which I prefer Mentor and use that part of what I do to help other artists be able to fulfill their dreams.

Azspire was created to be an open space for artists. They are allowed to have free-flowing and allow their vision to come to fruition without any naysayers telling them why their idea can’t be done. Azspire helps grow your skills instead of everyone following the same routine. Artists can be their most authentic selves?

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I met a talented hip hop artist, Terick Nelson prior to Todd Herzog’s first show at the Crescent Ballroom. Terick found me from the graphic design ads that I had been posting on Instagram and slid into my DM’s. He asked if we could meet about his hip-hop group Vibelane, and from that very first meeting we just clicked. You never know what impact the work that you do will have on another person. Terick is in his 20’s a hip hop artist and I am in my 50’s from the world of the Non-profit/Social service, our worlds are so seemingly far apart, but from the moment that we met, we became friends and started collaborating on projects. I have supported the music of Vibelane and Terick directed music videos for Todd Herzog, the other artist I work with and that is what I love about the music world. It isn’t about dividing by labels; it is about bringing people together by talent, by friendship, by respect and love.

That is my proudest moment!

Pricing:

• As an agent I am paid 20% for each gig
• As a mentor, I am paid $ 75.00 per session

Contact Info:

• Address: 2144 E Foothill Dr
  Phoenix AZ 85024
• Website: Azspire.org
• Phone: 8476367261
• Email: Alissa@Azspire.org
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.azspire.com
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.azspire.com

Image Credit:
Lexy Popa Photography

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