becoming the characters, crafting narratives, and bringing stories to life. It was only natural that his love for writing eventually expanded into other creative realms. Then, there’s his love for music. Blake always knew he enjoyed singing, but it wasn’t until he found an online Discord community where he sang daily asking for feedback, improving with every note, that he realized he wanted to take it more seriously. Enter Ms. Florence Hechtel at JNSA, a vocal and piano instructor with a lifetime of experience. With her guidance, Blake’s passion for singing began to grow into something even more powerful.

Creativity, for Blake, doesn’t exist in isolation. He draws inspiration from his dad’s love for anime, which introduced him to the world of Dragon Ball when he was little. That early exposure led to an obsession with action-packed storytelling, and it wasn’t long before he found himself deeply inspired by Yoshihiro Togashi, the creator of Yu Yu Hakusho and Hunter x Hunter. Togashi’s ability to tie a character’s abilities to their personalities sparked something in Blake, he saw what was possible when a writer takes the time to deeply connect their characters to the worlds they inhabit. That level of storytelling is something he aspires to in his own work.

For Blake, the creative process varies depending on the medium. If it’s singing, the method is simple, sing the song so much that it gets stuck in his head. Writing, however, is more intricate. Before he even begins putting words on the page, he first immerses himself in world-building, character motivations, and conflicts. A story isn’t just about what happens; it’s about why it happens. And that’s where his real strength lies taking an idea and developing it into something with depth, purpose, and meaning.

Of course, the road hasn’t been without challenges. Living with asthma and being on the autism spectrum, Blake has faced his share of obstacles. His health means he sometimes misses school or rehearsals, and the frustration of falling behind can be discouraging. But he refuses to let that stop him. Through proactive care and sheer determination, he keeps pushing forward, knowing that his dreams are bigger than any setback. “We all deal with some form of stress in life,” he says. “But it’s important to keep moving forward. Maybe someone reading this will see that and keep going too.”

Looking ahead, Blake is dreaming big. His ultimate goal? To write, produce, and direct his own show, hopefully an animated one. He’s already laying the groundwork, perfecting his storytelling techniques and sharpening his skills in both writing and performance. When asked where he’d like to showcase his work, Japan immediately comes to mind. He’s long been inspired by Japanese animation and artwork, and thanks to his parents, he’ll be heading there as a graduation gift. But beyond location, Blake’s true desire is simple: an audience that listens. Whether it’s one person, five people, or ten, he just wants someone to take a moment to hear his story.

If there’s one thing Blake wants other young artists to know, it’s this: just start. Whatever your passion is, dive in headfirst. If you’re a singer, train your ear and study professionals. If you’re a writer, consume every form of media you can, books, films, shows, music, all of it. Analyze the world around you and find ways to turn your observations into something powerful. But most of all, don’t be afraid to use your voice.

Blake describes his art in three words: Action. Personal. Commentary. If his story is any indication, he’s already well on his way to creating something unforgettable. His recent proudest moment? Finishing his first theatre production at JNSA. But if there’s one thing we know about Blake, it’s that his story is far from over, this is just the opening act.