Meet Yanti. Yanti has been living here in the beautiful Okanagan for nearly 20 years! She enjoys boating out on the lake with her friends, listening to the local talent at a live show, and spending some quality time with her loved ones.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Penticton?
Naramata for 16 years, Okanagan for 19 years.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Whoever is hanging out with me at the time. I love to spend time with all the people who pop up in my life as I get to spend time with LOTS of wise souls learning on their journey. I'm practicing to be present in my life with my people!
What is your favourite local store in Penticton and why?
I LOVE to walk down main st. and look into all the stores! I love the IODE Thrift (thank you the woman my size who keeps donating amazing things!) and the Groove Yard because they carry great music and are into supporting locals with a smile!
Describe yourself in one word.
Create-ive.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
North India. I have much to learn from this culture.
What is your favourite activity in Penticton?
Being invited on friends' boats and live local music.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I sang a whole song completely off-key in High School because I couldn't hear the music. That's why I have so much gratitude for good Sound people!
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Witnessing people show up to my Song Catching groups ready to shed the opinions of others to find their true voice is the most inspiring thing I get to witness every week. Last year I trained with Siobhan Robinsong and Denis Donnelly of the Community Choir Leadership Training born out of the Ubuntu Choir Network. Singing is a birthright and yet so many have the same story of being ridiculed as a young person. Inviting people to be courageous and shed the shame they've felt about their own voice has shown me that when someone is ready a little encouragement can lead to a lot of joy!
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My parents would take the family to Malaysia to visit our distant relatives. I remember a kid in the village where my grandparents lived didn't have shoes. He was the same size as me so I gave mine to him. I ended up giving my whole suitcase away! I can still see the confused look from my mother as she grappled over whether to be proud or frustrated!
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I love to volunteer for the Naramata PAC fundraiser: The Great Naramata Recycled Clothes Sale in April. We start collecting and sorting in January and have a gym FULL of clothes for the one day Fill a Bag for $5 sale. We have SO much abundance every year, we raise over $2000 in $5 bags! This year we had over 2100 lbs LEFTOVER! I also love to sing at retirement homes with Don Wade's Sax Among Friends.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
The need for greed... I'd like to see a maximum wage. Like if you COULD make $10 million go for it! And donate the rest to education for all ages.
Where would you sneak away to in Penticton to spend some time alone?
The Nautical Dog at Skaha Marina
Where would you like to see positive change in Penticton and why?
I would like to see more affordable housing based on a minimum wage budget because working multiple jobs and working more than full time to make ends meet is not ok. I would love to see more music classes in schools because it IS the MOTHER of all sciences and music has been known to save a person's soul. Music education should not just be for the elite who can afford it... Music education should be for everyone!
What do you think makes Penticton great?
Location, location, location!
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Sing nightly on a cruise ship
2. Write a book (my autobiography would be hilarious!)
3. Play the part of the Witch in Into the Woods
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I was born in England, raised in Texas and my skin is brown because of my mother's Singaporean heritage.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Facebook or Instagram
What is the name of your business/organization?
Yanti.ca
Why did you get into/start this business?
I wanted to experience the joy and freedom of singing every day.
What is the goal of your business?
To promote music education, vocal freedom and joy through music.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Acceptance. I have spent a lot of my life feeling like I don't belong like I'm not good enough. I am challenged in that I have to remember that the number of people coming to see me is not always a reflection of my talents.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I try not to play the "what if" game... of course, one little change of decision along the way would make things different. I'll just see what happens the rest of this life without wondering too much!
What do you always find yourself saying?
"yes, you CAN sing! Yes, I do want to hear you!"
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
"Do the best you can until you know better and when you know better do better" - Maya Angelou
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Ma Muse
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
It makes the world go around...
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Keeping my kids alive!
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Craig Henderson, Renee Matheson, and Don Wade because they were in a position to give me a chance to sing and I ran with it!
My choice for the PentictonNow In Focus spotlight is:
Renee Matheson - Matheson & Grove Fine Art Gallery
Some general comments I would like to share are:
"Oooh, I believe in the power of kindness. Oooh, I believe in the power of love" - Ma Muse. We don't have to agree and if we can disagree with kindness we will be sharing information, not tearing each other down. it is only when we build each other up that we can strive to be better and do better. Instead of judging our ourselves and neighbors, recognize we are all human. Our differing opinions make us greater. When we listen to each other's perspectives we can learn to make choices for the good of the many.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!
