The first thing people notice about me is my sense of childlike wonder. My life experience has been unusually diverse and absolutely magical. I aim to be very present with the people I spend time with. I ask good questions and perceive between the lines. I love dancing on the border of being intuitive and deliberate. All this is reflected in my art, my music, and the professional work I do for others.
Some of what I'm currently doing:
- Serving on the board of directors and conducting educational workshops for The Slants Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing arts and activism in the AAPI community.
- Preparing to release a full-length music album called "Everywhere and Nowhere" under the moniker BAO.
- Writing a book called "Baoisms: Ideas for Existing from a Mindful Artist."
- Refining a TED Talk proposal called "Rediscover Your Inner Artist for a More Joyful, Resilient, and Fulfilling Existence."
- Designing and constructing artwork and signage for my Burning Man camp, Black Rock City Refugee Camp.
- Mentoring budding musical artists from the AAPI and LGBTQ community.
- Of course, producing some great brand strategy projects for my clients and helping some of them become amazing speakers.
Some of what I've done:
- Helped define the brand positioning for University.fm and Professors.fm, allowing the podcasting businesses to better understand and communicate their values as part of a cohesive family of brands.
- Produced and designed the "Imagine & Uplift" campaign, a nonpartisan art and music project by jazz singer Patrisha Thomson that promotes civic engagement.
- Co-wrote and produced "Butterfly with Bazookas," a full-length spoken word album by Daniel Hayes.
- Received an Unsung Heroes award from the Asian Hustle Network for my activism work within the AAPI arts community and collaboration with The Slants Foundation.
- Co-wrote and produced "The Band Plays On," a full-length album by The Slants, the all-Asian American rock band famous for their unanimous victory in a First Amendment case at the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Was profiled on the front page of Nguoi Viet Daily News, the oldest and largest Vietnamese language newspaper in the US, in an article entitled "Vietnam-born Artist Bao Vo Uses Colors to Paint Music."
- Produced and hosted "Coffee with BAO," an interview show and podcast focused on the stories of creative people from underrepresented backgrounds.
- Released my debut solo album "Perpetual Heartbreak" during the pandemic, under the moniker BAO.
- Served as Brand Director and designed the brand identity for Ayotree, an edu-tech startup focusing on underserved and developing markets.
- Helped conceive and produce, and designed the brand identity for, CPOC Music, the first music business conference in the US featuring all BIPOC presenters.
- Served as a strategic advisor to and designed the brand identity for Clever FM, a podcasting technology startup and participant in the Techstars Music startup accelerator.
- Composed the musical score for "Quan 13," a food documentary film by Hieu Gray, which examines the culinary evolution within the Vietnamese diaspora in Paris.
- Founded Juicykits, an online retailer of do-it-yourself kits that help people create desert terrariums containing live cacti, succulents, and air plants.
- Worked in various executive roles at digital marketing and design agencies for 12 years, usually leading design teams.
- Co-founded the environmental and industrial design firm, NONdesigns, producing exhibits and interiors, products, and brand identity graphics.
- Created and performed in Ming & Ping, a decade-long performance art project and pop band that has released 7 albums, with dozens of songs licensed by international brands.
- Received a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Design from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, CA.
- Attended and dropped out of art school at the San Francisco Art Institute, majoring in New Genres, which focuses on experimental and time-based art.
- Exhibited visual and installation art at galleries and museums in Southern CA, San Francisco, Houston, New York, and Miami.
- Received the top award in Visual Arts at YoungArts, formerly known as National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA).
- Learned to be a passionate lifelong artist at The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, TX.
- Became a human being in Dalat, Vietnam, then an immigrant in Southern CA, and then a beneficiary of the GATE program in Orange County, CA public schools.
