Mentorship Program
We believe that mentorship is an incredible bridge to opportunity for youth and adults.
CTLG's Mentorship Program offers one-on-one sessions with experienced professionals who are actively engaged in Edmonton’s Chinatown community. Through our Mentorship Program, we aim to build a more accessible, stronger, and vibrant Chinatown community for future generations.
**Important booking information**
To book your session with a mentor, you must be age 13 or older and register for an account on our website. Click here to create an account (or login). Once you have logged in, select the drop down menu beside your name and click on
'book a mentor' to be directed to the private member's booking area.
For any questions, please reach out to us through our contact page here.
Music & Composition
Jyn-Ting Ying
jyn-ting.ying@chinatownlongevityguild.com
You must first register for a CTLG account to book. Instructions can be found at the top of this webpage.
Mentor Bio:
Hello! My name is Jyn-Ting Ying 應琬霆 and I use they/them pronouns. I am a queer non-binary Asian-diasporic artist and musician based in Amiskwaciwâskahikan, or what is known as Edmonton, Alberta. My album “Black Silk, Living Eyes” released late 2024. The music explores themes of fetishization and intergenerational trauma through Wendy Chen and Li Qingzhao’s poetry, reimagined into electro-acoustic soundscapes. Those soundscapes combine my classical and jazz training with my love for fantastical soundtracks and avant-garde electro-pop. Outside of my solo projects, I provide piano accompaniment to Sorry Not Sorry Improv, and choirs for various schools. My underscoring can also be heard on a variety of interdisciplinary projects such as “Do You See What I See” and “Poetry4Palestine”.
Ideal Mentees:
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I'm happy to guide folks through their piano practice, and I'm also well versed on inner workings of music theory, arranging, composing, and orchestrating.
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My goal is to help foster creativity, and give mentees the push they need to explore music in a way that is fun and fulfilling for them. So whether you're just starting out your music learning journey or you have specific questions about niche subjects, I'm happy to help!
Business Development
Wilson Wong
You must first register for a CTLG account to book. Instructions can be found at the top of this webpage.
Mentor Bio:
I’m Wilson, a passionate community builder and entrepreneur with 17 years of experience in direct sales. As the president of the Chinatown Longevity Guild, I focus on fostering collaboration and driving meaningful change in our community.
In addition to my work with the Guild, I’m a commercial real estate investor and co-owner of Van Loc Vietnamese Submarine, Boa & Hare Coffee and Cocktails, and CRW Orient Coffee. I’m also the author of Fun is My Favourite F Word, a book that reflects my belief in blending joy with purpose in both business and life.
I take pride in building lasting relationships and championing projects that bring people together and celebrate culture. I’m always open to new ideas and opportunities and look forward to connecting with others who share my passion for growth and community impact.
Ideal Mentees:
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Individuals who are curious, carry a strong self-belief, and are thoughtful
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Have a list of their own 100 goals/dreams/aspirations
Photographer, Visual Artist,
Chinatown Community Organizer
Jordon Hon 韓寶軒
You must first register for a CTLG account to book. Instructions can be found at the top of this webpage.
Mentor Bio:
Hello! My name is Jordon Hon 韓寶軒 (he/him). I am a visual artist and community organizer born and raised in amiskwaciwâskahikan / Edmonton with Hong Kong Cantonese roots.
“If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together” - Dr. Lilla Watson
I photograph life around me and curate experiences to bring people together. Photography is a practice that grounds me, connects me to my community, and gives me a way to explore who I am. I believe in collective solidarity leading to liberation for all. I often look for evidence of this or the absence of this notion in our world to guide where me and my camera go. Making art to serve as “an axe for the frozen sea within us.”
I have been involved in Edmonton's Chinatown community since 2021 and don't see myself slowing down. My various creative projects in the community include: A Portrait of Chinatown docu-series, Untouchable Chinatown book and exhibition, Dragon Fried Rice art exhibition, Harm Reduction x Chinatown film screening, Storytelling in Chinatown from Within, (Not Your Average) Lunar New Year Banquet, Azure Dragon of the East short film, and What We Carry 唐人街 art exhibition.
I am open to chatting with people who:
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Are interested in using photography to impact their community positively
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Want to learn how to utilize your instincts and personal story to make pictures that truly feel like your own
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Are interested in making visual arts a sustainable career
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Are interested in intersecting their art practice with our local Chinatown community
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Are interested in starting a grassroots project related to our Chinatown
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Want to talk about mental health as an artist and/or second-generation immigrant
Graphic Design
Tammy Moffat
You must first register for a CTLG account to book. Instructions can be found at the top of this webpage.
Mentor Bio:
Over 18 years ago I found a tight-knit community of Edmonton Oilers fans online. Wanting to cheer on the team and join the community's absolute chaos of photo mashups and epic design, I started graphic design as a hobby.
After years studying both Human Resources, Human Services, and working in the non-profit field, I found myself called back to graphic design in late 2023. At present, I serve multiple clients across Canada with graphic design, web design, video editing, copywriting, and strategic planning through my home-based studio in Edmonton. It has been a delight to utilize both my prior education and creative skills to support the development of the Chinatown Longevity Guild.
Through mentoring, I hope to share with others that it’s never too late to pursue something new. I invite you to explore what sparks your curiosity and bring that same curiosity and passion to a cause in your community. With hard work and an open mind, your path may open up in ways you'd never expected!
Ideal Mentees:
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My focus is guiding those who are curious about pursuing a career in graphic design and/or are early in their journey
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This includes developing a great foundation as an entrepreneur, including your own unique philosophy that will help you navigate client relations, negotiations, and foster personal resilience. I work to recognize the individual strengths of each mentee and understand that each mentee's journey is different. I cater mentoring sessions to each individual who attends
Murals & Illustration
Branden Cha (Busyrawk)
branden.cha@chinatownlongevityguild.com
Branden will be available to book for mentorship in early February 2025
Mentor Bio:
I am a South Korean multi-disciplinary artist (muralist, DJ, and b-boy) and director of the Four Guardians of Chinatown mural series. Growing up, pursuing the arts as an Asian was an uphill battle. Despite earning a marketing degree, I followed my passion for dance, painting, and DJing. Today, I balance these creative pursuits with a focus on empowering others.
As a mentor, I aim to provide the support system that many Asian families may lack. I am empathetic yet hold my mentees to high standards to help them build resilience, character, and consistency. I believe in fostering both creativity and efficiency, guiding mentees to thrive in their personal and professional growth.
Although my specialization is in murals, mentorship for me extends far beyond the boundaries of a single craft. I focus on creative entrepreneurship, emphasizing mental fortitude, compassion, fertile grounds for generating ideas, quantifying work into tangible metrics, understanding the power of saying “no,” and cultivating an observant eye for inspiration. I encourage mentees to cast a wide net when gathering inspiration, reaching beyond the technical and theoretical aspects of their specialization. A successful creative career requires attention to many interconnected elements, each contributing to a solid foundation.
While institutional education can be a valuable resource, it is not the only avenue for learning. With proper discipline, sharpened fundamentals, and a focus on mental well-being, a career in the creative field becomes a viable and exciting path. I aim to dispel the myths that perpetuate doubt and discourage pursuing a creative profession.
At the heart of any successful project lies a compelling concept. It is the concept that drives the work forward, connecting audiences to your ideas and storytelling. With this in mind, let’s build together!
Gamemaster
Kevin Douangmany
Kevin will be available to book for mentorship in late January 2025