Yaya Patterson was born & raised in the East Coast wetlands, once home to the Alquoquin Native Americans & a popular destination for African Americans looking for a fresh start during the Great Migration. Yaya grew up in a multicultural household where she was exposed to theology, folk healing arts, & performance artistry. Yaya studied music therapy in hopes of expanding on the music healing techniques she was taught as a child, but found the collegiate & professional realm limiting. Since leaving professional therapy vocation, Yaya has focused on centering folk traditions & spirituality in both her visual & performance art. You can find her at a farmers market singing gospel, making crafts, writing new music.