Finding my voice through the arts: Becoming wide-awake to the rhythms of my own drum

My thesis is an arts-based inquiry into discovering my voice through poetry, narrative, and Korean drum. My fundamental purpose is to examine what it means to reflect on my lived experiences and to bring my poetic voice onto the page, and into the world. I employ multiple methodologies, including poetic inquiry and embodied ways of inquiry in my exploration of identity. My thesis integrates theoretical and artistic elements which include poems, personal narratives, and a reflection on my solo performance with a Korean drum. My Korean drum becomes a pathway and form for an exploration into discovering my authentic inner voice. In addition, I attempt to cultivate a state of wide-awakeness, following Maxine Greene’s concept, by exploring my inner landscapes through these artistic mediums and thereby recreating my authentic self. Finally, I discuss the implications of my work, offering suggestions for educational and creative practice, situating the place of ‘voice’ in each domain.