Welcome to The Foxgrove, where we believe that everyone has the potential to create music. On the one-year anniversary of our founding, meet our latest class of newly minted electronic music makers.

Kate Lala is the Director of People and Culture at the Yard and the founder and executive director of Artistic Abandon NYC, a theater and art production company. Originally from Delaware, she grew up in a “typical east coast town” and seeks to create an authentic community that fosters connection.

What’s your relationship to music?
Growing up in a large family, everyone played a different instrument. My free time was spent playing music. I’m classically trained in trumpet and voice, and studied theater and voice in college. I also write and perform music for my theater company.

What brought you here?
You make it seem so easy for someone to step into the music creator role. I wanted to take you up on that. Is it really that easy? I took both the introduction to music production and DJ classes. I enjoyed both, but I loved the music production class.

Describe your experience.
I was taken aback with the design and style of the whole space. The space transforms as you go up the stairs… Even surrounded by strangers, I felt comfortable being creative. For the DJ classes, I went with my team at The Yard. That team-building was really fun. We were sharing and laughing.

What inspires you?
Everyday details. Taking a step back and examining the human experience. My boyfriend and I exchange our favorite human observations at the end of the day. “I’m riding in the elevator on the way to work, and there’s a shy man with huge headphones on. I’ve never seen someone lipsync Ariana Grande with such passion.” New York is a huge inspiration.

Any future musical plans?
Going to start doing more community action works. Dabbling in doing works on gentrification and gender equality. Stay turned! Love folk Americana. Listening to so much of that – puts me in a good mood! There’s something about listening to folk Americana in NYC. Fun juxtaposition. Super into Father John Misty right now.

What else do you love?
Nature. Love exploring Hudson Valley and the Catskills. Get such a recharge from being up there. Metro North is great for Hudson Valley. Wildflower bouquets.

Tell us a fun fact about you.
When I first moved to New York, I sang in dive bars on the Upper East Side. Amy Winehouse and other classics.

Get in touch with your inner creativity, join the new breed of music-makers by taking a class with us at The Foxgrove.

This gem is brought to you by The Hunt, The Foxgrove's blog that looks into the electronic music and DJ world in the lenses of fashion, lifestyle, art and culture. If you'd like to contribute, find us at info@thefoxgrove.com.