Meet Yale Strom | Ethnographer/Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yale Strom and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yale, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I’ve always loved a good challenge. Whenever I saw someone writing a novel, composing a string quartet, or directing a documentary film, I’d think to myself, “I can do that—why not give it a try?” That curiosity and drive have always pushed me to take creative risks. When I started receiving positive feedback for my work—whether it was music, writing, or filmmaking—it gave me even more motivation to keep going.

I also really value listening to people I respect. When they offer constructive criticism, I take it seriously, because I know it can only make me stronger and help me grow as an artist. And I’m not shy about sharing my work with the world—I believe in what I create, and I know it comes from a place that’s genuine and uniquely my own.

At the end of the day, I’m driven by the joy of creating something new—of taking an idea and turning it into something that moves people, makes them think, or simply makes them feel a little less alone.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think what sets me apart from other artists is that I’ve taken my ethnographic field research—specifically, my interviews with Jewish and Romani klezmer musicians who played before and after World War II—and turned those conversations and their music into art. From that research, I’ve written books, plays, and musical compositions, directed documentary films, and curated numerous photo exhibitions. Each project, in its own way, has been an attempt to give voice to the people and cultures I’ve encountered, to preserve their stories while also reimagining them through my own creative lens.

The journey, of course, wasn’t without challenges. Early on, I had to deal with the endless layers of government bureaucracy in the former East Bloc countries. Every border I crossed became a kind of mini-drama—sometimes I was the star of the play, and other times the border guards and police took the leading roles. Then there were the financial hurdles. How was I going to fund all these research trips? How could I afford graduate school at places like Columbia and NYU, both of which were far from cheap?

I found my own solution: I busked in the New York City subways six days a week throughout the 1980s and made enough money to keep my work—and my dreams—alive. Looking back, I realize that my years as a serious long-distance runner in high school and college taught me invaluable lessons about pacing myself and staying the course. Perseverance, patience, and belief in the process—those are lessons I still carry with me in everything I do today.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting me in San Diego, I’d take them to several special places. First, we’d head to the coast to take in the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Ocean. Then we’d spend time at Balboa Park, with its magnificent 1915 Pan-American architecture, world-class museums, and lush gardens. In the evening, we’d catch some live jazz at Panama 66 in the park before enjoying a delicious vegan meal at Veganic. Finally, we’d explore the vibrant neighborhoods of South Park, North Park, Hillcrest, and Mission Hills—strolling through their eclectic mix of shops, record stores, bookstores, and eateries that make San Diego such a unique and creative city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a heartfelt shout-out to my parents, who never discouraged me when I told them I had decided to drop out of law school to conduct ethnographic research in the former East Bloc. Instead of questioning my choice, they supported my curiosity and trusted that I would find my own path. That faith meant everything to me and gave me the courage to pursue what I truly loved.

The other person I want to recognize is my wife, Elizabeth Schwartz. She has been not only my best friend but also my constant source of encouragement—especially during those moments when I doubted whether I could accomplish a particular project. Elizabeth has also been my creative partner and, honestly, my fiercest critic. She never tells me something is great unless it truly is. So when she says, “Yes, that works,” I know the project has real strength and a good chance of connecting with the public. Her insight, honesty, and belief in me have shaped my artistic journey in more ways than I can count.

Website: https://yalestrom.com

Instagram: @yalestrom

Linkedin: Yale Strom

Soundcloud: Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi

Facebook: Yale Strom

Youtube: Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi, shelaughed

Image Credits
Black and White photos by Yale Strom. Last photo by Elayne Gross – the photo with myself and my wife Elizabeth Schwartz.