Read the full story from our 2025-2026 program guide interview with Tchin, Tailinh and Xiao Hui.

 

Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA) had a chance to speak with teaching artist Tchin and his daughters, Tailinh and Xiao Hui. Xiao Hui provides project management support for Tchin’s teaching and performance careers. Tchin and We Are the Seeds, Tailinh’s organization, have been on the YA roster since 2023. Together they have brought their art and stories to more than 3,000 students in 12 different schools. Both of their programs focus on storytelling, centering Indigenous voices, and building community.

Tchin, Tailinh, and Xiao Hui shared insights into their artistic journeys, family influences, and perspectives on the power of art. Their work spans literary arts and storytelling, with workshops, community events, and YA assemblies and workshops: “The Magic of Storytelling,” “Self-Expression Through Self-Portraits,” and “Beadwork: Connecting to Community.”

The family’s artistic roots run deep, and Tchin describes their upbringing as “very creative.” Tailinh and Xiao Hui were immersed in art from a young age, along with their other siblings, TK and Taiyin. Tchin, who was educated at the Institute of American Indian Arts and Rhode Island School of Design, would bring his daughters with him to class. He spoke of his children growing up within creative communities, and for Tailinh, that has manifested into an organization that celebrates and educates about Indigenous arts and cultures. She spoke of her deep admiration for Tchin’s work and his impact, and their family bond was a source of pride and celebration. Xiao Hui echoed this, remembering a childhood where contributing to the family meant folding newsletters for her father’s jewelry shows at a young age. This was a home where creative problem-solving and independence were fostered.

The Family’s Connection to Indigenous People and Art

Tchin believes that Indigenous people, by necessity, have had to be especially creative. “If you want an outfit, you have to make it,” he stated, highlighting the resourcefulness and ingenuity inherent in their traditions. Tailinh added that in Indigenous communities, many artists are related in some way, and working together is a natural part of life. Xiao Hui noted that growing up in urban Brooklyn, her creative grounding largely stemmed from her immediate family and the resource constraints that spurred their ingenuity. “Why buy something when you can make it yourself?” she mused.

Tchin Discovers Storytelling

Tchin was initially focused on jewelry design, but he later found a powerful avenue for expression in storytelling. “Every Indigenous person is a storyteller,” he said, recalling his upbringing filled with tales shared by elders and the understanding that “words are sacred.” A serendipitous invitation from the Museum of Natural History led to his foray into performance storytelling, a medium that allowed him to share his knowledge and connect with audiences in a unique way.

Tchin and his daughters navigate the balance between tradition and innovation with thoughtful consideration. Tchin believes in allowing creativity to flow organically, saying, “You don’t want your ethnicity or heritage to be the whole of who you are, you want to be a creative person.” Xiao Hui notes that Tchin’s work is “rooted in tradition” but also carries his “own flair.” Tailinh points out that “pushing boundaries is a natural thing” in Indigenous art, even historically. 

The discussion illuminated the family’s shared belief in the importance of art in children’s lives. Xiao Hui declared that art should not be an optional extracurricular as it’s “the foundation of life.” Tchin emphasized that “art is everything,” blurring the lines between artistic expression and everyday existence. Tailinh pointed out that design, in all its forms, surrounds us, making art an integral part of our daily experience. From the toothbrush we use to the mattress we sleep on, “everything is designed and thought through,” she noted.

Hidden Secrets in Tchin’s Artwork

Tchin’s artwork often brings people joy and surprise through “hidden secrets.” He revealed his love for the element of surprise, a quality that extends to his performances. “I like that there are surprises in the storytelling and in my jewelry,” he shared, adding, “I always say: everyone knows how you present yourself, what your facade is, but they don’t know what’s in your mind and in your heart.”

The family’s dynamic was a testament to their strong bonds and shared values. They acknowledged their individual personalities and the occasional “growing pains” of working together, but ultimately, they functioned as a cohesive team, each member bringing their unique strengths to the table. Their upbringing, with Tchin as a work-at-home artist and their mother, WanWoo, working in the corporate world, was unconventional for its time. Tchin’s dedication to his children and his role challenged societal norms, leaving a lasting impression.

The Family’s Other Hobbies and Interests

Tchin loves making things, including music – his favorite hobby is learning the ukulele. He also has a love for audiobooks and is currently listening to Covered with Night by Nicole Eustace.

Xiao Hui is passionate about Indigenous, regenerative agriculture. She managed The Ashawaug Project at Ashawaug Farm in Rhode Island for the last two years and is now an agriculture business consultant and permaculture design student.

Tailinh enjoys reading chef biographies and recipes in her free time. She is also co-founder of Project Antelope, an online marketplace that connects Indigenous artists to the global art economy.

Where to Find More Information

The conversation was a reminder that creativity is woven into the fabric of life, and that the most profound art often arises from the bonds of family and the richness of tradition. More information about Tchin’s programs can be found here: https://yanjep.org/artist/tchin/ and We Are the Seeds can be found at https://yanjep.org/artist/we-are-the-seeds/. The family’s creative work can be explored further through these links: https://www.projectantelope.com/, https://www.tchinart.com/, https://www.ashawaugproject.com/.