As students are being released from their academic demands, artists are also gearing up to release several new albums set to hit airwaves this season. So while switching out closets with fresh summer clothes, it’s also the perfect time to trade in pop hits from the spring – like Lady Gaga’s “Chromatica” – for some sunny new tracks.

Flickering fireflies and tinkling ice cream trucks signal summer’s long-awaited arrival – and with the season comes a collection of rising artists who are bringing the summer heat.

The paintbrush is just as mighty as the pen or the sword.
Artists both within and outside of the UCLA community are taking advantage of their creative skill sets to support the Black Lives Matter movement, which has become increasingly active following the death of George Floyd.

Saveena Patel’s wonderland and reality are now one and the same.
The first-year ethnomusicology student will be competing in Spring Sing with her original song, “Wonderland,” which she will be singing with her ukulele.

Three ballerinas have finally set the barre – and set up their own ballet company too.
UCLA’s first ballet company, founded by Ada Chung, Ying Xuan Chua and Moe Kawakami, has been holding virtual Zoom events throughout spring quarter.

Metal is putty in Malia Zoraster’s hands.
With just pliers and coils of wire, the second-year business economics student started her own metal wire jewelry business, Mai’a Hawaiian Jewelry, last August in person and recently moved it onto Etsy.

This post was updated April 29 at 2:19 p.m.
Pius Kung is passing a camera around the world – metaphorically, of course.
The third-year film student is creating a documentary that showcases the various ways people are adapting to life under quarantine.

Though the world may be on pause, musicians play on.
In a world in isolation, UCLA musicians – students and alumni alike – continue to hone their craft.

Minh Mai said she wants to make secondhand fashion everyone’s first choice.
The fourth-year economics student co-founded NextBest, an online marketplace for secondhand clothing, with her brother, Hoa Mai.

As flowers begin to blossom and each day stretches on just a bit longer, spring signals a time to refresh – and while the earth rejuvenates, up-and-coming artists are ready to flourish, too.