Dessa Shares Honest Advice on Being an Artist with Literary Arts Students
October 23, 2026
Writer, performer, and musician Dessa returned to Perpich Arts High School on October 23 to share an honest look at what it means to build a career as an artist. Speaking with Literary Arts students, the Minneapolis-based artist drew on her experiences as a rapper, singer, writer, and member of the indie hip-hop collective, Doomtree, to offer advice on creativity, collaboration, and finding a path forward.
Dessa spoke with Perpich Arts High School Literary Arts students on Friday, October 23rd. She has been visiting Kevin Lally’s classrooms for over two decades.
“Artist’s careers start before they know they start,” Dessa told students, encouraging them to recognize the value of the work they are already doing. Starting a band with a friend, practicing a story, or developing a skill all contribute to an artist’s future, even before that work becomes a career.
Dessa also challenged students to look beyond talent alone. Kindness, reliability, and a willingness to collaborate matter, she explained, often opening doors that technical ability alone cannot.
When it comes to choosing a direction, her advice was simple: “Do what you’re good at and what you love.” Students should pay attention to what makes them curious and excited to learn, she said, rather than focusing only on what they think they should do.
Throughout the conversation that including everything from picking a college major to choosing the best baking tools, Dessa encouraged students to keep building their skills, stay curious, and trust that their artistic journeys are already underway. Her return visit offered a candid reminder that becoming an artist is not just about reaching a destination. It is about the work, relationships, and discoveries along the way.
Dessa is a Minneapolis-based writer, rapper, singer, musician, and speaker known for blending thoughtful storytelling with music, poetry, and personal essays. A member of the independent hip-hop collective Doomtree, she has released several acclaimed solo albums, including Chime and Bury the Lede, and collaborated with the Minnesota Orchestra. She holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Minnesota and is the author of My Own Devices: True Stories from the Road on Music, Science, and Senseless Love, a collection of essays exploring creativity, relationships, and life as an artist. Through her work across multiple creative disciplines, Dessa brings a distinctive perspective to the art of writing, performance, and storytelling.
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