Asian Culture & Media Alliance Staff Members

Cathlyn Choi (she/her/hers) is the founder and Executive Director of Asian Culture and Media Alliance. She is also the host and producer of Asian Voices featuring Asian culture, history, businesses, artists and events in Southern California. As an expansion program to Asian Voices TV, she recently launched Asian Voices Radio Podcast. Dubbed "Korean Food Ambassador" by the media, Cathlyn is a media personality and community activist. A multi award winning TV show host and producer, Cathlyn produced the first Korean TV cooking show in English on PBS called “Cathlyn’s Korean Kitchen" from 2008-2012.

Eric Michelson (he/his/him) is the Creative Director and Take One Instructor at ACMA. He is also the co-producer, DP and editor of Asian Voices TV series. Eric is the owner of Carma Media Productions and has over 20 years of tv/film and video production experience including producing, directing, writing and editing. His experience includes corporate training programs, commercial spots, music videos, live fashion and music events to short films and documentaries. Eric provides direction both on-camera and behind the scenes for all ACMA projects.

Yigithan Bal (he/his/him) is a media arts creator who moved to the US from Ankara, Turkey in late 2017. Ever since he held a camera in his hands, he has been creating and sharing his creative vision with the world through digital media, as a photographer, video producer, and editor. He joined ACMA in early 2021 assisting with various media projects involving Asian Voices, Pacific Cultural Showcase and SanDISCA video projects including digital marketing efforts.

Jane Lee-Perry (she/her/hers) has 17 years of experience in the broadcasting industry. Jane has also built her acting experience by playing Gini in ACMA’s short film "Butterfly". Jane holds a Master of Cultural Journalism from University of Westminster in London, UK. A content creator of YouTube channel Serene Teaching, Jane is a published author of OPIc Punch series focused on business interview skills in English. Previously, Jane was a TV & Radio reporter at Arirang TV in Korea where she also did voice acting for TV commercials. 

Ryan Stanly (he/his/him) is an emerging filmmaker and musician. He has been interested in storytelling and creating visual media content since he was 13. Since 2014, Ryan has written, produced and edited . He currently operates his own production business called Ryan Stanly Productions providing production and post production services. Ryan graduated from ACMA's Take One program in 2019, and has been assisting with production of Asian Voices TV including as assistant instructor for Take One program.

A graduate of ACMA's Take One Program 2021, Merrienne (they/she) is a first-generation Filipino-American who works to expand and promote the mission of ACMA through digital media and community outreach. With a BA from UC San Diego in Literature and Media and dual minors in Ethnic and Film Studies, Merrienne is charged with providing platforms for BIPOC/AAPI and queer communities.  

Clara (she/her/hers) is a graduate of the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. She holds a deep appreciation for art of all mediums. She is always looking for an excuse to exercise the right side of her brain, and does so mainly through music and photography. In her spare time, Clara enjoys reading, traveling, and dog walking.

Prema Smith (she/her/hers) was born in the PNW and raised by her Indian mother and Scottish father. She split her time between the city and the countryside, growing up somewhere in-between. As a graduate of the University of Washington, Prema has a bachelor's in Creative Writing and Socio-Cultural Anthropology. Some of her influences include, Paul Farmer, Micah Bickham, Aube Perrie and Mari Okada.