I grew up listening to my dad play music all the time: before he left for work, in the evenings, and before I went to sleep. It evidently rubbed off on me as I now sing, write music, and play piano and guitar. Music has been one of the major ways I’ve connected with people throughout my life, from sharing the interest with my dad, to forming lasting friendships with bandmates and bonding over favorite artists with new friends.

Of my interests, theater takes up the majority of my time. It’s been one of the most formative parts of my life and has taught me to improvise in high-pressure situations, balance enjoying myself with working hard and be more attuned to the needs of my mind and body. Some of my favorite productions to perform have included Hadestown and She Kills Monsters. The experiences I had in each were very different–in Hadestown (a modern interpretation of a greek myth about doomed lovers Orpheus and Eurydice), I was one ensemble member in a huge cast with an incredible tech and stage crew team behind us. Contrastingly, She Kills Monsters (a fantastical DnD inspired play set in the 90s) was a tiny production in which I played the lead, choreographed and taught all the fight sequences, and helped with various technical and stage design aspects. These opposing experiences taught me a lot: I learned how to work as a part of a large team and take up as little space as I could, and how to step into a leadership role and own my contributions to a project.

When I’m not rehearsing, training or studying I spend a lot of time thinking about sustainability. Visible mending is an important component of that because not only does it keep clothes out of the landfill but it strengthens peoples’ relationships with their wardrobes and acts as a physical conversation starter about environmentalism and the fashion industry. When I mend clothes, I hope the impact extends beyond my wardrobe (or that of whoever’s clothing I’m mending), and into my community and environment.

While I love to talk music, mending and performing, my favorite thing is to hear about other people’s passions. If you see me around, I’d love to hear about the parts of your life that have impacted you the most!