CURRENT MISSION

Learn Japanese well enough to avoid embarrassing myself

ABOUT ME

Depending on who you spoke with, you may get very different answers. :)

On the whole though, my best friends would probably say that I am considerate, easy-going, funny, relatively adventurous, a loud laugher, sometimes sassy, but a lover of life. I adore cultural exploration -- food, language, music, art, dance, theater... definitely a people-person!

I'm certainly not afraid to get my hands dirty or hike down into a gorge, especially to take amazing photos! Life is too short not to create, laugh, experience, explore, taste, discover, share, and live! I love exploring new restaurants and new food. I will celebrate almost anything (I LOVE a festival).

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I haven't Couchsurfed as much as I would like to, but the few occasions that I have I've met the most incredible people. I love traveling, and my BF and I take big trips every summer. In our travels we've taken a camel safari in the Sahara desert (ask me about my camel "going rogue"), I've played piano for the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, and been peed on by a monkey (eww). Making friends along with making memories is why I'm on Couchsurfing!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I stayed with an absolutely charming, 73-year old woodworker named Carol in the Finger Lakes region of New York (near Ithaca).

A charming bohemian alpaca/peacock/goat/chicken farm (run by Andrea), also in the Ithaca area. Amazing hospitality, incredible kitchen! Loved the jam session and just drinking wine with her on her little commune.

Maya in Montreal was an exceptional treat -- took us on a truly local tour of her city (including a midnight "short cut" through pitch black woods up a mountain!). I enjoyed our late night chats about religion, politics, French-Canadian theatre, and food.

Interests

Music is my life -- I have played piano since I was four years old, and singing for just as long. I have played nearly every instrument (although not particularly well), but am always striving to better my craft and my art. I've completed my Master's degree in Jazz Studies (Composition/Arranging, emphasis in Vocal Jazz), and work as a music director and ballet accompanist. I tour as the company pianist with the Dance Theater of Harlem, a contemporary ballet company.

Five of my favorite classical composers are: Mozart, Debussy, Ravel, Copland, Gershwin.
Five of my favorite jazz artists are: Kurt Elling, Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall, Jamie Cullum, Ella Fitzgerald (of course!)

I am active in musical theater as an actor and Music Director -- I thrive in collaborative, creative environments that challenge an ensemble to solve problems and create art together.

I also enjoy painting and drawing, particularly watercolors and acrylics. I have just started getting into photography, which pairs exceptionally well with my love of travel. Fiber arts are another passion of mine: knitting, crocheting, spinning, dyeing... I love it! I love the idea of passing the time in a low-tech way, carrying on a timeless tradition of beautiful and inventive utilitarianism.

I love cooking and exploring new food.... maybe I just really love eating. I love taking photos, hearing music, going to festivals, hiking, relaxing over a few drinks, and laughing with new friends!

• arts
• singing
• theater
• folklore
• performing arts
• photography
• acting
• festivals
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• running
• drinking
• politics
• technology
• traveling
• socializing
• knitting
• painting
• drawing
• music
• jazz
• piano
• blues
• hiking
• surfing
• religion
• lakes
• food

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I recently had the amazing experience of traveling with my mentor to perform in the 2012 Fiji International Jazz and Blues Festival. It was such a sobering thought, traveling to the opposite side of the planet to share my talents with kindred spirits in music. And what an experience! Meeting people from Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji... Staring out into the vast Pacific Ocean, standing on the edge of the world. The sunsets, the sunrises! What a magical experience.

Quite a different experience was when I was finishing my final year of college (undergraduate), and was fortunate enough to be cast as the lead in a huge musical theater production. The entire process was wonderful, but stepping forward in the final production to thunderous applause -- intoxicating, overwhelming... there's not a feeling like it! I was going through an immensely difficult time in my life, but feeling this surging sense of gratification, support, adoration, and love (not just from the audience of my friends and peers, but from my fellow cast members)... inspiring.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Cuba, Fiji, France, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States