Hi there, I'm Danielle! I'm a writer, clown, performer, producer, and educator.

I grew up in Chicago in a Post-Soviet (Ukrainian) family, where I grew up speaking Russian and English and then learned French throughout my schooling. Other than Chicago, I've lived in Pittsburgh, Dusseldorf, Paris, Limoges, San Diego, and most currently, Philly! I've traveled around many parts of Western and Eastern Europe, as well as parts of the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Central America.

Living in France, I first studied there as a student at the Sorbonne, and later I worked as an English teaching assistant at a French technical school for designers. After France, I moved back to Chicago and continued to pursue my writing career and educational technology career. I also got back involved in theatre - in particular, clowning! - and the Burning Man community. After performing, writing, laughing, and running around Chicago for many years, I lived in San Diego for two years. Now, I have moved to Philadelphia, and looking forward to new adventures on the East Coast!

In my free time, you can find me clowning, writing, reading, exploring the streets, trying new restaurants, dancing at local concerts, and museum hopping.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I want to meet new people locally and abroad. I love travelling and try to save up enough every year to go see a new place, learn about a new culture and meet new friends.

Interests

Writing, singing, theatre, reading, exploring, going on adventures, museums, music, food glorious food, wine/beer/tequila, dancing, languages, ancient ruins, history

• culture
• writing
• literature
• singing
• performing arts
• design
• concerts
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• recipes
• wine
• beer
• news
• reading
• traveling
• music
• jazz
• hiking
• camping
• freelancing
• history
• languages
• volunteering
• going out
• outdoors
• vodka

Music, Movies, and Books

Books/Authors : Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, Chuck Palahniuk in general, Kurt Vonnegut in general, Paulo Coelho in general, History of Love by Nicole Krauss

Movies: My Big Fat Greek Wedding, An Education, Rum Diary, Garden State, Edward Scissorahnds

Food: Ukrainian food, German, Sushi, Thai, Chocolate, Red velvet cake

Music: Father John Misty, Andy Grammer, Bob Dylan, Noah and the Whale, Phantogram, The Mountain Goats (basically a lot of Alt Rock, Indie, but also Classic Rock and jam bands)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I got to interview and write an article about Mary Louise Parker (the main actor from the TV series Weeds).

Teach, Learn, Share

I speak Russian at a native level and French at an advanced level - I would love to practice with you and/or teach you some phrases! I also love cooking different kinds of cuisines, especially Eastern European food, so I would love to share that. I can sing you some songs; I trained to sing jazz professionally and used to perform in musical theatre productions and vocal performances. I can also teach you a great game called "The Fool." :)

What I Can Share with Hosts

Recipes, new games, languages, friendship :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Germany, United States