I am an artist and wanderer with a soft spot for exploring new places. By trade I am a musician, I play the viola (ever heard of it?) and the violin. I've been very lucky in that my work has allowed me to see the world. I perform in professional orchestras all around the mid-west, mostly everywhere between Iowa and Michigan. My career has taken me to the deep south, California, Colorado, Canada a few times, and even as far as Europe. It really is my passion and I enjoy bringing people together through music.

I am obsessed with cooking. Sometimes between work trips I only have a few hours at home before taking off again, and I use that time to make meals for my next adventures. My cooking style is quite fatty and spicy, much to the chagrin of my partner. I find excuses to cook even when I don't have to. There's just something so therapeutic about the transformation of simple ingredients to invent something greater than the sum of its parts. Just like with music, I also love to bring people together through the art of cooking.

I've lived in Chicago for 11 years now and I imagine I'll be here a while longer too. I would love to show you around to some of my favorite sites, restaurants, and things to do if you are visiting this wonderful city. There is a running and biking trail right next to Lake Michigan and from where I live you can get a really nice view of downtown. Also you can swim in the lake if it's warm enough!

I hope to keep using Couchsurfing to learn all about different cultures. So far everyone I have hosted and stayed with all had amazing stories and experiences to offer and I want to keep up the pattern!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing in concept is awesome! When I'm traveling, I could always book a hotel if I just want a place to sleep, but it's so much more fun to meet someone who knows about their area and explore it with them. They really can show you more about your surroundings, much more than you can learn through google or from walking around solo. I really appreciate this platform for that reason alone.

As a host, I would love to learn all about your culture and past experiences that made you who you are today! It's hard to think of really interesting things about yourself on the spot since it's all your normal, but the energy from hearing someone else's story can inspire you to appreciate things about your past as well!

Sometimes we all just want or ned a free place to crash for a night or two and that's also fine. If I'm ever in that situation I will be transparent about it in my request and would appreciate the same from prospective guests. Of course I would still exhibit common courtesy such as cleaning up after myself and probably bring a gift. I would much rather spend money on a gift for a generous host than use it to line the pockets of a giant hotel chain conglomerate.

Interests

Music, cooking, athletics and there's probably more. Any excuse to spend time outdoors; I'm more of a city explorer than a nature buff but I still enjoy the occasional hike. After all I spent 5 summers living in or right next to mountain ranges! Also sometimes I enjoy the thrill of being rebellious in my exploration and visiting restricted areas. Think rooftops, mountains off the beaten path, abandoned train platforms, theatre catwalks, etc . As a kid I would sneak into unfinished houses and that sense of adventure never never escaped me!

• acting
• running
• traveling
• music
• violin
• cycling
• hiking
• skiing
• viola
• amusement parks
• trying new foods
• cooking and baking
• adrenaline junkie
• public transportation

Music, Movies, and Books

My tastes are always changing so as an alternative to listing all my favorites of each category, I will list all of the films (movies) I have performed with live orchestra (music) and indicate whether or not they are based on a book (books). See what I did there?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (3x), based on a book
Ghostbusters, not based on a book, 0/10 recommend a a concert experience unless you manage to score free tickets
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, not based on a book
Jurassic Park (2x), based on a book

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I met someone new every day for 500 days straight, ask me more about it!

And there's the other obligatory unambiguously cool experiences as well:
-Skydiving in California and Florida
-Completed a 20-minute spicy ramen challenge for which I had to sign a liability waiver
-Biked to all 77 of Chicago's comunity areas
-Completed the 2016 Chicago Marathon
-Worked as a background actor for a number of movies and TV shows.
-Got confronted by two gangsters and didn't end up getting jumped. If you ask me about Christmas Eve 2016 I'll know you took the time to read my profile.

Teach, Learn, Share

If English is not your first language, I'd be happy to learn another one! Trying to learn Spanish at the moment so happy to practice with you. I guess that's more selfish of me than generous! I can also help you write a persuasive letter for a job, promotion, scholarship, etc. And if you need help eyeballing the perfect tupperware for your leftovers you know I gotchu.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can cook for you and/or take you out for a drink. I have a soft spot for dive bars. Also would be happy to give you a mini concert or your first music lesson if I have an instrument with me! I can also possibly offer a music concert suggestion or take you to one. If I'm hosting, I'll probably try to practice music in the morning once we are all awake, but I might be too distracted making you tea and chatting.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States