CURRENT MISSION

To learn as much as I can and keep my eyes/ears open.

ABOUT ME

I am a music teacher located in Westchester County, just a half hour train ride north of New York City. I've lived in different parts of the Hudson Valley for most of my life; it's a beautiful region with a lot of culture and rich history and nature. I just moved to my new town after living/studying/colleging in Potsdam, NY for the past three+ years.
My life has put me in many unique situations. When you are involved in music and education and all its different forms, one minute you could find yourself in a fancy dress bumping elbows with super important people, the next minute you could be on a filthy bus while a bedraggled stranger tells you their incredible life story. It's bewildering but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Fun fact, a few summers ago I was featured in a Reader's Digest article about economically strained college students and how they are changing the future http://www.rd.com/culture/meet-the-downsized-generation-millennials-who-are-rewriting-the-rules-for-success/
In spite of my last name, I must establish that I am not related to a John or Jane! I get asked that sometimes.

PHILOSOPHY

If you tighten the string too much, it will snap, and if you leave it too slack, it won't play.
I figure, wherever you are in the moment is where you're supposed to be.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I mostly participate by surfing. I look forward to offering a couch in the future, as it's important to pay it forward.
I prefer CS as an all-around sightseeing method; if you're going to travel, make some new friends while you're at it!
Short term CS goal is to see the rest of the US, and then someday parts of Europe, South America, Africa, etc. if you've been to any of the above, any stories or travel advice is helpful. I'm especially interested in shoestring travel.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Through CS I have seen much of upstate NY. I've also used CS to go to Vermont and Montreal. My favorite adventure was probably with my friend Jordan so see Lake Champlain for the first time and explore the Burlington jazz festival.

Interests

Music:
Classical
jazz
rock
alternative/indie
Bluegrass and folk/traditional
Lately I've been trying to get more into electronic techno and hip hop, but I have much to learn. If you are knowledgeable, teach me!
I love hiking and bicycling, when work/weather/time permits.
I used to be very involved in musical theater and dance (modern and ballroom) and I'm working to get my skills back. Right now I'm starting to learn about and focus on contra and yoga.

• culture
• singing
• theater
• festivals
• dancing
• education
• yoga
• traveling
• music
• jazz
• guitar
• piano
• hiking
• surfing
• teaching
• history
• study abroad
• sightseeing

Music, Movies, and Books

Books; Dr. Zhivago
Howard's End
Anna Karenina (still trying to finish it)
Tolkien
Movies;
Tootsie
Silence of the Lambs
there are too many...
TV;
Star Trek
Monty Python
Sherlock
Portlandia
Key and Peele
Wilfred
30 Rock
Parks and Recreation
Friends

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One time I did a study abroad in rural Jamaica where I taught music to children for two weeks. It was beautiful, heart-wrenching, and very eye-opening. I would love to go back someday if I can, or have a similar experience elsewhere. There's too much to describe; I'd be happy to tell you stories about it in person.

Teach, Learn, Share

A teacher once told me that if I ever felt that I had learned all there is to know about my profession, it would be time to pick a new career. Good thing too, because I find that the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.
So I compensate by daydreaming about all the cool new things I want to learn about and coming up with schemes to make it happen.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can teach you how to sing or play an instrument; piano, guitar, ukulele are my strongest but I know some others too.
I could maybe teach you some dance steps too if you like!

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Jamaica, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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