I am a graduating super senior at Hastings College (that means 5 years and almost done!), studying instrumental music education as well as painting, I really enjoy creating and experiencing art and music through their various outlets, I'm always eager for new experiences and I really love to meet new people. Although I can be a bit shy at first meeting, I enjoy very much sharing stories and experiences with people. I am passionate about animation, composition, my family, and my catholic faith.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've been meaning to travel a great deal more in my life - and I feel that couch surfing is a far more personable way to travel than staying in some fancy hotel. I want to get to know the people as well as the place I am visiting, and CouchSurfing is an excellent outlet for this. What better thing to do when traveling than make new friends? My roommate Lauren Maystrick is a CouchSurfer, she told me about the program, and we had several visitor's come to our house to stay through the website! They were all lovely people and the experience created many good memories.

Interests

I enjoy greatly painting, drawing, writing music, playing piano, euphonium and trombone! I also love to learn new things. I enjoy both being able to work in solitude and to be in the company of others. I love good humor, good scary stories, and good food very much. I also like to fish, and to play backyard basketball/football, although I'm terrible at it.

• fish
• arts
• writing
• education
• dining
• movies
• video games
• traveling
• painting
• drawing
• music
• piano
• instrumental music
• fishing
• surfing
• basketball
• soccer
• animation
• divinity
• teaching
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

I love a great deal of musics -- Logan Whitehurst, Tally Hall, They Might Be Giants -- are among my favorite artists, but all encompassing-ly I love classic rock, videogame music, film scores, classical and baroque, band music, violin solo music, and electronic and dance music, geek rock, indie, as well as some rap and country if its good.

For Movies, well, I like Star Wars and especially Lord of the Rings. In general I like anything that's funny but isn't over the top offensive or nasty. I'm a big fan especially of movies by Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro), Pixar, and Wes Anderson. I'm also a big Monty Python Fan. Watching movies is one of my favorite things to do, and I'm always looking for a new great film! (Especially if its animated or artful! The best films are well shot and have a plot.)

My favorite book is probably the Hobbit, followed by the rest of Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I also really love Sherlock Holmes Stories, anything by C.S. Lewis (although I don't think he's as good as Tolkein in the realm of fiction), and books on theology/philosophy. Recently I've been taking a liking in old short ghost stories. I particularly like the works of Guy de Maupassant, Algernon Blackwood, and H.P. Lovecraft.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Well, this year I think one of the most gratifying things I've done was put together a composition recital for Hastings College through my music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. It was a non-major recital, so anyone in the school could write and audition either a composition or arrangement they made. I made a logo and posters and put them up around campus myself. I was very pleased with how it all turned out, I got to showcase an arrangement of my own and so did many others, music and non-music majors alike - to whom I was glad to give the opportunity!

Teach, Learn, Share

In so much as I can teach, I'm learning to become a instrumental educator and artist, so If you want rudimentary band lessons I can give those. I really enjoy talking about art, history, music, theology, and practice, and as an artist I'm always eager to receive help with my work and to help others with theirs as well however I can! 2 of my roommates are among the most talented artists I've ever met, so art is a welcome topic! My other roommate is a talented organist, so there is much to discuss!

I love to introduce people to my friends because they are wonderful. I've lived in Hastings for 5 years so I know my way about the town, I can point you to the good places to eat and things to do - and my friends and I are happy to hang out, play video games, watch movies, or go to the YMCA and be terrible at basketball.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share my time and artistic experience and am very eager to do so. I think I have a good sense of humor, at least, people often laugh at me - not really sure what thats about... I'm eager to get to know the people who are staying with my roomates and I, and equally eager to get to know the people that host me. I really like to tell stories and to hear them - I'm good at listening. I'm also eager to share my faith experiences if anyone is interested - its a big part of my life, but I'm not about forcing it on people. I'll be happy to share my music or art with you as well, and LOVE to listen if you're a musician. And, if you want a drawing or painting I can make you one!

Countries I’ve Visited

Jamaica, Mexico

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States