CURRENT MISSION

To learn a lot, especially about music, language, and culture.

ABOUT ME

I am originally from a small, agricultural community near Buffalo, New York, but have been traveling around for work and school since 2014.

PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy is one of my favorite areas of study, therefore, my own philosophy is an amalgamation of everything I've read on the subject, which includes authors from both Western and Eastern traditions.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Traveling is much more exciting when you can meet and talk to people from around the world while you do it. That's why I like to stay in hostels or couchsurf wherever I travel.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I had my first couchsurfing experience in Dublin. The host was wonderful. Since my friend and I were in Ireland to play traditional music, he encouraged us to play some tunes for him in his living room. He also played us some music from his Spotify list, which was quite comprehensive!

Interests

I study ethnomusicology at university. I like to play any instrument I can get my hands on, but particularly piano and guitar. I also play the fiddle and am attempting to learn several different fiddling styles. I have a background in Welsh trad, some styles of American fiddling (Appalachian, old-time, and bluegrass), and Irish trad. I like listening to a wide variety of music. I also like to play recreational sports. I am fairly unskilled at tennis and basketball, but they are fun anyway. Besides that, I really like learning languages. Sometimes I am quite an avid reader (usually when I don't have too much work at school). Going on nature walks, stargazing and lateral thinking puzzles also occupy a lot of my time.

• arts
• culture
• performing arts
• dancing
• reading
• traveling
• puzzles
• music
• guitar
• piano
• sports
• astronomy
• languages
• bands
• orchestra
• fiddle
• ethnomusicology

Music, Movies, and Books

Films - I don't watch many, but I do like a lot of Disney movies and Studio Ghibli films. I like anything in which Julie Andrews has starred and anything with Jackie Chan, whether or not it is a quality film.
Music - I like many genres. A-pop, classical, folk/traditional music from everywhere, film/video game soundtracks, bluegrass, classic rock, classical, and others. The Beatles are my favorite band, but Pink Floyd is second. Paul McCartney is my favorite artist of all time. I also love Joe Hisaishi, who has composed the soundtracks for many Miyazaki films.
Books - I read mostly classics, philosophical works, and young adult fantasy fiction. I tend to re-read things that I read when I was 10-14 years old. Diana Wynne Jones, Philip Pullman, and Garth Nix are my favorite authors. I also love children's books, especially books by Graeme Base because they've got puzzles!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I witnessed a total solar eclipse in Cardiff, Wales after staying up all night finishing a paper for one of my classes. My sleep deprived brain could hardly make sense of it!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you anything you want to know about music theory, in case that is of interest to you, and most things that fall into the realm of ethnomusicology. I can teach you a bit of guitar, fiddle, piano, ukulele, bass, or nearly any Western/European string instrument. I have at least a little bit of background in a lot of languages, so I can share some of that knowledge.

I like learning basically anything, not just the things I have listed in my interests. Besides music, language/culture, and sports, I also like learning about astronomy, quantum physics, chemistry, cooking, dance and other performing arts, world economics, politics...really anything someone would enjoy teaching me.
I am intrigued by international taste in popular music, so I am especially interested in learning about other people's taste in music!

What I Can Share with Hosts

If I have my fiddle with me, or if you happen to have a piano/any string instruments lying around, I'd be happy to play for you, especially if there is a particular piece of music you would like to hear!
I can also give you a lesson on the fiddle, guitar, bass, ukulele, or piano, if you like (free of charge, of course!).

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Austria, Canada, United Kingdom, United States