Hometown: Woodbridge, CT
Majors: Anthropology and Creative Writing
So I hear you took a year off before coming to Brandeis—What did you do while you were in Israel?
I studied Fine Art at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem, Israel. I’d never been away from home for more than a month before, so my gap year was an invaluable opportunity for me to get my shpilkes out before college, gain some independence in an exciting foreign country, and acquire new approaches to art.
Can you tell me about Brandeis Beats? Can you give us some information about the DEIS Impact event that you guys are involved with?
Brandeis Beats bridges the gap between Waltham residents and Brandeis students through drum circles and music workshops. We have a great collection of drums to experiment with, and I look forward to the warmer weather so we can host some really cool outdoor events. But our upcoming workshop, Peacemaking Beats, is happening as part of the Deis Impact Festival on Sunday, Feb. 10, 7-10 PM in the Alumni Lounge, Usdan. We have Professor Cynthia Cynthia Cohen, director of Brandeis University’s Program in Peace building and the Arts, discussing the contributions of the arts, especially music and rhythm, to creating social justice and peace. Following the discussion, we will host an interactive Waltham/Brandeis community drum circle led by world drummer and teaching artist, Jeremy Cohen of This World Music. It’s going to be a blast. Social justice and music…could it get any better?!
Do you play any instruments yourself? What got you involved in music?
I play drums and piano. I was really fortunate to grow up with all kinds of instruments lying around the house (my dad is a musician, sings and plays piano). All I had to do was pick up an instrument and play.
Are you also a Bronfman Youth Fellow? What does that mean?
My Junior year in high school, I was selected as one of 26 young Jews from the US and Canada for a 5-week, all-expenses-paid summer program in Israel. We met all sorts of interesting Jewish thinkers, authors, artists, and educators… studied some incredible Jewish texts. It was awesome! There’s also an extensive alumni network, which supports past fellows long after the fellowship has ended. The BYFI Campus Ambassadorship is one such alumni program, that has helped me launch Brandeis Beats!
I hear you are pretty stylish—how would you define your personal style?
Oof. It’s all over the place. I really like funky patterns and colors. Most of my favorite interesting clothes are from my mother, grandmother, aunt, uncle, or other family members. Wearing clothes that once belonged to people I love makes me feel connected to them wherever I go.