What is your favorite thing about Mount Holyoke? It’s hard to pick just one thing. I love how everyone’s so socially aware here. I love the campus itself, with all the trees and the two small lakes. I love that people are so friendly. I love that there are so many other queer folks here. I love that (pretty much) all the dorm buildings have a grand piano. I love the Pagan presence here, and the fact that there’s even a Pagan altar in the chapel (within a wonderful interfaith sanctuary). The classes offered are really cool too; for example, I was able to take a class called “Cyberpunk Grrls” as a first-year seminar, where we looked at gender and other social relations in the way they interact with science fiction and social media. I also heard that a class on witchcraft is offered every two years.
Which orgs do you belong to? I’m in the orchestra and klezmer ensembles (I play second violin in the orchestra, and both flute and violin in klezmer), the Pagan group, and the Unitarian Universalist group.
What do you like to do in your free time? I’m on social media more than I’d like to admit, especially Tumblr. I also like playing the piano and my other instruments, listening to music, watching Star Trek, hanging with friends, Skyping with my wonderful girlfriend, and doing witchy things (both in nature and in the interfaith sanctuary).
How long have you played piano? About 12 years; I started in second grade. I’ve been composing since middle school, which is also when I started violin and flute.
Who or what inspires you the most? I draw musical inspiration from the works of Secret Garden, George Winston, Debussy, SJ Tucker, Animusic, and many other sources. Ideas for music often come to me when I am either with a piano or in transit, such as walking or being on a bus. In general, I am inspired by the beauty of nature, the resilience of marginalized communities (such as the LGBTQ+ community which I have been active in since high school), the support and love from my girlfriend, and the idea of a better future which has been explored in science fiction and is being created by fighters and healers around the world.
What is your proudest achievement? I was very proud when during my senior year of high school, two of my original works were selected for professional performance in a music composition program I was participating in. That fall, a piano piece I wrote titled “The Dancer: Part II” was selected, and for the spring, a piece I wrote for string quartet and woodwinds titled “Vermont Variations” was not only selected, but played on local radio (as well as an interview with me about it). Here is a link to The Dancer: Part II.
How do you feel you have changed since coming to Mount Holyoke? Mount Holyoke has been one of the most affirming communities I’ve belonged to. There is so much diversity, but also so much common understanding and shared worldviews between students. I’ve also learned quite a lot here about music, history, and the world around me, and been given a lot to think about.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? I would end the systems of oppression that cause certain lives to be valued over others. I would also end capitalism, as it is linked to these systems.
What are your goals for the future? I would like to keep composing and playing music, and make a living out of it if possible. I would not mind composing for movies and/or teaching music. I would love to live in a house or apartment with my girlfriend, and possibly marry her at some point. Travel will also hopefully be part of my future.
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you want to go and why? I would love to explore Europe. I was able to go to France for 10 days in a high school trip, but I wouldn’t mind going back and/or going to other parts of Europe. I would definitely love to see Stonehenge, Malta’s Goddess temples, and other ancient Pagan sites. I also have interest in going to Bali, as it is not only a beautiful place but I’ve read a little bit about the spirituality there and it seems wonderful. India could also be very interesting. La Paz, Bolivia seems really cool too, partly because it has a museum of musical instruments.
What is your go-to Netflix show? Star Trek The Next Generation. I also love Sense8, Xena: Warrior Princess, and Avatar: The Last Airbender.
What advice would you give to first-years who are nervous about starting their second semester? You will be okay. Your worth is not defined by your productivity. At the same time, college is a wonderful unique experience that is certainly worth having. You have a lot of support here, and you have a lot of potential and skill; you wouldn’t be a student here if not. I believe in you, as does the rest of the college.
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