April 8, 2016

I come from a musical family, so I've been surrounded by music for most of my life which is something I am incredibly grateful for. I've been playing the cello since I was seven, involved in orchestra since I was nine, as well as chamber groups and summer festivals through high school. I have participated in the Chicago Suzuki Summer Institute, the Colorado Suzuki Institute at Beaver Creek, and the CICA International Music Festival. I have had the privilege of studying with Carlton McCreery and Ariana Arcu; as well as Carey Cheney, David Evenchick, and Amy Sue Barston at summer institutes. I won the Huntsville Music Studies Club Joyce Green Strings Competition (2010,2012) and the HYO Russell Gerhart Scholarship Competition. In addition to cello, I also enjoy writing, art, and drinking copious amounts of coffee.

It's very important to me to stay active in a music ensemble, so joining an orchestra was on my list when looking at colleges. I was excited to join Drexel's inaugural year as a full symphony orchestra, where I have enjoyed the repertoire as well as the opportunity to perform with the guest soloists. I really appreciate Ms. Rosalind Erwin's effort in cultivating a full orchestral sound from the University Orchestra yet keeping it a fun and engaging place for non-music majors. Orchestra night is a special time out of the week when I can come together with other students to unwind and make music.

I'm a sophomore physics major, with a focus in astrophysics. Currently I am conducting research with Dr. Gordon Richards in the Department of Physics, where I am looking for a bias in selection of black holes for reverberation mapping, with the Hubble Space Telescope. I think that physics and music are both similar in observing the intricacy and beauty of the universe around us, and reflecting that in different ways.

As musical expression is an integral part of my identity, I plan on continuing my cello studies and staying involved in chamber and orchestral ensembles through Drexel and beyond.