A Life Beyond Music
Music is at the center of my life, but my interests extend far beyond the stage. My academic and personal journey has taken me into environmental science, social research, education, cultural exchange, and community work, often finding connections between these areas and music.
Environmental Science & Research
Alongside my music studies, I pursued Environmental Science at Oakland University and spent time in Ecuador studying field ecology. My interest in environmental research continued through work at SeaLife Aquarium, where I studied green sea turtle husbandry, space use, enrichment, and agonistic behavior.
My research, “Male Green Sea Turtles in Captivity: A Study on Husbandry, Space Use, and Enrichment Practices in Relation to Agonistic Behavioral Interactions,” was published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology.
Arts, Community & Social Impact
My interest in music extends into questions of community, poverty, homelessness, and the role of the arts in society. Through volunteering with Micah 6 in Pontiac, Michigan, I became interested in understanding the challenges surrounding poverty and homelessness in the community.
My research paper, “Poverty and Homelessness in Pontiac, Michigan,” examined these issues and received the OU Libraries’ Frank Lepkowski Undergraduate Research in Writing Scholarship and Award.
Building on this interest, I also researched how government policy and the arts can work together to address poverty and homelessness. My paper, “Arts Integrating Government Policy and the Arts: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Poverty and Homelessness,” explored the potential for combining public policy and artistic initiatives as complementary approaches to social challenges.
I also participated in a U.S. State Department Diplomacy Lab project, “Youth and Pan-Africanism through the Lens of Ubuntu and the Arts,” collaborating with colleagues connected to Burkina Faso and Uganda. The project was presented to the U.S. Embassy in Burkina Faso.
Culture, Travel & Learning
Travel has been an important part of my education. My studies have taken me to Ghana and Uganda, where I explored music, dance, and cultural traditions through firsthand learning and research.
I wrote the ethnomusicology research paper “Music, Dance, and Song: The Essential Trilogy of Ghanaian Culture,” exploring the intersection of these three disciplines and their role within Ghanaian culture. I also wrote “Reflection on my Time in Ghana,” exploring my experiences with the country, its people, history, and cultural traditions.
I have also spent time in Brazil, learning Portuguese and exploring Brazilian musical and cultural traditions, including elements of capoeira, samba, and bossa nova. These experiences continue to influence the way I understand music as a form of cultural connection.
Teaching Beyond Music
My passion for education extends beyond musical instruction. I am TEFL-certified and trained through the International TEFL Academy, and I have taught English to students in Brazil and Taiwan.
Teaching in different cultural environments has strengthened my belief that education is not simply about transferring knowledge—it is also about connection, curiosity, communication, and learning from one another.
>Contact me
Let's make music together
Whether you’re looking to book a performance or start lessons, I’d love to hear from you.
