Story + Experience

Education
2016 - 2020
Bachelor's of Arts
English and Environmental Studies
St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York
I hold a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and English from St. Lawrence University, where I focused on environmental systems, writing, and place-based storytelling. During my time there, I served as an outdoor guide for the St. Lawrence Outdoor Program, leading climbing and backcountry trips, and was a member of the Java House, a student-run music venue where I helped produce weekly concerts and manage event logistics.
2022-2024
Bachelor's of Music
Music Business and Violin
The Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam, Potsdam, New York
I earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Business with a concentration in violin performance from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, graduating summa cum laude. My studies combined performance training with coursework in music industry operations, finance, marketing, and music technology, providing a strong foundation in both the creative and business sides of the field.
Path and Practice
I am a storyteller shaped by landscape, music, and human connection. My work exists at the intersection of communication, visual narrative, and performance—built from a foundation that is both deeply creative and highly intentional. Everything I create, whether through writing, photography, music, or paint, begins with the same instinct: to observe closely, to understand fully, and to translate that understanding into something that resonates with diverse audiences.
My academic and creative path has never followed a single line, but that has become one of my greatest strengths. I earned my degree in Environmental Studies and English from St. Lawrence University, where I developed a deep sensitivity to place, community, and the power of language. My education taught me how to think critically, write with clarity, and approach storytelling as both an art and a responsibility. In place of studying abroad, I chose to enroll in St. Lawrence's Adirondack semester, an immersive, place-based program centered on environmental fieldwork, sustainable living, and community engagement. Living with no running water and minimal electricity off-grid in a yurt village in the Adirondacks, I studied ecology and history of the region through direct observation, hands-on research, and daily interaction with the natural environment. My semester concluded with an internship at North Country Creamery in Keeseville, NY where I had a hands-on roll in tending to and milking the cows as well as great responsibility in the creamery making yogurt and cheese. This experience strengthened my understanding of environmental systems while reinforcing a lifestyle rooted in simplicity, intention, and connection to place. It continues to influence my work across mediums, shaping how I approach storytelling, visual composition, and subject matter with a focus on landscape, agriculture, and the relationship between people and their environments.
During my time at St. Lawrence, I also lived in the Java House, a student-run music venue and creative living space where I helped book, plan, and produce weekly concerts at the Java Barn. Working alongside a team, I contributed to managing a substantial budget and fostering a vibrant, collaborative music community on campus—an experience that deeply shaped my love for live performance and artist support. It was also during this time that I began developing my practice in oil painting, using it as a way to capture portraits, landscapes, atmosphere, and a strong sense of place—an artistic discipline I continue to evolve.
My musical journey began not in a classroom, but during summers spent at ranch camp in Wyoming, where nights singing folk songs around the campfire sparked a lasting passion for music. What started with singing and guitar grew into a deeper pursuit, eventually leading me to enroll at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After I graduated from St. Lawrence in 2020, I pursued a parallel path in music, eventually earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Business from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, graduating summa cum laude. My entry into this world was unconventional; I began playing the violin only a year before auditioning, without formal classical training and without the technical fluency many of my peers had developed over a lifetime. What I did have was instinct, a strong ear, emotional connection, and a willingness to work relentlessly. Through mentorship, discipline, and a deep commitment to growth, I was able to transform that initial passion into a formal education and a professional foundation. That experience shaped not only my musicianship, but my ability to adapt quickly, take risks, and pursue opportunities that require both courage and resilience.
Across both of my degrees, I developed a multidisciplinary skill set that allows me to move fluidly between creative and strategic work. My background in writing, research, and communications enables me to craft narratives that are clear, engaging, and aligned with a larger purpose. At the same time, my training in music and performance has given me a strong sense of timing, emotion, and audience awareness, skills that translate directly into content creation, branding, and storytelling.
Professionally, my experience has centered on communications, digital media, fundraising, and event production. I have worked across a range of environments, from nonprofit conservation organizations to music and arts institutions, each of which has deepened my understanding of how to communicate effectively with different audiences.
My time at Teton Valley Ranch Camp in Dubois, Wyoming, where I worked as a girls camp counselor, kitchen staff member, and fly fishing backcountry trip guide, played a significant role in shaping both my character and creative perspective. Working across these roles required adaptability, leadership, and a strong work ethic, while also fostering a deep appreciation for collaboration and community. Guiding backcountry fly fishing trips in particular strengthened my connection to the natural world and sharpened my ability to lead, problem-solve, and remain present and cautious in dynamic environments. I absolutely loved playing music for campers, teaching music lessons, and instilling a passion for community music that I myself received as a young camper at Teton Valley Ranch Camp.
During my time as a Visual Media and Communications Intern with the Henry’s Fork Foundation in Ashton, Idaho, I was immersed in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment where I contributed to photography and communications campaigns, while also supporting fieldwork, events, and collaborative projects. I quickly learned how to operate within a small, highly effective team, where adaptability and initiative were essential. Over time, I took on increasing responsibility, learning the broader context of the organization’s work and elevating my contributions to match the needs of the team. The content I produced during that time continues to be used in the organization’s publications, which speaks to both its quality and its lasting relevance .
In the spring of 2021, I traveled to Ocean View, Hawaii to WWOOF at Tai Shan Farms, a dragonfruit farm and community farmstand. There, I completed a work-trade in both agricultural and culinary roles—tending dragonfruit crops and the apiary, while also gaining experience in a commercial kitchen with a focus on gluten-free baking. I developed photo-based marketing campaigns for the farmstand and restaurant, strengthening my skills in visual storytelling and small business promotion. The experience also grounded me in the Ocean View community and served as a capstone to my time at St. Lawrence, bringing together my interests in environmental studies, food systems, and creative communication.
In my work as a Social Media Intern with Rhonda and Company, I developed hands-on experience in digital marketing and content strategy. I managed social media accounts, created graphics and written content, collaborated with clients and artists, and analyzed performance metrics to inform future campaigns. This role strengthened my ability to think both creatively and analytically—developing content that not only looks and feels compelling, but also performs effectively across platforms .
I have also built a strong foundation in photography and visual storytelling, using DSLR cameras to capture environments, people, and experiences in a way that feels both authentic and intentional. My approach to photography is rooted in observation and presence. I am less interested in staging moments and more interested in recognizing them as they naturally unfold—capturing not just what something looks like, but what it feels like to be there.
Most recently, as the Special Events and House Manager for the Portland Symphony Orchestra in Portland, Maine, I operated at the intersection of logistics, audience experience, and performance. In this role, I was responsible for ensuring that events run seamlessly while maintaining an atmosphere that feels welcoming, thoughtful, and aligned with the organization’s mission. This work required a balance of precision and adaptability, managing details, coordinating with patrons and musicians, and responding to challenges in real time. It has strengthened my ability to lead, communicate clearly, and contribute to environments where people feel both supported and engaged. Additionally, I planned and executed major donor and fundraising events, including the Forte auction and gala, coordinating logistics, auction items, vendors, timelines, and event flow from conception through completion. Through coordinated event design, donor engagement, and seamless on-the-night execution, the 2025 Forte event achieved a record-breaking fundraising total, marking the highest amount raised in the event’s history at that time. The success reflected a collective effort across the organization, and I contributed by helping shape an experience that encouraged generosity, connection, and strong participation from attendees.
One of my greatest strengths is my ability to connect with people. I am naturally conversational and comfortable engaging with a wide range of individuals, which allows me to gather stories, perspectives, and insights in a way that feels genuine. I was born and raised in downtown Chicago, but have also spent extended time in rural communities including Ashton, Idaho; Dubois, Wyoming; the North Country of New York; Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and Ocean View, Hawaii. Moving between these vastly different environments has given me a grounded ability to understand and connect with a wide range of people, perspectives, and ways of life. This has been essential in my ability to create content that reflects diverse voices and experiences, whether I am working with students, artists, community members, or organizational leaders .
I am highly adaptable. I am comfortable stepping into new environments, learning quickly, and contributing meaningfully without needing extensive direction. I have worked in settings that require both independence and collaboration, and I am able to navigate that balance with ease. My experiences have taught me how to manage multiple responsibilities, think critically under pressure, and maintain a high level of attention to detail while still keeping the broader vision in mind.
At its core, my work is about creating connection—between people, places, ideas, and experiences. I am interested in opportunities that allow me to continue exploring that connection through thoughtful storytelling, creative collaboration, and meaningful work. I am drawn to environments that value both artistry and intention, where communication is not just about visibility, but about impact.
Everything I create is an extension of that belief.































