Projects 2009

My main focus for the past several years has been on my performing, but as I am undeniably an academic at heart, there are a few other projects to which I devote my time. I am currently in the New York metro area and am available for collaborations of all kinds.

Languages: An ongoing and life-long project of mine has been the learning of languages. I have studied French, German, Italian, Russian, and Korean. I have worked as a tutor for students of French and German and have taught English as a Second Language. I also was involved in the creation of audio recordings for foreign language testing exams. I believe that the ability to communicate with people from other countries and cultures is one of the most important skills one can posess, not only as an artist but as a human being. I am always interested in working with people who can teach me new languages or who want to practice their current language skills with me.

Global Affairs: Since returning to the New York area, I have been attending conferences and lectures at both the Center for Global Affairs at New York University, and the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University. In the fall of 2008, I began taking courses towards a Certificate in Global Affairs at NYU. I am specifically interested in International Relations, Security and Development.

Physics, Mathematics, and Medicine: While at Princeton, one of my favorite classes was in Astrophysics. My success in and enjoyment of the subject matter sparked in me an interest in pursuing my abilities in this field, and exploring the ways in which I could combine that knowledge with my music studies. I intend to eventually continue my research in mathematics/physics and psychoacoustics, and develope some new writings on my findings, however, this research has taken a back seat to my current projects at the moment. In the meantime, if you would like to be directed to some researchers whose work interests me right now, please contact me. My other scientific areas of fascination include immunology and medical technology. I read frequently about developments in these fields and am always greatful to those who can point me in the direction of new and interesting research.

The New Jersey Song Book: As a composer, one of the projects I started working on towards the end of my time at Peabody is called "The New Jersey Song Book". It is my attempt to break free from the confines of traditional notation and song composition styles and create a new kind of "Song Book" that is as much a piece of visual art, theater, and a coffee table conversation piece as it is music. Humorous and satirical, this piece will draw from my experiences growing up in North Jersey and will poke fun at many stereotypes. If are you are graphic artist and are interested in collaborating on this project, please contact me.