Student Spotlight

What kind of art do you make? What inspires you?

I love to combine theatre, music and dance because all three are very moving and vital to me. Passionate, creative people inspire me and Cornish is full of them. It's wonderful.

When in your life did you first become involved in your artistic discipline? What influenced you to become involved in the arts?

My father was the head of the theatre department in Kalispell Montana when I was a little girl and took me to his rehearsals. He tells stories about me sitting at the side of the stage saying all the lines, singing all the songs and doing all the dances when I was still in diapers. There has really never been anything else I wanted to do.

What are your current projects?

Right now we are opening the Sophomore Capstone project. Working on all our basic classes. I'm also in a group called Kumpania Paramitsha, we perform at Renaissance faires around the area doing bellydance and singing and other skit like activities. I've also been involved with the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan society and look forward to doing more work with them.

Where are you from? How is Seattle different?

I was born in Kalispell, Montana. My father and I moved out here when I was 9 and have lived in North Seattle ever since. Its very different from Montana. There is a lot more theatre and art, better restaurants and much more to do.

Why did you choose to come to Cornish?

I had been working as a receptionist and administrative assistant and had been forced into the position of quitting my job. I was searching frantically for another administrative gig and had an offer to do a 5 day temp job. I didn't want to do it. I had one of those 3 am epiphanies: "What am I doing? I dont want to work in an office, I dont want to be an administrative assistant! I want to Act! So I got back into it starting with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society's production of H.M.S. Pinafore and while there I did some research on Cornish and thought I would try to come, it was all very last minute. I filled out the application the last week of July, had my audition August 7th and found out August 9th I had made it.

What has been your experience here?

I have never been so challenged in my life. But its all been very good for me. The faculty is remarkable, they really know there stuff and are passionate about it. They have pushed me and supported me. My classmates have become my family. We have learned more about each other in the last 2 years than it takes most people decades. We work hard, sleep little and still find time to have fun with each other.

What quirky hobbies do you have?

I'm learning to Bellydance right now and also enjoy painting and writing.

What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?
Well hopefully I'll be really busy acting and doing other great creative things. I'm also interested in Directing and using drama as therapy. My ultimate goal some day is to have a performing arts retreat center where people can come and study, take workshops etc, also have camps for kids.

What would you tell a prospective student about Cornish?

It's lots of hard work, but if you are serious about learning your craft, then Cornish is a wonderful place to be. Come check it out and sit in on some classes and talk to students.

What is your creative process?

My process varies from project to project. Cornish has been wonderful about giving me more skills to use.