Jennifer Allie

I am a sophomore in the Dance Department, and I absolutely love it here! During my Freshman year, I made sure to participate in many activities especially those that were happening in the residence halls. I also had the great opportunity to participate in the Dance Department events including getting the chance to dance in the BFA show. As far as residence halls activities, I always loved participating in floor activities that were going on, such as, sleepovers or cooking parties because it was always a really great way to catch up with the people on my floor.

Moving to Seattle for college was also a very exciting move for me because it is such a great city with so much going on and so many cool places to visit. My favorite thing to do in Seattle would be to have out with my friends at Pike Place Market. It’s a fun way to get out and discover the city and also have a blast with your friends. And there’s lots of great food! Something else I absolutely love doing is going to watch Pacific Northwest Ballet performances because, as a dancer, it’s really important to experience dance shows.

My best piece of advice for new students would be to really get involved in fun activities around school because you meet really awesome friends doing so. I would also say to just be yourself when meeting new people because it is such and accepting and diverse school and everyone loves each other for whom they really are.

Yvette Agduyeng

I was born in the Philippines but raised in Washington. I am a Junior majoring in Interior Design. I am also the Events Coordinator of the Cornish Student Leadership Council. My favorite thing to do in Seattle is to get on a ferry and spend a day on an island! It’s fun exploring new places that I have never been before. Seattle is also known for its diversity of food. I love trying new types of food. I have never lived in a city where there is so much amazing food! I like spending my spare time outside, so when it’s not raining, I like to get out of the city and go hiking in the mountains. My piece of advice for incoming freshman would be to get involved or try to attend Cornish events as much as you can. The events held by your peers are the most important and most fun!!

Keenan Allsup

I am a theater major and I absolutely love it here. I am a returning member of the cheese tasting S.I.G. and I highly recommend it to any and all cheese lovers. Some of my favorite activities to do around Seattle include: going for a nice walk through the city, having a snack down on the waterfront, finding a new patch of nature around the city, and going to as many festivals as I can.

Some of the best advice I can give to incoming freshman is to find a place in or around the city where they can relax and refresh themselves. I would also say don't be afraid to be yourself because you are going to be surrounded by fellow artists who won't judge you. During your time with me, you'll find, hopefully, that you will be full of laughter, energy and smiles. I'm really excited to meet all of you.

Teunte Bennett

Sup Freshman Class of the 2012-2013 school year, how was your summer? My name is Teunte' (tee-on-Tay) Bennett. I study theater here a Cornish. I'm going on my seconded year now. I'm 19 years of old, will be 20 in May. I moved here from Grosse Pointe Park Michigan last August to attend Cornish and I've been here ever since. I came to Cornish straight out of High school, so I'm kind of a baby myself. Cornish is an awesome place to be if you’re looking to further your art career. Mainly because the teachers are great. But on the top of the teachers and Cornish being great, the city (Seattle), is great as well. (After about a semester of getting accustomed to things on the west coast.) I've soon learned that Cornish was the right choice for me. That's going to be your job as well. Maintaining focus during classes to get an accorded assessment if Cornish is also right for you. As one of your your Orientation Leaders this fall, my job is to aid you into creating a healthy first step into Cornish. Have a Great School year.

Kristin Ceresola

I am a Senior at Cornish College of the Arts. I am majoring in Motion Design. My favorite thing to do in Seattle is to go to Pike Place Market to see all of the cool shops and vendors. I have been living in the residence halls for the past three years and love it! While living in the halls I was a Resident Assistant for the past two years, helping my fellow residents feel welcome within their new home. While attending Cornish I was also involved in RHAC, which stands for Residence Hall Art Council. This is a great organization for you to get involved in. RHAC meets every Friday to discuss upcoming programs, hall improvements, and ways to build community within the halls.

One reason why I wanted to become an Orientation Leader was to contribute in building community and to get to know the incoming class. My best piece of advice to first-year students is to just be you, and to make time for yourself during the busy school year. I am so excited to be a part of orientation this year and can’t wait to meet you!

Regina Cohn

I am a Sophomore oboe performance major in the music department. I grew up in Seattle but moved to Idyllwild, CA for high school to live on campus at Idyllwild Arts Academy where I studied oboe. I learned about Cornish while I was there and moved back to Seattle to attend. I spend most of my time up in Kerry Hall for classes and practice, but I moonlight as a level four battle axe-wielding fighter dwarf named Oolgar in the Cornish Dungeons and Dragons Student Interest Group. I also sample very fine cheeses with the Cheese Tasters SIG. For me, the best thing about living in Seattle is being walking distance from the opera, ballet, and symphony. The best advice I can give to you is to go to the performances that Cornish offers, both for students and guest artists. Make friends in other departments and have them keep you informed of upcoming performances.

Lindsey Gay

I am a Sophomore Theatre student from Spokane, WA. I am currently a Performing Arts/Musical Theatre major, but I am also interested in Original Works and Music. Last year I sang in the fall opera, La liberazione di Ruggiero dall’isola d’Alcina. Some of my hobbies include singing, ballet, swimming, hiking, baking, writing, reading, and trying new things. While there are so many things to do in Seattle, my favorite things to do are see local theatre, explore the city, and just hang out with friends on Capitol Hill.

My advice to first-year students is to take full advantage of the time you have at Cornish to connect with other students and faculty members. I am so thankful for the many amazing people I was fortunate enough to meet my first year. Don’t be afraid to try new things and get involved in any way you can. Also, always be prepared for less-than-favorable weather!

Sara Henley-Hicks

I am a junior in the Theatre Department with a focus in Musical Theatre, most recently I performed in Cornish’s production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood as Rosabud. Theatre is my passion but, in my spare time away from school I enjoy playing and performing music which is very special to me and seeing amazing theatre around Seattle. Some people describe me as a little crazy, which is fine because I am! I cannot wait to begin this next year at Cornish with another new load of amazing talented students arriving.

Chelsea Hougan

I am a Junior in the Motion Design department. My interests include drawing, storytelling, playing Minecraft and many other exciting shenanigans. Animation and storyboarding are where my intrigue lies the most in Motion Design—Emphasis on the story boarding. I am also the proud co-captain/co-founder of the Cornish Quidditch Team! In the city, one of my favorite things to do is just walk and wander. There is always something happening in Seattle, you are almost guaranteed to bump into some excitement.

As for student to student advice, one of the most valuable things I could share is do not under-estimate your work load. Stay on top of things now because if you can’t keep up at this pace, you won’t be prepared for the following years when it increases dramatically. Make good choices!

Rose Kirshner

I am a Dance major in my final year here at Cornish College of the Arts. It feels like just yesterday I arrived with my dad on move-in day at the residence halls. Oh, how time flies when you’re having fun. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Cornish. I have learned so much, made many friends, and created a second family in the Cornish Community. I won’t say that it is all fun and games because I have also had to work my butt off. But it is all worth the amazing experience in Seattle.

I have one piece of advice for first-year students: invest in a pair of rain boots or waterproof shoes! If you dislike wet feet/socks as much as I do, then you will listen to my words of wisdom. I can’t wait to meet all the incoming students and share all the awesome things one can do at Cornish and in Seattle. This is going to be the best year yet!

Sierra Klingele

I’m a Music Major emphasizing in composition. I spend a lot of time playing music with Cornish groups and am very interested in the progress of the school and what President Nancy is introducing to Cornish. I attended several student leadership and RHAC meetings and events as well.

I am so in love with Seattle. I love walking down Broadway, hanging out in coffee shops, talking to homeless people, and I especially love the local talent/art scene. Make sure you get your $25 Cornish bus subsidy, there’s a lot of city to explore!

As an incoming Freshman I wish I would have known that there is no (or should be no) pressure to re-invent yourself. For most Freshman, it’s their first time leaving home and there are all kinds of social pressures to meet new friends, fit in, and “be cool.” It’s so important to just be yourself. Your first year away from home of in a new place should be filled with discovering who you are, what you’re passionate about, and what you stand for. Everything else will fall into place. Just be yourself, grow, and have fun!

Kathleen Le Coze

I am a Senior in the Performance Production Department focusing on scenic design. This will be my third time being an Orientation Leader and I love it because I get to learn about my future collaborators. Every person that comes to Cornish has a story, and they are always interesting and inspiring. Most importantly, I want to be able to run into you and ask you how your day was, or how your year is going.

A funny goal I have for myself is to see if I can take a class in every department before I graduate. Right now I am 4 for 6. I am also a proud Gold Card member at Starbucks. There is one conveniently located across the street from MCC and one down Westlake on your way to 9th Ave Studios. While I’m not at school I enjoy sleeping or watching Netflix.

Some things you should know about Cornish are: you are going to meet people here who’s names you will hear for the rest of your life, you will make lifelong friends, at least one person will understand where you are coming from, there is always something going on to see at Cornish, and most importantly, the faculty is super supportive! And a couple of things to remember: Freshman year is a time to grow as a person and an artist, being homesick is normal if you live 10 minutes away or 45 million miles away, and you are here to work you butt off for something you love! Welcome to our Cornish family!

Ansley Lee

Hi my name is Ansley and I am a junior in the Design Department majoring in Motion Design. I want to go into the film industry so I spend a little too much time obsessing over films and television series. When I am not working on the 5th floor until all hours I spend my "free" time climbing or cuddling with my cat. I am originally from Austin, Texas so Seattle weather has been a bit of an adjustment from the blistering heat that I grew up in. Cornish has brought so much to my life that it is crazy hard to try pin point the best thing about it. I love the community that I have become a part of as a student at Cornish and the faculty and the students have truly become my family. Also Cornish is a place where we can make typography jokes and other people laugh. So that’s a plus. I can't wait to meet everyone at Orientation!

Damion Matthews

I am a second year at Cornish, studying the noble art of acting. I hail from the golden hills of Northern California, and am excited to be living in the big, colorful city of Seattle! I enjoy taking strolls to the waterfront and visiting Pike Place Market. I am interested in music, philosophy, nature, and allowing myself to be a complete doofus.

I advise any first-year students to allow themselves to be whoever they want to be, make lots of connections, and savor the moment! I wish I knew how to say that in Latin.

Sage Miller

I am a Dance major going into my Sophomore year here at Cornish. I was home schooled and have been a vegetarian all of my life. I enjoy reading (especially anything about WWII), love anything vintage, am a huge fan of eating (mainly potatoes and Thai food), love to travel and I love mountains! My dream is end up in Europe dancing for a company. I also have interest in teaching as well as choreography. I would be happy anywhere as long as dance is in my life. I chose Cornish because I feel it will prepare me well for the career I have chosen to pursue. I was excited to attend and had very high expectations for what it would be like. My first year was a really great experience. I was pushed and grew in ways that I did not know were possible. I am looking forward to continuing here at Cornish.

I am from the Midwest, but I think I belong on the West Coast. Especially Seattle. Being able to see mountains while you are living in a city is pretty incredible. It’s definitely one of the best things about Seattle. My favorite things to do are go down by the water, walk through the SAM, visit the sculpture park, find where you can get some great views of the mountains, go to Pike Place for Prioshki Prioshki, and eat Pho at the many great Pho restaurants all over Seattle.

Zac Mitchell

I am a Senior in the Music Department. My major is Composition, and I am currently writing music for stage, film, and video games. Activities that I participate in change from year to year, because of the vast diversity of events that occur. Each year, I go to as many shows, art galleries, and recitals as I can, in order to support not only my friends, but every person at the school. Going to these events also gives me the opportunity to experience the awesome artistic expressions of each person at Cornish.

I am a high-energy individual, indulging my adrenaline by downhill racing, lifting, and swimming. However, when I am not outside, I love to play video games, write screenplays, and read all manner of books, namely the Halo series and anything by Tom Clancy. In Seattle, I find that I have many favorite spots to enjoy the day—I thoroughly enjoy going to Pike Place Market, to mingle with the farmers and head down to the awesome comic book store in the central levels. If I am in need of a blood rush, I head over to the bike park underneath the I-5.

My advice to first year students? Go to as many events as you can! The support structure at Cornish is phenomenal, and it starts with you! When you go to support a friend or someone you don’t even know, they will want to come support you in your events. It is a domino effect that brings this fantastic school together, and makes Cornish a place where awesome meets awesome, to become more awesome!

Reina Struk

I am 19 years, 3 months, and 2 days old. I am from Tacoma, WA and there has been a movie made about my life, called Princess Mononoke. Last year, my Freshman year, I tried my hand at a few different student interest groups (SIGs) but the one that really stuck was the Dungeons and Dragons group. It quickly became something I looked forward to every week, a small escape from all the work we had to do every other day. When I wasn’t rehearsing, writing character recipes or memorizing, that was usually where I would be. On the off chance I wasn’t, my favorite haunts were usually places close to home a.k.a, my dorm. Places such as Pike Place or the sculpture park were amazing, but only if I felt more up for a walk. Some closer establishments were Top Pot Donuts and Westlake Center. Though nothing could compare to the 3rd floor lounge in the 7th Ave Residence Halls. My friends and I have made so many memories in that room. From bad rehearsals, to making a huge fort, to having a Nerf battle.

College kind of forces maturity of a certain extent upon you, but it is up to the individual to let the pressure get to them or take it one step at a time and rejoice when you can still connect to your inner child. You will have bad moments in your life, but it’s focusing on the good that will help you survive. I hope I get to meet a lot of you! Please feel free to come and chat with me, I would love to spread the nerdiness!

Rebecca Strohl

I am a Theatre Major here at Cornish, and I hope next year to enter the Original Works program. Outside of Theatre, I enjoy writing, playing the Legend of Zelda games, and snuggling with Jade, my cat. To the incoming Freshman, I give this advice: Immerse yourself in your art form in any way you can. The biggest mistake I made last year was not taking advantage of the opportunities to see free theatre, both at Cornish and around Seattle. So get out and go to the BFA dance show, or the spring musical, or the art gallery. The only things you can regret in life are the opportunities you don’t take advantage of!

Maya “Oogabooga” Rodriguez

I will be starting my second year at Cornish as a Music Performance major with classical cello as my instrument of choice. As a music major, most of my time outside of class was either spent at Kerry hall attending various rehearsals and performances or at the dorms enjoying the insanity that can occur there from time to time. On any day where I have a couple of hours to spare, I enjoy wandering around Capitol Hill to people-watch or grabbing a bite to eat. (Pagliacci’s Pizza has a magical soda machine!) On the occasional sunny weekend, I like to roam around Pike Place or the Seattle Art Walk and enjoy the nice weather. Something else worth checking out are the light shows at the LaserDome in Seattle Center.

I can offer all incoming students three main bits of advice. First, food from The Hurricane tastes best between the hours of midnight and 6:00am (their milkshakes and waffle fries are the best. Seriously.) Secondly, have the shuttle schedule easily accessible, especially if you have to travel between MCC, Kerry Hall, and/or the 9th Ave building a lot. I had a copy of it on my phone and another copy taped by my room door so that I could check it on my way to class. Lastly, and possibly most importantly, try to make nice with your upstairs and/or downstairs neighbors. You’ll find out very quickly that the floors and ceilings are quite a bit thinner than the walls. Plus, what’s not great about meeting people of equal awesomeness?

Every experience I’ve had this last year at Cornish has been invaluable to me and I can say without a doubt that I cannot wait to start my second year! I’m so excited to meet everyone in August and I hope you all have an equally amazing time as I did!

Jessaka Parmley

I’m from Sierra Vista, AZ. I originally attended Cornish to major in painting, but quickly switched to the Design Department. I’m a sophomore studying Visual Communication Design and am excited for what this year has in store!

Being an OL is my first contribution to being more involved at Cornish, but I hope to become more involved in the coming terms. My favorite thing to do in Seattle is to walk down to the waterfront at dusk. (It sounds a bit cheesy, but it’s the most calming thing in the world!) The best piece of advice I can give to first year students is to remember why they applied to Cornish in the first place, and to stay focused, be passionate, and be open!

Josh Thorsen

Josh is a musician, a scholar, a chess player, a philosopher, a linguist, a hermit, a wizard, a detective, a cardsharp, a gentleman, an idealist, a pragmatist, a cook, a puppeteer, a diplomat, a designer, a technician, a poet, an actor, a pilot, a swimmer, an advisor, a lover, a friend, a worthy opponent, a tea-drinker, a cat, a snake, a crocheter, a listener, a fortune-teller, a puller, a reader, a calligrapher, and he loves you very much, never forget that.

He wants you to dream big, write things down, keep in touch with your mother, admit when you’re wrong, celebrate when you’re right, look how far you’ve come, imagine a better world, commit to honesty, have some popcorn, sleep when you’re tired, make up stupid jokes, laugh when you fall, ask tough questions, know when to listen, dance when no one’s home, eat calamari (it’s delicious!), remember how to play, quit taking your work too seriously, never give up, take your work too seriously, spend a day with a friend, take some time to yourself, take care of your body, be kind to your spirit, trust things will work out, love unreservedly, and, yes, he means every word.

Sara Weisenbach

I am a Design Junior in Visual Communications. I am also the co-captain and co-founder of the Cornish Quidditch team (which accepts anyone and everyone, by the way, so you should join!). Quidditch travels, just another perk of joining.

With that shameless plug out of the way, my advice for incoming students is: get involved! Meet people, go places, and see the sights. The best thing I did freshman year was to hang out with new friends as much as I could. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Cornish is super friendly and full of great resources. Just have fun and work hard!