Personal

From a young age, I have been fortunate enough to have been exposed to multiple forms of the arts. My first memorable performance experiences date back to the third grade when I was a member of the Gettysburg College Children’s Choir. For information on my performance background and music production, visit the Music page.

Listening Interests

I tend to think that I have a diverse range of music that I listen to that includes: Electronic Dance Music, Broadway Music, Classical Music (Instrumental and Vocal), Rock and Roll, and Jazz. This diverse listening taste is derived from studying classical music, becoming interested in music production, being raised by a mother from the city of rock and roll, and growing up with Michael Buble on in the house. I like attending music festivals with friends and going to concerts. I have really been in the mood for EDM inspired by trance and dubstep recently, so I have been enjoying artists like Jason Ross, William Black, and Seven Lions.

Musical Theater

Since I love music, naturally it makes sense that I would enjoy music combined with acting as well. Both movie musicals and live theatre performances have had a profound impact on my life. I have seen dozens of live broadway productions both in New York and in other cities with travelling equity casts. Generally, I prefer shows that are less gimicky, but anything goes! A few of my all-time favorites include: The Phantom of the Opera, Rent, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, Cabaret, and Hello Dolly!.

Art

My family has had a profound impact on my taste of physical art. I have fond memories of my grandmother taking me to the Cleveland Museum of Art to look at the armor room and of my dad trying to teach me how to learn his skills in watercolor painting. Ever since I can remember my grandparents work has lined my walls, offering a connection back to those who are important to me. I have enjoyed going to art museums and have been fortunate to go to many of the world’s premier galleries including the Uffizi Gallery, the Chicago Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Art in Boston, and the Rijksmuseum. Generally, my favorite types of art are in the impressionism family, with my current favorite artist being Boudin. I thoroughly enjoy his portrayl of seascapes and people vacationing in Normandy.

Growing up I played basketball, baseball, and I ran cross country and track. Unfortunately, I have not kept up with organized sports since I left high school. However, I still try to prioritize physical fitness and I still enjoy watching certain sports teams.

Personal Fitness

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I have tried to maintain a healthy workout routine. I like the saying that you can’t have a fully healthy mind without a healthy body. Add me on Strava on my social tab at the bottom of the page!

In general, I try to do some sort of weight training 5-6 days a week. I am currently attempting to break 225 on bench press by the end of 2024 (I think I’m there, I just need to try!), as well as push myself in all other exercises.

When the temperature is not extremely cold in New England, I try to go for runs to get back to my peak shape in high school. My best 5k time is 19’05” and my best mile time is 4’53”. I do not imagine myself breaking my mile time anytime soon, but long term my goal is to train for a 5k so that I can break my current PR. I also have a plan to run a half or full marathon at some point in my 20s.

Sports Fandom

I am a massive Penn State Football fan. What is odd is that I really did not care about the team that much when I went to school. I think that watching the team on the weekends in the fall keeps me connected to my alma mater. Outside of Penn State Football I really do not care that much about sports. I am a Boston Red Sox and a Kansas State Wildcats Football and Basketball fan because of memories with my dad growing up.

I have really enjoyed reading in my free time since I graduated from Penn State. The genres I enjoy most are politics, current societal topics, and science fiction. A current reading goal I have is to read an autobiography or biography about every US President. Although I may not agree with every decision a president makes, I think reading about the leadership qualities each president exudes can inform who I want to be as a leader as I continue to grow. Below is a list of the most recent 15 books that I have read:

Kafka on the Shore - Haruki Murakami

Second Foundation - Isaac Asimov

Foundation and Empire - Isaac Asimov

Renegade - Adam Kinzinger

Foundation - Isaac Asimov

Democracy Awakening - Heather Cox Richardson

Nazis of Copley Square - Charles R. Gallagher

Dune Messiah - Frank Herbert

The Cancelling of the American Mind - Greg Lukianoff, Rikki Schlott

Dune - Frank Herbert

After the Fall - Ben Rhodes

Brown: The History of an Idea - Ted Widmer

Adrift: America in 100 Charts - Scott Galloway

The Big Sort - Bill Bishop

Decision Points - George W. Bush