Music and Political Science Major
What made you choose Heidelberg and when did it start to feel like home?
Heidelberg truly began to feel like home in my sophomore year once I became the clarinet section leader of the Band. I became part of a leadership team where all trusted each other in our respective areas and worked together to make a more welcoming environment for new students.
What moment at Heidelberg made you feel most proud to be a Student Prince?
I felt most proud to be a Student Prince during the 1st Biennial Heidelberg New Music Festival and Symposium! It's a rare thing for undergraduate students to be in charge of an event like this, and on such a large scale. Seeing dozens of musicians come here to collaborate was truly amazing, and something that typically only happens at much larger universities.
What’s a class, club, or activity you joined on a whim and ended up loving?
Being the page turner for the Concert Choir... It's been very fun, basically getting to watch three choir concerts a week, each better and better than the last. It's exciting getting to hear their progress when they finally nail a difficult passage they've been working on for weeks, and I love getting to watch Cynthia Ramsdell play expertly on the piano up close.
What relationship or friendship here has meant the most to you and why?
My relationship with Emma McIntyre has meant the most to me! We've been together since high school, and we've always been there for each other all throughout college. I could not have accomplished half the things I have without her supporting me the whole way!
What opportunity outside the classroom shaped you the most?
Being able to help form the Heidelberg New Music Association will forever be one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was the perfect opportunity for me to combine my love for music and political science into one. I got to work with some amazing people who have inspired me in ways I cannot describe, such as Dr. Matthew Kennedy, Ashtyn Wolph, Sophia Lee, Jacob Reuter, and Sarah Jewell. I'm very thankful for all of them.
What is a lesson from college that you will carry with you forever?
Complaining doesn't improve anything. If you see a problem... You can be the one to fix it! Making the world better is a lot more fun than just talking about it.
What memory still makes you smile, no matter what?
In Spring 2024, the Heidelberg New Music Association voted to create a list of every bulletin board and advertising location on campus. Sarah Jewell, Rylan Clarkson, and I all went around campus together for about three hours exploring every building and marking down the locations of over 200 places where we could put up posters. It was an absolutely ridiculous endeavor, (and I remember a lot of people thinking it was a waste of time), but it was truly a lot of fun doing something so silly, and it's one of my favorite memories. Also, we ultimately used it to advertise for the New Music Festival, and I've been asked by many student groups over the past two years if I could share the list with them. I was even asked this past summer to share it with Heidelberg's Marketing department, because we had apparently created the most definitive list out there, so I think it was certainly a good use of our time after all.
What experience at Heidelberg best prepared you for your next step?
I think two experiences have best prepared me for my next step: The first was getting to be Co-Music Director for Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, and the second was being Co-Executive Director of the Heidelberg New Music Festival. Alice in Wonderland taught me that I really enjoy music directing and that I want to keep the arts in my life moving forward, while the festival showed me that I have a natural skill for event planning and organization. Music directing a main-stage show and leading a new music festival are rare experiences for an undergraduate student, so I feel like having both has really put me ahead and prepared me to take on whatever I choose to do next. Sarah Jewell was Co-Director with me on both of these projects, and through working with her, I feel I've learned important skills in developing professional relationships in the arts; I've learned how to balance my creative ideas with someone else and how to rely on each other's strengths.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen about how to be successful at Heidelberg?
If you truly love something, no matter how busy you are, you will always manage to make time for it. Think about what you naturally always prioritize. That is what you like to do. Once you understand what you like to do, go all-in on it!
What are your plans following graduation?
After graduation, I plan to stay in Tiffin and work in the city, utilizing my political science degree. I'll also be music directing Spring Awakening here at Heidelberg in the Fall semester!
Finally, what’s one thing you hope never changes about Heidelberg?
I hope the students at Heidelberg continue innovating to try to create the best college experience possible. When we make changes here, we ourselves benefit, but I think the amazing thing is that future students will also benefit from the positive impact we've had.