MY STORY—PART 1: STUDENT MEDIA

I am a recent graduate of American University in Washington, D.C. Over the past four years, I learned journalism and media production by doing.

I immediately got involved in college radio my very first semester all the way at home in Connecticut while we were operating online. Eventually becoming a DJ and getting to host weekly shows playing my favorite music was a blast! My last semester proved extra special as I had the honor of serving as web director and managing wvau.org and a staff of writers publishing all kinds of music writing for our audience. WVAU will always be treasured as the start of my passion for all things audio and a place for my love of music to flourish.

My out-of-class hours as an upperclassman were largely spent with AU's investigative magazine, AWOL. My roles ranged from writer, to podcast director, to staff editor, and each role was endlessly invaluable and fulfilling. I'll miss it and the community of journalists I found there, but I hope to join a news organization with a similar drive for being both subversive and irrepressible in doing the best journalism possible (as we always said, with an angle, not an agenda.)

MY STORY—PART 2: MUSIC

I may have started out on the cello, but my music tastes and abilities go far beyond classical music! As a DJ, my go-to was the latest in modern indie pop, and I loved to incorporate alternative, classic rock and more! As for instruments, I've picked up the acoustic guitar and even did three semesters on percussion for AU's Symphonic Band.

Last year, I got to spend the summer in Nashville, TN. My first ever experience in "Music City USA" was a full 11 weeks spent interning at Lightning 100, Nashville's Independent radio station. Immersing myself in the music industry, in Nashville of all places, taught me so much about the role of radio and the relationships between stations, venues, businesses, artists and the community.

During my college years, I made sure to take classes on the historical development of rock and roll, the endlessly fascinating genre of protest music, and the music industry. Whether it was in the classroom, on a recital hall stage or in the crowd at one of D.C.'s iconic music venues, my goal was to continuously build my expertise.