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Musical Theatre BFA Candidate at the Bston Conservatory at Berklee
Tell me about your arts education growing up. What did it look like?
I grew up in a very musical family. My mom was a music teacher, and my dad worked in the record industry for many years, so I was always encouraged and supported in my musical endeavors. From a young age, I was trained in sight-reading and multiple instruments. I primarily trained in saxophone until around age 13, when I began taking voice lessons.
As I became more comfortable with my voice, I realized I could translate my musicality into theater, which I began pursuing in high school. While I never formally trained at a theater school until college, I worked with a vocal coach, participated in various shows around New York and New Jersey, and attended multiple summer intensives at Vanguard Theater Company. By my junior year of high school, I knew I wanted to pursue theater in college, so I began working with a college audition coach for both acting and voice.
Was there a particular teacher or experience that changed your relationship with the arts?
I’ve had many incredible teachers who have helped shape me as an artist, but the one who stands out to me the most is Robbie Torres. He is a Long Island-based vocal coach who not only helped me discover my voice and learn how to use it, but also encouraged me to become a more multifaceted artist. Beyond teaching me about singing, Robbie helped me navigate such an uncertain industry and period of my life. He was not only a coach, but also a mentor and friend, and his support gave me the confidence to continue exploring who I wanted to be as an artist.
How has arts education shaped who you are today?
Arts education has shaped so much of who I am today, both as an artist and as a person. Growing up surrounded by music taught me discipline, curiosity, and the importance of always continuing to learn. Being trained in multiple instruments, sight reading, music theory, and eventually voice gave me a strong foundation that I was able to carry with me when I discovered theater. More than anything, arts education taught me how to be adaptable and confident in expressing myself. Moving from saxophone to voice and then into theater showed me that my skills could translate across different forms of art. It also taught me that being an artist isn’t about fitting into one specific category, but more about being open to exploring different ways of creating and communicating.
What skills or qualities did you gain through the arts that you still use today?
Through the arts, I’ve developed adaptability and confidence. Music taught me the importance of preparation, consistency, and paying attention to the details, while theater taught me how to be present, collaborate with others, and think on my feet. I also learned how to take feedback and use it to grow rather than take it personally.
Did you ever face barriers to participating in the arts?
I was fortunate to have a very supportive family who helped me pursue the arts as much as possible. They also connected me with teachers and mentors who supported my growth and encouraged me to keep developing as an artist. For me, the biggest challenge was being in a high school environment where I sometimes struggled to find other people who shared the same passion for theater and the arts that I did. I often felt like I was searching for a community where I truly belonged as an artist. That’s something I feel incredibly lucky to have now at a conservatory, where I’m surrounded by students who are just as passionate about the arts as I am.
Do you think every child has the same access to quality arts education? Why or why not?
Unfortunately, I don’t think every child has the same access to quality arts education. Arts training can be incredibly expensive, and many families simply can’t afford to invest in something that comes with so much financial uncertainty. There is also a lot of pressure in the arts to begin training at a very young age in order to be competitive, which can create an even greater divide between those who have access to private lessons, coaches, intensives, and other opportunities and those who don’t. I think it’s important to recognize that talent and passion exist in every community, but not every child is given the same opportunity to develop those skills. Access to quality arts education shouldn’t depend on a family’s financial situation.
What do you think students lose when they don’t have access to the arts?
I think students lose an important outlet for creativity when they don’t have access to the arts. The arts give students a space to explore who they are, build confidence, and learn how to communicate in ways that aren’t always possible through traditional academics. For me, the arts provided a community where I could connect with people who shared my passions, and I think that sense of belonging is something every student deserves to experience. Without access to the arts, students can miss out on opportunities to discover passions, build meaningful relationships, and develop parts of themselves that may not have another place to grow.
What are your future plans?
I plan on combining my love of theater and music by composing and producing musicals. I’ve always been interested in the different ways music and storytelling can come together, and I’d love to create work that allows me to explore both sides of my artistry. In the future, I hope to not only perform, but also be involved in the creative process from the beginning. I want to tell stories that are meaningful to me and create opportunities for other artists to collaborate and bring those stories to life.
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