My Work

I'm in charge of two ensembles—Primo Coro, the beginning group (second to fifth grade), and Canterini, the intermediate ensemble (third to seventh grade). In addition to preparing for our own concerts, the chorus performs with other groups around Chicago, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago.

Kenyon connection to the job:

After I found out I had made it to the audition stage—that I'd be conducting in front of a room full of singers and board members—I went to my faculty advisor, Ben Locke, showed him the audition music, and said, "I'm going to have to teach young singers after I graduate. Help!" Doc helped me brainstorm rehearsal strategies, work on my conducting patterns, and gain the confidence I needed, not only to teach the music to the choristers but also to make it fun and engaging.

My internship:

In the education department of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), I researched and wrote the teacher handbook for A Midsummer Night's Dream, which is published online and used by high school teachers across the country. I also helped with the CST's outreach program, which brings in high school students and helps them create a full performance of a Shakespeare play. I did a billion different things, from designing handouts and printing scripts, to coaching students on Shakespearean monologues, to completely zany things like helping girls "get into character" by watching boys walk down Navy Pier and then copying their movements.

Key Kenyon experiences:

I know that my love of music was strengthened by the privilege of singing with the Chamber Singers and by the welcoming nature of the professors and students in the Music Department. I know also that I wouldn't have had the courage to pursue an internship at a theater as prestigious as Chicago Shakespeare without the encouragement of Professors Wendy MacLeod, Ben Viccellio, and Adele Davidson. But I also believe that I wouldn't be able to prepare for and run rehearsals for the Youth Chorus each week if I hadn't had the privilege of doing so with Colla Voce, the ensemble I founded with some friends.

"I believe I got my conducting job because the board saw that I was passionate and dedicated, traits that I was allowed to develop at Kenyon."

Loving the job:

The thing I love most about working with the kids in the Pro Musica Youth Chorus is that, with them, my life is never boring. I never know what might happen in rehearsal, or what new thing they might have discovered about a piece. They are constantly surprising me with their willingness to learn, to take risks, to look silly and have fun in order to make beautiful music.

Job high point so far:

The Pro Musica Youth Chorus 2011 winter concert was a highlight. Hearing my singers perform was incredible. Knowing that I had taught them the words, the notes, but that they had made the music their own—there is nothing like that feeling.

Outside the job:

I'm singing professionally, both in choirs and as a soloist. Here in Chicago, two Kenyon friends and I started a vocal trio called La Caccina, in the spirit of the group Colla Voce, which we had founded at Kenyon. After our first concert, the composer Kathleen Allan found our recording of her piece "The Sailor's Question" on YouTube and gave us a Facebook shout-out. We freaked out!