What are some of your fondest Haverford memories?

I was a Lifer at Haverford, so there are a lot of memories! If I had to pick one off the top of my head, I think I would start with the fantastic choir trip to France with Mr. Stairs. I was a member of The Notables and I played the violin. I helped to plan the trip for months with Lathrop Nelson '93, who was president of the choir and a fellow Notable. The French department had a trip that coincided with ours, so there were a lot of non-choir members there as well. I also remember winning the National Championship as part of the varsity quad my junior year and being part of wrestling coach Neil Buckley’s 600^th win. Those were very special to me; crew and wrestling were a huge part of my Haverford experience. Of course, each of these great successes came with their own sets of failures and disappointments beforehand. I know the value of preparation and hard work to get to those wins.

Tell me about your work with Brooklyn Music School. What keeps you inspired to continue to work in music education?

We consider Brooklyn Music School to be the community music school of the 21^st century. We have many famous alumni, from hip-hop artists to opera singers, classical to rock singers and musicians, and music producers. But almost everyone has another job, and music is just one facet of their lives. One of the best parts of being in New York City is being part of the interaction and exchange between our wonderful faculty and students who come from all over the world. One of the biggest joys I have is when alumni come back because they love the school so much. Also witnessing the performances – really seeing the work, and the programming, which helps to bring all these people together over music, is very inspiring.

I remember when Centennial Hall first opened, when we had our first holiday concert in that space. Students and parents were all together, and I got to play the violin and sing with all my peers and feel so connected. It was a wonderful memory and fantastic feeling that I look to emulate every day at the Brooklyn Music School.

I remember when Centennial Hall first opened, when we had our first holiday concert in that space. Students and parents were all together, and I got to play the violin and sing with all my peers and feel so connected. It was a wonderful memory and fantastic feeling that I look to emulate every day at the Brooklyn Music School.

What lessons did you learn at Haverford that you carry with you?

People always matter and relationships always matter. A lot of success also depends on hard work and preparation. I’d say those are the overall lessons I took from Haverford: the value of building relationships, and of working hard and preparing as much as you can. Another thing I learned from my time at Haverford is the importance of self-care and self-worth. Looking back at my experience now, I think I did a lot of second-guessing in high school, and I wish I had had more confidence to stand up for myself back then. I recognize the importance of self-confidence now and believing in my own abilities.

What advice do you have for current Haverford students?

I would encourage them to take chances, make mistakes, and try new things. This is a time in their lives when they can take calculated risks and learn from the outcomes. I would also tell them to always cherish their time with family and friends, because the friendships I still maintain with my classmates from Haverford are so precious to me. They should also give back. Everyone who steps into Haverford is privileged to be a part of this great community, and helping those who really need it is such an important lesson to learn.