About

I am currently pursuing a B.F.A. in Audio Arts & Production at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design. When Melinda Russial, an instructor at SFUAD and founder of Wanderlust Edventures, announced that she was taking a group to Ghana to study abroad I knew I had to go. Why? As many of you know, I participated in Model United Nations for nearly 10 years and travel has always been a component of my education in some form or another. But I have never done an extended trip to another country and study abroad programs have never seemed to coincide exactly with my interests until now.

As a sound artist it’s my responsibility to listen to and understand music from all kinds of genres—imagine a chef who can only cook grilled cheese—so I can accommodate any artist who walks into my studio (but if you are an expert grilled cheese chef, call me). I truly believe the only way to understand music is to immerse myself in it. West African music is a big part of our education here at SFUAD and I have only scratched the surface – which is why I am going to the Dagara Music Center to study with Bernard Woma from May 29-June 19, 2016.

The three-week immersion program includes music, dance, drumming, and visual art. We will explore the culture, traditions, and landscape of West Africa, and participate in cross-cultural exchanges with Ghanaian musicians and dancers. We also aim to bring our experiences back to our own communities through performance events and interdisciplinary curriculum modules for public school students.

The cost of travel and program fees is approximately $6,000. All contributions will directly support my trip.

Additionally, we hope to support regional economic initiatives in environmental and cultural sustainability with donations for community projects, school supplies, and other means of support for the communities we will visit in Ghana.

Graceless Series

You read Graceless, right? Of course you do. When I decided to study abroad, I learned that there are many important women who help facilitate this program and work in and around the center. Editor-in-Chief Carla Cook and I cooked up a plan for me to bring back a multi-part series on these women. Their stories, and how their daily lives differ from ours, is something that interests me and I want to bring them back to you. Donating at any level will get you access to a special email newsletter written by yours truly, which will include information on this series as it unfolds.