What college or university did you attend after SAAS (or what did you pursue instead)?
University of Washington
What did you major in? Did you get other degrees?
Society, Ethics and Human Behavior
What unique experiences have you had since leaving SAAS? Trips, internships, jobs, etc.
The most unique experience for me thus far would have to be going through my client Sharon Jones’ diagnosis of cancer. I had only been working with her for 3 months in 2013 when she was diagnosed with Stage 2 pancreatic cancer. The next year was dedicated entirely to her treatment and recovery. VH1 brought on Academy Award winning director Barbara Kopple to follow us on the journey, so having cameras around during this emotional and frightening time was a bit weird to get used to at first. The full-length documentary is being released sometime in late 2015. After completing her chemotherapy in January of 2014, Sharon went on to release her fifth studio record and was nominated this year for her first ever Grammy for R&B Album of the Year.
What are your favorite memories from SAAS? What programs, teams, and extracurricular activities were you involved with at SAAS? Who were your most influential teachers at SAAS?
I still look back on my trips to Alaska with Rob and Jen Phillips as some of the most memorable times of my life. I find myself utilizing my experiential lessons from those trips and applying them to life’s many challenges as a means to accomplish my goals. There are few things as uncomfortable or challenging as waking up at 4am in the pouring rain, putting on wet long underwear and kayaking for 10 hours.
I am also grateful to Mark Hoover, who pulled me aside after I had completely lost my voice before opening night of our middle school musical show, and told me that “great gifts sometimes come in strange packages.” Thank you for that, Mark.
Track and Field (Rob Phillips, Natalie Grant, Lauri Conner), Speech and Debate (Joel Underwood) and Vocal Ensemble (Mark Hoover) are all programs that I was so incredibly lucky to be a part of while at SAAS.
Where are you now and what do you do? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? How did SAAS help prepare you for your job today?
I am currently based in Brooklyn, New York, working as an artist manager for St. Vincent, Sharon Jones and the Budos Band. Highlights of my year so far are: Watching my client St. Vincent win her first Grammy for Alternative Album of the Year, and marrying my husband, Jared Tankel.