My first introduction to music was my Mom. Growing up we would always listen and sing along as she played through her repertoire, anything from classical piano to Ray Charles to the Yiddish folk songs she grew up with.

I grew up in the San Diego area. From a young age I was interested in the arts and in poetry. I studied fine arts in high school where I was exposed to drawing, painting, printmaking, fiber arts, ceramics and metal work.

Rushing over to Cole Hall after the end of a small group meeting in the library, I was initially feeling a little cranky.

Poetry for me is a way to retrospectively mine meaning out of seemingly-significant moments in my life.

In college, I found it was difficult to fit in both studio art classes and laboratory time – both are long and grueling in their own way. I chose the laboratory, but figure drawing has been a way for me to stay connected to the visual arts.