What is your day job?
I am a content producer at Interlochen Center for the Arts. I interview interesting alumni from the Arts Camp and Arts Academy, and write stories about their careers for publication on Interlochen’s website. I also do copyediting and speech writing.
How long have you lived in the Grand Traverse area?
Other than studying English for four years at Hillsdale College, I’ve lived here almost my whole life. My family moved to Kingsley in 2006, and I spent a lot of my childhood there. I relocated to Grand Traverse proper last fall and currently live close to the downtown area.
What is your favorite thing about living and working in the Traverse City area?
I love that I can access shopping, good food, and plenty of things to do while also being so close to beautiful natural areas.
What do you do for fun?
I dance. I’m involved with ecstatic dance and co-creative partner dancing communities in the area. The ability to express emotion through movement is one of my greatest joys. I also write poetry, and recently published my first book, Neon Cathedral. And I play beach volleyball.
How do you get involved in the community?
I attend church locally, volunteer through Munson Hospice and Single MOMM, and busk at local farmer’s markets.
What is your favorite local business and why?
I love Higher Ground coffee. The taste is great, the ambiance is top-notch, and the baristas always complement my outfits. I can’t stay away.
What’s the weirdest job you ever had?
I sold vintage Turkish and Persian rugs for a startup in South Bend, Indiana. And I bartended on the side. That was a wild time.
Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I’m the oldest of seven siblings, and I’ve been to Alaska twice.
What is something you’ve learned in the past week?
I’m learning to say yes to spontaneous invites and opportunities, even if they aren’t in my original plans. You never know how the night may go.
How can other TCYP members support you (personally or professionally)?
I’m looking forward to getting to know other young professionals in the area through events and networking. I’m always down to make new friends and I think that having a solid social base goes a long way towards helping you feel fulfilled at work and beyond.
