Q: Tell me a little about your background.
A: I was born and raised in southern California in a city called Lake Forest, which is near Irvine and Laguna Beach. One of the two largest intersections of major highways in the U.S. is right where I live. It’s called the Y, and it’s basically the intersection of Interstate 5, which runs all the way from Mexico to Canada, and 405, which runs along the coast — 14 lanes all together. So it was a big change to come here.
Q: Is your family in the area affected by the recent wildfires?
A: Actually, my high school was used as the evacuation site during the fires. My house wasn’t affected, except for all the ashes everywhere. The closest the fire got to my house was about 15 minutes away. But one of my friends who lives up in the foothills could actually see the fire from his house, 100 feet away.
Q: How did you hear about Vassar?
A: Where I’m from, if I say Vassar, no one knows what Vassar is. Everyone knows what UCLA is. But the reason I knew is that my cousin went to Smith and my older sister went to Barnard. She graduated in 2006, and she really liked her school. So both of them encouraged me to look at small liberal arts schools, and since Vassar was one of the Seven Sisters, but coed, it was perfect. One of the most attractive things about Vassar was the number of Steinway pianos — 65 Steinways. The second largest collection in the nation after Oberlin! Plus I thought it was a great advantage, coming to Vassar with the 60:40 ratio of girls to guys.
Q: You’re a very accomplished pianist. Did you consider going to a conservatory?
A: Before I started the whole application process, I had pretty much x-ed out the idea of the conservatory, mainly because I didn’t want to limit myself. I became an Eagle Scout at 15 and then did another four conservation projects all over southern California — and I did other clubs, so I had other interests. The idea of limiting myself to a practice room for the next four years of my life — I knew I wasn’t ready for that. And if I’d gone to a conservatory, I wouldn’t have been able to do the double major, and that’s something I really wanted to do.
Q: What are you thinking of doing after college?
A: The main reason I came to Vassar is to keep my options open. But I’d really like to find a business that’s related to music. I spent last summer at the Aspen Music Festival and actually got a sneak preview of how the whole music business works. During the nine weeks I was there, I got to hear 45 concerts. I also had a part-time job in the ticket office, which was really interesting. Plus I met the guy who is the lawyer for all the major orchestras in the U.S., so even that sounded appealing. Or maybe I’ll take a whole different route and go into investment banking. It would be selling my soul to corporate America, but I could retire when I’m 30 and then start playing piano after that!
Q: Who are you studying with here?
A: I’m studying with Anna Polonsky at Vassar and also with my teacher in Connecticut. I’ve been studying with her since sophomore year of high school. She would fly out to California once a month to give lessons to a few students. I’ve learned so much from her, but I have so much more to learn. So I’ve continued my studies with her as well as my studies with Anna. The music faculty here has been great for me. They’ve put me with some great chamber musicians. I’ve been put with the violinist who was the concertmaster of the orchestra last year, and I’m with the principal cellist right now, so I’m with a very solid group. I feel loved! It’s a great feeling to have the flexibility and the options within the Music Department.
Q: How do you get to Connecticut?
A: I brought my car this year. So it takes about a hour, and it’s just a beautiful drive. I-84 is just unbelievably beautiful, and the Taconic State Parkway — all those trees! You have none of that in southern California where I live.
Q: What’s the best course you’ve taken so far?
A: One great course I took was my freshman writing course, which was called the History and the Landscape of the Hudson Valley Region with Professor Walker. We actually got to go hiking at the Ashokan Reservoir! Of course, we had to write an essay about it, but it was great. Every class session, I learned something that I wouldn’t normally get to learn. We read John Burroughs, who was a naturalist who lived in the Hudson Valley in the 19th century, and we talked about the paintings of the Hudson River School, and we covered some geology. I remember thinking, this is the kind of course you can only get at Vassar — a writing course where you go hiking. I think that’s just amazing.
I’m also really enjoying my Macroeconomic Theory class with Paul Johnson. Great Australian guy. I’ve asked him to be my advisor. He actually came to my sophomore recital as well. I’ve been having a good time in that class, learning a lot, even though it’s a little hard to grasp sometimes.
Q: Where do you live on campus?
A: Raymond House. My friends are all on the house team, so it’s great. Freshman year, my hall was just very sociable. Everyone was outgoing, everyone’s door was open, no one would go to sleep before 2am. My roommate actually became Mr. Vassar. My best friend and my roommate were the candidates from the freshman class, and my roommate won! He beat seniors and juniors. Apparently that doesn’t happen — a freshman winning Mr. Vassar! So that just goes to show what kind of group I was in.
This year, I’m on the first floor in a single, not by choice but because of the room draw, and I’m a little isolated from my friends, but it’s okay. Actually I don’t really regret it now because I can go up and hang out with them and then go back to my room and actually get some sleep. Plus it’s helped me be more productive. I did all the fun things last year, and now I’m ready to work. That’s why I made myself do a sophomore recital. I’m also trying to prepare for a national competition that’s going to take place during winter break at Penn State, so I’ve been working hard.
Q: Is there anything about Vassar that surprised you?
A: The resources on this campus are just amazing. People are really there for you. Last year, for example, I took Probability and Statistics. And during study week before the final, our professor had office hours every day so we could ask him questions. And that was the professor, not a TA. The professors here really do care, and the administration too. During the recent wildfires in California, DB Brown sent me an email asking how my family was. Getting an email from the dean of students? I thought that was pretty significant.
