- When did you first discover theater/what was your first experience?
I have been a performer my whole life, and after my career breaking role of “Straw” in The Straw That Broke The Camel’s Back, my kindergarten musical, I knew theatre was all I ever wanted to do. But my first experience with professional theatre was seeing the Hairspray tour in Chicago. It blew me away, and I remember going back to our hotel and not being able to sleep because of the pure adrenaline and love I felt. A feeling I will never forget, and still feel to this day.
- When/how did you become a writer? Is there a writer, show, or text that particularly inspired you?
My writing journey began in high school, as I began to learn piano. My learning piano naturally evolved into me just writing on the piano, not learning lol. So I started to write, and just never stopped from there. But when I knew it was part of what I wanted to do professionally, Ryan Scott Oliver (who I believe to be truly the most genius composer of our time) really helped me become the writer I am today. Regina Spektor also has always been a huge source of inspiration for me, as I feel she does what no one else has done before.
- How do you describe your style/work?
I would describe my work as having piano-led infectious melodies, whimsical yet strong storylines, imaginative lyricism, folk stylings and a balanced mix of pop + musical theatre sensibilities: all invoking a new sound. My aim is to muse all of this into Musical Theatre in a new, exciting way, which I think sets me apart. I hope it does, and if it doesn’t then I will just throw my lover to the cats (I KNOW YOU DID IT CAROLE).
- What is most rewarding to you about writing music?
Watching an artist perform it. It genuinely feels like ice cream. When someone performs your work and has a connection to it: it feels like your mission has been accomplished. Another thing I find so rewarding about writing music is that it is all in my control. So much of the world today is not in our control (…) and having 88 keys under your fingers that will create something that wasn’t there before, all at the bend of a finger, is magical. Pure magic.