Poetry Out Loud.
I fell in love with poetry recitation during my freshman year at Portsmouth Abbey School. My literature teacher and our theater director, Mr. Bragan, inspired me to continue this 'fluid art form,' and since then, I have participated in the Poetry Out Loud competition every year! Interestingly, I didn’t start reciting because I already loved poetry—it was quite the opposite. Through Poetry Out Loud, I began writing my own poems and extended this experience to my community at a senior residency center, which you can see here.
Violin.
With parents who met in an orchestra, it feels only natural that classical music became a part of my life too. When I was five, I would tiptoe into the living room, plug in a CD, and carefully choose the melodies I wanted to lose myself in.
I started playing the violin eleven years ago, and joining my school’s orchestra at ten opened up a whole new world for me. Playing alongside others brought a unique sense of joy and belonging that deepened my love for the instrument even further.
Here are a few pieces I’ve loved playing!