Get to know me

Tell us about some of the cultural experiences you had growing up. (Dance,

Singing, Theatre etc.)

Growing up, I was deeply involved in singing and performing. I sang regularly at church and school, participated in plays and musicals, and even performed with artists like Brady O’Brian. I also had the chance to perform at the state fair and won several competitions along the way. These experiences, a mix of school, community, and personal passion, shaped my creativity, discipline, and love for the arts.

Do you come from an "artsy" family?

I don’t come from an "artsy" family and am the only one in my family to participate in shows, competitions, and performances. However, they have always been incredibly supportive of my journey. From the very beginning, they encouraged me to pursue singing, acting, and performing, and to this day, they remain my biggest supporters.

What is your earliest memory performing?

My earliest memories of performing

include dance, acting, and singing. As a child, I performed in dance and gymnastics

shows on the Iowa Central stage, acted in A Nutcracker Christmas with the Hawkeye

Community Theater around age nine, and vividly remember participating in my church’s choir, even singing solos during special services. I loved the excitement of being on stage and sharing my passion with an audience, whether through movement, acting, or song.

What do you most enjoy about performing?

What I most enjoy about performing is the connection with the audience. After weeks, sometimes months, of preparing a piece—becoming a character or feeling the true emotions of a song—you finally get to share it with complete strangers. In that moment, every refined gesture, every note, every expression becomes a way to reveal a part of yourself. It is an incredibly intimate and vulnerable experience, offering the rare chance to share genuine emotion with people who don’t know you, yet can feel it deeply.

What is your major at Iowa Central Community College? And, what made you

choose that program?

I am currently a second year (RN) nursing major at Iowa Central, but I hope to attend a music and performance school next August. I chose this career because I care deeply for people and discovered a love for the profession in high school when I became a CNA. Nursing is an extremely rewarding career, and I am so grateful for the opportunities Iowa Central has provided me.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What 3 things do you bring and why?

If I were stranded on a desert island, the three things I would bring with me are a water

purifier, a thick sleeping bag, and a LOT of flares. The water purifier would allow me to

safely drink water, even from the ocean. The sleeping bag would keep me warm when

the night inevitably gets extremely cold, and hopefully, the flares would help me signal

for help.

What activities/groups/ensembles are you currently involved with?

I am currently involved in the Iowa Central Jazz, Pop, and Ensemble choirs. I am also heavily involved in the theater department performing in plays and musicals at the college.

What do you want to do after Iowa Central Community College?

After completing my studies at Iowa Central Community College, I plan to transfer to the University of South Dakota to pursue a major in Musical Theater and Vocal Performance. In addition, I am passionate about healthcare and hope to complete a BSN-to-MSN bridge program online to become a Nurse Practitioner with a specialty in Forensics. I am very excited for the opportunities ahead and look forward to combining my artistic and healthcare interests in the future.

Who are some of your role models? Why?

Some of my biggest role models aremy teachers. Teresa Jackson, Iowa Central’s Former Musical Theater instructor, has inspired me throughout my performance career, and I still rely on her advice today. Our new Choir teacher, Jacob Pedersen encourages me to take on challenging pieces and brings so much passion to every rehearsal, which motivates me to grow. Sean Mulvihill, our Theater instructor, helps students prepare for auditions and provides real-world opportunities. These educators have shown me that it’s possible to build a career in the arts while maintaining a true love for music and performance. They are truly all such inspiring people who I am beyond grateful for.

Tell us one word that you would use to describe yourself.

One word I would use to describe myself is resilient. Not every performance goes perfectly, and not every piece is simple. I have learned a lot and have had to constantly grow and adapt. This process has included mistakes, challenging performances, and a lot of hard work, all of which are necessary to improve as a performer and continue learning. At times, I have felt disappointed or inadequate after a performance, but those moments are not reasons to quit—they are just as necessary as the successful performances for growth and learning.