"If music be the food of love, play on..."
I'm a life-long music lover with over 15 years of music experience, including musical theater, choral ensembles, folk concerts, and more.
In addition to my work as a performer, I'm also passionate about music direction for the stage. I'm experienced at leading music rehearsals, arranging sheet music, and collaboratively realizing the director's musical vision for a production. I have also composed original music for several productions.
I wrote my MLitt Thesis on Musical Dramaturgy, exploring the ways that Shakespeare's songs contribute to the storytelling of his plays, and how these songs can be most effectively brought to life in performance.
MUSIC DIRECTION / COMPOSITION
The Two Noble Kinsmen - Composer & Music Director, dir. Matt Radford Davies/Doreen Bechtol, MBU Shakespeare & Performance
The Convent of Pleasure - Composer & Music Director, dir. Abigail Olshin, MBU Shakespeare & Performance
Anima (Her Soul) - Music Director, dir. Becca Westbrook, MBU Shakespeare & Performance
As You Like It - Music Director, dir. Megan Parlett/Becca Westbrook, MBU Shakespeare & Performance
The Comedy of Errors - Music Director, dir. Natasia Reinhardt, American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp (youth production)
Troilus and Cressida - Music Director, dir. Mili Koncelik, American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp (youth production)
MUSIC TEAM
All's Well That Ends Well - Co-Music Director (w/Emily Bassett), dir. Allie Babich, Constellation Shakespeare Collective
The Sea Voyage - Co-Music Director (w/Scarlet Darling), dir. Emily Bassett, Constellation Shakespeare Collective
The Honest [Wo]man's Revenge - Co-Music Director (w/Abigail Olshin), dir. Austen Bell, Streetlight Shakespeare Ensemble
Macbeth - Music Assistant (MD Becca Westbrook), dir. Brooke Crittenden/Megan Parlett, Constellation Shakespeare Collective
ACTOR-MUSICIAN
Two Noble Kinsmen
The Witch
Henry VI Pt. 2
Comedy of Errors
Two Gentlemen of Verona
Cello, Lap Harp, Percussion
Guitar, Vocals
Vocals, Percussion
Guitar, Ukulele, Vocals, Percussion
Guitar, Vocals
dir. Matt Radford Davies/Doreen Bechtol
Ensemble-Directed
Julia Sommer
Beth Harris
Chris Nickerson
MBU Shakespeare & Performance
Meadowlark Shakespeare Players
MBU Shakespeare & Performance
Ithaca Shakespeare Company
Ithaca Shakespeare Company
Instrument Proficiencies:
Advanced (i.e. strong sight-reading and improvisational skills, able to learn music quickly without outside help):
Voice
Acoustic Rhythm Guitar
Ukulele
Hand-held Percussion (cajon, hand-drum, tubular bells, shakers, tambourine, etc.)
Basic (i.e. no formal training, but these are all instruments I have played onstage before, and I've been able to pick up basic melodies with little rehearsal time):
Accordion
Cello
Lap-Harp
Intermediate (i.e. solid foundation in basic skills, chords, etc. can learn songs with a few days of independent practice time):
Piano
Melodica
Flute
Recorder
"Put me in coach" (i.e. I've never played these instruments before, but I have a relevant skillset and/or a god-complex that assures me I could play them if asked, and I'm just waiting for an opportunity to test that theory):
Banjo
Bass
Violin
Mandolin
Harmonica