Tell about yourself!

I grew up on Vashon Island, an island with ten thousand inhabitants, close to Seattle in the USA. My mother is Norwegian and my father is American, and I have a three year older brother who lives in Seattle. Since 2018, I have been an active member of the Vashon Island Rowing Club. I love rowing and taking part in regattas.
From the age of 14, I performed with guitar and sang in various places on Vashon.
I am social, a perfectionist and passionate about music. I care a lot about my friends and family, they are what mean the most to me in life.

How did your interest in music start?

I have always loved to sing. My parents say I started singing as soon as I could talk. I have learned a lot about singing by listening to my favorite artists and by copying their singing techniques.
When I was 11 I took part in my first musical and I started performing alone when I was 14, singing and playing the guitar.
I put a lot of energy into developing every detail in the songs I sing.
What I like most is performing for people and showing the result of everything I've worked on. I've learned a lot as a musician from performing, and it's great fun!

What expectations did you have for folk high school?

I didn't know much about community colleges before I came here, other than what my mother told me. She said it was going to be a wonderful and transformative year and that I was going to make friends for life. She regretted that she had not gone to folk college herself. 

Best experience on the music line

The best thing about the music major for me is being able to keep playing music as much as I want, and being with others who like music as much as I do. It's great fun learning to play new instruments.

The best experience so far is the study trip the music major took to London, and being at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and listening and dancing to the wonderful band. It was also incredibly fun to spontaneously go up on stage there and sing "At Last" by Etta James.

What have you learned in the music course so far?

I have improved as a guitarist and learned to play the piano. I also practice playing the drums. I've learned to play in a band, it's the first time I've played with more than one other. It's fun with the dynamics when many people play together.
Personally, I have learned that I can travel to another country, enjoy myself and make new friends. I wasn't sure how to handle it, as I had only lived on little Vashon before. Now I also know that I can get better at speaking another language. Although mother has always spoken Norwegian to me, I have never spoken it myself.

A typical day at the music department may consist of a theory class with Arild and rehearsal for the next concert. I also spend my time learning to play new instruments and to play with the others on the music line.

It was great fun to participate in the open stage in November. Everyone had worked hard, and every single number was a success! It was so nice to be able to just relax and have fun.

Planning next year?

It is not so easy to say what I will do next year. I have entered a university in the USA, but I also wonder if I should stay in Norway and continue studying music here.