Q. Where are you from?
I grew up in Danville, Illinois notoriously known for being the hometown of Dick Van Dyke, Jerry Van Dyke, Gene Hackman, Bobby Short, and Irving Azoff.
Q. Who is your favorite musical artist/group?
Hard question! I thoroughly enjoy a variety of genres with the exception of country music. I love Tony Bennett to Phish to Chromeo to Flume to Sam Smith to alt-J to Arctic Monkeys to Gaga. I really do not have a favorite; I just really enjoy the creativity in all types of music.
Q. Who (or what) inspires you?
The unknown of the future inspires me to focus on succeeding in the present. And just really accepting and understanding that we are capable of doing anything and everything we want to do in life.
I also get a lot of inspiration from my friends and family. I’m lucky to have a lot of creative people in my life and their energy and ideas inspire me to think deeper into my life.
Q. What drew you to The Gathering Group?
Having just worked for the inaugural Phases of the Moon Music + Art Festival I knew I wanted to get involved with another event. The concept of revolutionizing the festival experience with technology is fascinating to me and I wanted to be apart of a start up event.
Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
I would like to go on a year Eat, Pray, and Love type of trip sometime in my life with an added physical endurance push. Right now, I would start that trip in either Southeast Asia or Africa.
Q. What’s your favorite place to see a show (doesn’t have to be in Chicago)?
I love The Riviera Theatre, but only when I am sitting in the balcony. I am too short to see when I’m on the floor. I also love smaller, intimate venues, but the only one I can think of at the moment is a stage at Electric Forest last summer.
Q. What are 3 of your favorite things?
Working out to the point of a mind blank, dance parties, and The Whole Foods Salad Bar.
Q. What is your favorite album of all time?
Another tough question. I do not have a particular favorite album, but most recently I was a huge fan of alt – J’s, An Awesome Wave album.
Q. What song can you listen to on repeat without getting sick of it?
This varies, I listen to songs on repeat without getting sick of it when I know the words by heart. Right now I’m repeating a lot of Sam Smith and Chet Faker.
Q. What has been your most memorable moment to-date with The Gathering Group?
Hmm… I’ve been here for three days. Possibly just really getting that the vibe of this office is exactly where I want to be right now. High energy and focused with a sense of humor and fun.
Q. Do you have any hidden talents?
I danced for sixteen years and still have some pretty impressive moves.
Q. Anything else we should know?
I lived in Israel for nine months right out of high school and hiked the entire country from the North to South. Also, I am in the beginning stages of writing a documentary on music in impoverished countries.