I attended Stanford University for my B.A., earned an M.M. (Master's of Music) from the University of Washington in 2012, and am now completing my D.M.A. at UW as well. All of my degrees are in music composition, a field that allows me to interpret and describe ideas that intrigue me in creative ways using sound. That said, I still have a secret crush on math and science, and I love exploring and analyzing languages and the written word. (In fact, much of the music I have written has been inspired by literary or linguistic concepts.) I have taught courses in music theory, history, and composition at the University of Washington, and I have tutored students of all ages in school subjects ranging from biology to social studies. I especially like working through math and standardized test questions since I enjoy puzzles and problem solving though helping someone to express their feelings and opinions in writing can also be very rewarding. In my spare time, I am an avid home cook and runner. I also love crossword puzzles and spicy food.
I feel that the most valuable aspect of education is learning how to think in different ways and approach problems from various perspectives. Even if a few years from now, you cannot quite remember how to graph an equation, at one point you thought through how to present information in a form that is easier to visually interpret. The exact meaning of "prestidigitation" might elude you some day, but if you ran across this word on the SAT or the GRE, you likely had to learn how to infer tone and meaning using limited information. These skills are valuable and likely what you will retain throughout your life. This is why I care about helping people think about problems not just solve them. I care about showing them the paths to solving problems or writing essays so that they can walk them themselves rather than rummaging around in their memories for disconnected facts and formulas. I do not just want to give you the car keys--I want to teach you how to drive.
