I am very interested in all areas of language study, be it my native tongue of English or foreign languages. I am fluent in German, and have some familiarity with Spanish, French, Latin, Anglo-Saxon, and Koine Greek.
Language study lies at the center of my intellectual life because it incorporates many different areas of learning in the humanities - literature, linguistics, philosophy, history, cultural studies, the arts, entertainment, and so on.
I believe that a rigorous education in the humanities is an oft-overlooked but essential component to one's life-long education as a human being. Language study facilitates the acquisition of the humanities in an especially holistic, stimulating, and flexible intellectual environment.
Furthermore, it's incredibly fun and enriching stuff! And if the fun in it can't be seen, my job and my longing is to help students see that all learning is an utter joy!
I feel drawn to teach so that I can help others begin to think about the world in a more informed manner, and especially so that I can help stoke the fire of curiosity in students and help them (especially struggling students who may be frustrated with a topic) learn to delight in learning.
My musical education consists of 13 years of choral singing, 12 years of electric guitar, 5 years of piano, and 3 years of singing classical art songs and opera. I have performed in principal roles in the University of Tulsa's Opera Theater and am currently singing in the Tulsa Opera Chorus for the 2016-2017 season.
I studied 3 semesters' worth of music theory and 3 semesters of ear training while at the University of Tulsa and I strongly believe that enhancing both one's aural skills and one's knowledge of theory brings a great deal of pleasure and novelty to the experience of all music, be it classical, pop, jazz, or death metal!