Building bridges through research, education, music and human connection.
The Full Story
It is easy to see a persons qualifications on a resume, but below I want to take you through the journey of how I became the versatile person I am today.
The Beginning
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There were two catalysts that set me on the path to becoming who I am today.
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The first would be my cancer diagnosis at age 9, undergoing experimental brain surgery to find a brain tumor encompassing my right temporal lobe. I came out of it and have since celebrated over 20 years cancer free thanks to my parents and medical team.
The second would be due to my surgery. I came out of my surgery alive, but different. I had cognitive deficits and personality changes. Once an outgoing and confident child became anxious and resigned. Again, my parents were a saving grace and facilitated my early introduction to music. I was introduced to the world of Opera that has since opened many doors to me I would have never gone through otherwise.
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The Middle
I had a markedly different childhood experience. Although retrograde amnesia took my childhood memories, I was given a mind that was precocious and forever thinking about the world around me.
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I graduated high school thinking I would double major in Nursing and Pre-med to achieve my desire to be a Pediatric Neuropsychologist. But life gets in the way. Vocal scholarships end, universities change, but new paths are forged. I obtained my Emergency Medicine Technician license and began working as an EMT in a children's hospital. I found love in helping, but I also found a passion in teaching. I taught children's hospital employees how to perform phlebotomy, and how to splint arm, legs, hands, you name it. I also began traveling and knew I wasn't meant to stay in one place. I began white water raft guiding on the Ocoee River and gained the confidence i never knew I was missing.
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After graduating with my bachelors of Research Psychology I set out to find where I belong in this world only to find more adventure.
The Now
Today, I am shaped by my past experiences and use them to do my best every day.
I moved to Germany in 2018, but it was not were I was meant to be. I then found myself in Romania where I found friendship, happiness, but also found how cold the Balkans are in the dead of winter. I took to Egypt to find warmth and found connection. I planned to return to Egypt and build a life there, but Türkiye found me first. I arrived in Istanbul and was in love. This city stole my heart, and I have called it home since.
In Istanbul, I not only found friends, but a family in the education start-up I first worked as an educator at, but quickly worked my way up to being a global program manager for the children's program. There were speed bumps. I had to return to the USA and I returned to the hospital, but remained on the non-profit side. I became the grant coordinator for a multi-million dollar maternal health grant, an educator of health equity and transgender healthcare, and an avid advocate for equilty in healthcare.
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After returning to Istanbul in 2025, I knew I must also return to the stage. I am happy to say that I am once again performing, and studying under the renowned AyÅŸe Sezermann.