There are so many people who made this experience possible for me, and I’d like to reserve the space in this project to thank all of them.
First, I am so grateful to Joel Appel and the Appel Faculty Board for selecting and funding my project. It’s very rewarding for someone to hear your project proposal and truly have faith in you, especially in a high academic environment like Claremont where it can sometimes feel like there is less space for the arts. This opportunity allowed me to connect with songwriting in a way I have never before while also creating something meaningful that I get to share.
I’m particularly grateful for Mellissa Martinez for acting as my Appel advisor and point of contact while I was abroad. She has workshopped countless ideas with me and was my number one fan each time I unveiled a new part of my project.
I want to thank all the incredible musicians I met along the way this summer: Ellis, Claire, Sorcha, Bridie, Steph, Leo, Anna, and Rakel. I can’t even put into words how inspired you left me feeling after my travels. Each one of you has made an impact on the way I think about music and I feel so lucky to have learned from all of you. And special thanks to those of you who agreed to participate in my project! Your interviews add such a great perspective and I very much enjoyed reading all your responses.
It wouldn’t be a proper thank you without thanking Richard, my music mentor and audio engineer extraordinaire. Thank you for opening the doors to your workplace and inviting me to experience what my future in this industry could look like. Heathen’s Cliff wouldn’t sound as amazing as it does without your expert touch and dedication.