1. Where did you move from to attend the UO? And, briefly describe how you landed on the UO AAD program. Any interesting, funny, anecdotal stories/details are welcome.

I landed in Eugene in 2006 from Chicago, IL. I attended my undergraduate education here and moved here to get away from the concrete, the lack of authentic connection and quiet frankly everyone I went to high school with (think of Breakfast Club Emilio Estavez and Molly Ringwald types).

Finding myself here was when I fell in love with the culture of the West Coast. Call it my cultural renaissance period. I toured with a band, String Cheese Incident and found myself so involved in counter cultural exploration and the excitement of being accepted to be different. I was still holding on to conformity and structure, so I enrolled at the University of Oregon and was awarded a scholarship and support from the family to further pursue higher education.

Fast forward eight years and here I step forward into the UO AAD Program. I took about four years off between undergraduate and grad school for professional performing arts as well as event production work. I feel fueled by the arts in my life.  Arts in participatory culture brings a greater spread of awareness to community as well as more weaving the global threads of innovation. Lots of story on my road to glory, but more time to unpack those soon. It is such a pleasure to write again, as I feel blogs hold platforms for expression and personal identity. Cheers.

2. Area of concentration in AAD?

Concentration of it all? In truth, I am drawn to three of the four concentrations. I find myself inspired to implement my skills into context with art in community spaces. I love production work and operations, and am aware that both performing arts management as well as media management with excel this work in the field dealing particularly with festival culture and its every emergence into our default world. My focus will be Community Arts Management with an emphasis in Media and Performing Arts. That seems simple enough…

3. Describe your knowledge and use of technology systems. Responses should include the following:

• Computer platform you use (Mac, PC, Linux, other)

Currently on a new operating system Mac Os X with 2.6 GHz Intel processor and retina display. I know alittle about everything and nothing about one specific thing. The curse of Generation X. I am versed in Mac as I have been user since the early 2000’s and enjoy their artistic and intuitive systems.

• Smart phones, tablets, other hand held/smart devices

Smart phone generation. Iphone for around 5-6 years. Able to operate tablets with ease and efficiency, but know that often their response time with specific websites can differ (not a fan of this, happens also with cell phones).

• Digital Cameras, Video, Audio devices

Experience with run of the mill digital cameras. Enough to understand uploading photos in folder and getting them on the web for storage is the extent to that. Video experience minimal but have worked with iMovie to edit. Audio devices include the smart phone. Looking into Voice Memos as how to upload and store info.

• Peripherals – printers, scanners, other necessary and/or cool gadgets

Wireless HP Printer/Scanner. Pretty basic knowledge of how to get these going. Biggest excitement for me in this skill set is setting it up in multiple places besides my house (your def. the cool kid when you bring a printer to event gig-except then everyone wants to use your printer…not cool).

Cool gadgets-Bluetooth audio devices. Being able to connect my iphone to bluetooth technology in order to play music. Super fun and extremely useful.

4. What software do you commonly use? Briefly describe purpose/application for software on your list

*Antivirus/Utility-Cleaning up and making sure my computer is run over by monsters.

*Audio-iTunes for basic music needs/podcasts

*Database-Used databases for volunteer coordination positions for gig

*Email (Gmail, uoregon, hushmail)

*Internet browsers (FireFox, Safari, Chrome)

*Operation System (OS X)

*Microsoft Office (Intermediate understanding of PowerPoint, Excel, Word)

5. Do you have any graphic design or media production/management experience? Have you taken any graphic design or media production courses?

I wish. In my time being a self employed artist, I have really stood by supporting artists in their field. Naturally, I was surrounded by amazing graphic designers that were in school. This is how I was able to have such a great website and really felt supported in this field. Now its time in my professional path to take the reigns on some of this technology and really dive deep.

6. Know anything about Typography?

Nope. Just breaking down the words though, I am thinking font geography.

7. Do you use Web 2.0 apps? Name those that you use or are familiar with.

Didn’t know what this was until I searched the web. Then I realized, wow this is all I use. I am a Web 2.0 user full throttle.

8. Do you use Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Vine, Yelp, etc.)? Name those that you engage in.

I engage in lots of Social Media outlets, but mainly Facebook and Instagram. I used to engage on Snapchat but lost interest, however used it frequently for one of my gigs this summer to promote the anticipation before doors opened. I use Yelp and other sites but do not go as far as to make a user name.

9. Tell me something unique about yourself.

I spin fire. I have lived in Eugene almost a decade. I have seen bioluminescence. I have the same first and middle name as the Tara Rin thai food in town. 

10. Anything else?

I love this nostalgic children’s toy called the hula hoop. I teach and perform throughout the world. To find out more, visit Little Plastic Circle