Music has always been my anchor, a language of connection, comfort, and belonging. I started playing the fiddle at 3 yrs old at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. At 7, I picked up mandolin, and formed my first band, Cowboy Jesus & the Sugar Bums, soon after. We played throughout my childhood (we even won a Chicago Music Award!). In high school, I added guitar and bass, and now I make music with friends at UCLA in our band, The 529s. My musical style is rooted in folk, but I’m open to all sounds. I believe music has the power to turn anywhere into home and, through collaboration, create something greater than ourselves.