I grew up on the road. My parents were improvisational jazz musicians who spent 9 months of the year on tour. These extensive travels through Europe and North America from a very young age taught me a lot about culture, music and the dynamics of being a culturally sensitive part of a community. I was often perplexed by the different rules that came with each place. What was celebrated in one place was shunned in another. There seemed to be spectrum of values experienced within different groups of people. I quickly noticed that some traditions and practices were very helpful while others made me feel restricted or even trapped. Each culture came with its own structures, rules and desired results. Being culturally sensitive required the ability to observe and to adapt.

My early years of development in a culturally varied landscape allowed me to use the diverse options in front of me to create what I wished for in real time. Improvisation became a philosophy of life and I began to learn how storytelling is a universal language that connects people. Today, much like that early landscape, my work is also varied. But every aspect reflects my commitment to promoting cultural empowerment. I consider my work successful when I can create space for interactive connectedness.