φιλανθρωπία or philanthropia means "the love of humanity”. The question always remains: what will you do for the love of humanity, for the love of all life, today?

I believe passionately in education as a force for good in the world: education brings diverse peoples to the table and helps us realize what we have in common and how much more we can achieve when we work together. When faced with impossibilities I believe education has the power to make anything possible. Thus, access to a creative and critical education is vital to the future of our nation and a sustainable world.

I was born in Music City USA to two musicians. Thus, I like to say that music is in my blood. Music framed the earliest and formative years of my life. Music gave me a foundation for creativity and expression that I rely upon to this day. I was blessed with parents that were talented musicians themselves, and, believing in the importance of an arts education, they encouraged me to find the instrument that best suited me. Their love led me to many years of piano lessons, then trumpet, and ultimately voice—which eventually inspired me to train as an actor in New York City. Music has been instrumental in shaping me into the human I am today. Music guides and comforts me even still, and I have hope that peace and justice are possible in a world where music and the arts are nurtured and allowed to flourish. In short, I believe in the transformative power of the arts.