Interview by Emily Hessney Lynch. 

Published April 26, 2018.

Where are you originally from? What brought you to Rochester?

I’m from New Hampshire originally. My family lives on an apple orchard up in the mountains. I came to Rochester to attend the University of Rochester, where I got a dual degree between the Eastman School of Music and the River Campus. I studied viola and comparative literature. I stuck around the area after college because there were more opportunities here than in the mountains of New Hampshire. There are good opportunities here for education and professional development. I worked at Eastman for awhile, and now I’m working at the Med Center. I also just started my MBA at the Simon Business School!

What is your favorite part of living in Rochester?

There’s always stuff to do! If you’re bored, you’re doing something wrong. There’s always new stuff opening up. I love the trails around here. Last summer, I hiked a new trail every weekend. There’s a tiny town park in Webster where you hike out on this trails and it eventually opens up into a field of wildflowers. There’s another similar one down by Honeoye.

I love the city too; people complain about how small it is here, but it’s not for a country girl! It’s very vibrant here. People are very open. I’m trying to engage more and be part of the community now instead of observing.

What are some of your favorite/secret Rochester spots? 

The basement of Eastman Theatre is like the Chamber of Secrets. Goodwin Park is a secret park between Park Ave and Sibley Place--just follow the yellow brick road to get there. I also love visiting the herb garden behind RMSC and sitting on the bench back there reading a book.

What's the most unique or interesting event you've attended in Rochester? 

I always try to keep an eye on what’s coming through Eastman. I look forward to new restaurant openings too--I don’t necessarily attend the grand openings, but I try to stay aware of what’s new. I love finding out about secret shows--I once went to one above an abandoned liquor store! My friend was playing in it and that’s how I heard about it. I went to some shows in the abandoned subway in college.

Perhaps my favorite event I’ve been to in Rochester was seeing an ethno-chaos group called DakhaBrakha perform at Eastman. They brought this incredible energy, and it’s so cool to be in a room where strangers are united in this common experience.

What are some of your favorite local nonprofits to support? 

I was a lifeguard at the YMCA near Eastman for a long time. The work they do is so important. They’re often sending kids home on the weekends with backpacks full of food. I try to donate to them and the United Way as well.

If you had $100 and 2 hours to kill in Rochester, how would you spend the money and time? 

I’d probably go to Swillburger, and then hit up Saturday Night Rewind at the Little.

What's your favorite coffee shop? 

Pretty much every Saturday I go to Boulder. I lived on Gibbs Street for five years, so I went to Java’s and Spot a lot. I love Glen Edith too.

Favorite place to eat? 

I love Basha on Monroe Ave--it’s incredible. We have so much good Mediterranean food in this city! Cedar has great baba.

Best place to get a garbage plate? 

I’m vegetarian, so I partake in compost plates. Red Fern and Dogtown are my two of choice--you can just flip a coin, they’re both so good.

What is your personal coping mechanism for cold/gray weather?

I actually prefer the cold and gray. I hate the sun; I burn really badly. I have inverse seasonal affective disorder. May through August is so beautiful that it’s hard to take. I’m constantly feeling like I should be doing more, so I can be fully in it. I love walking around outside when it’s really cold out--it makes you feel very alive in a Russian literature kind of way.

What is your favorite Rochester memory?

My first apartment was on Grove Street, before the apartments there were owned by reputable landlords. I loved it but it was horrible. There was this tiny fire escape up to the roof, and I spent a lot of time on that roof. It was the first time I really felt like Rochester was my home base. The elevator to the top floor of that building had an inspection certificate that expired in like, 2003, and someone had keyed “fart” into the metal. I have fond memories of living there, staring out at the skyline from the roof, and watching fireworks.

What makes Rochester unique?

It’s full of surprises. There’s a sense of awareness from its residents that it’s really special. People are trying to build their lives here. There’s a sense of city pride, and I really respect that.

What do you think could be improved about Rochester?

There are still huge economic disparities in the city. As we go through this renaissance, we need to have a sense of responsibility. How are we contributing to the city as a whole and improving everyone’s experiences? We need to engage everyone.

If Rochester was an animal, what would it be?

An opossum. People think they’re scary, weird, and gross. But they kill ticks, they’re immune to rabies, and they have six toes! Which is all awesome. I think that’s a good analogy for Rochester.

What advice would you give to someone who's new to Rochester and wants to get to know the city more?

Push yourself to get involved and seek beyond the superficial. There’s way more out there than what you may think.