I grew up in Fresno, California.  My first instrument was the piano, which I started at the age of 3.  I then picked up the cello when I was 9, though my first choice was actually flute.  My parents, with the best intentions I'm sure, lied to me and told me that my hands were too small to play the flute, and therefore I should play the cello.  Sad.  But 99% of the time I am happy I was tricked (but whenever I have to move my cello anywhere, I think about how much easier it would be to haul a flute around).  I joined the district's Little Symphony at 10 and eventually became first chair.  At 11 I became a part of Sierra String Ensemble, which competed and toured in the United States as well as in Europe.  At 12 I graduated from Little to Junior Symphony (ooh, ahh) and then went on to the Youth Symphony Orchestra.  I've been first chair in CODA symphonies, All State, the UCLA Philharmonia, the UCI Symphony, and have been a part of various trios, quartets, quintets, string ensembles, symphony orchestras as well as having soloed.

My favorite color is orange.  My favorite word is defenestration.  My favorite food is cheesecake.  My favorite band is...I don't really have a favorite band.  I like Weezer, Fastball, Cake, The Strokes, The White Stripes, Eminem, Incubus, Green Day, Beck, Bush, Nirvana, Queen, REM, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane, The Clash, Santana, The Ramones...too many, really.  In terms of classical music, I heart Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Rimsky-Korsakov (I tend to like Russians), Prokofiev, Dvorak, Copland, Kodaly, Hindemith, Shostakovich, Schumann (despite the fact that he wasn't very nice to his wife)...and you should all know by now that I hate Pachelbel.  Booooo Pachelbel.  Pachelbel has no cello love.  At all.

I'm horribly nearsighted but have the second best vision in my family (my dad and sister are technically legally blind). I think bobbing for apples is a really disgusting concept. I always have good intentions. I love cheese, except for Swiss; I think that tastes like feet. If I were an animal I'd be a manatee.  I've broken both arms and a leg (and sprained the other).  I've been attacked by carnivorous bees.  I've been electrocuted.   I don't understand why anybody would pay $100 for a square watermelon.  Edna E. Mode from The Incredibles CRACKS ME UP.  Thoughtfulness makes me happy.  I enjoy clever wit.  And pleasant surprises delight me to no end.