Being on stage in Brazil is where Isabel Lima ’24 wanted to be most as a child. Landing her first musical theater role when she was only eight years old led her to seek out any creative classes that put her in the spotlight: dancing, acting, singing. As a preteen, she even starred in two
Category: Student Profiles
Rashida Anderson-Abdullah ’24, who now goes by HP Sherie (The Headbanging Princess) to symbolize her transition from politics and journalism to music and entertainment, grew up in a family that bonded through music, often watching awards shows together on television. Through those experiences, plus her fascination with a handful of rock and heartthrob bands during
As a student majoring in communication at the University of Ottawa, Longhao Li ’25 quickly developed a passion for advanced film and sound techniques. As he worked closely with a professor, he learned even more about video and animation. One of his first film projects involved interviewing First Nations people to create a short documentary
Graduate school was never part of the plan for Kay Cui ’24. She did well in classes like math, history, and English, but she didn’t want to study those subjects in depth. Instead, she preferred immersing herself in the world of entertainment and spent much of her childhood playing piano, flute, oboe, and cello. Her
Elementary-school performances of established works on piano and in theater gave Samantha Westlake-Hart ’25 her first exposure to creative arts. Just a few years later, in high school, she realized she enjoyed behind-the-stage experiences just as much as being in the spotlight.
Dubbed the Hollywood of the South, Atlanta has a thriving arts and music scene. As James Young ’24 grew up there, he was surrounded by opportunities to participate in theater, music, and film. His mentor, Cheryl Cardwell, taught him voice and piano. As she got to know his talents, she encouraged him to pursue acting,
Though her interest in entertainment began as a young child on the amateur stages of Los Angeles, it didn’t take long for Evan Pearl ’21 to start wondering: What goes on behind the camera—and behind the curtain? As she prepared for college, Pearl knew she wanted to work in entertainment, but she didn’t know what
At the intersection of culture and creativity is where Peri Warren ’22 likes to spend most of her time. Earning a degree in American Studies with a focus on Black Studies from Occidental College in 2019, she appreciated the interdisciplinary and intellectual experience of getting to explore topics like U.S. civilization and cultural studies all
Roberta Jafet ’23 says her enthusiasm for the arts began as a child in São Paulo, Brazil. She was involved in every arts-related activity possible, from theater to choir. When it came time for undergraduate school, she pondered a musical theater career but went a different direction, studying architecture and urban design at Fundação Armando
Jonathan Kwock ’23 grew up with some of the Midwest’s best regional musical houses in his own backyard. Surrounded by theater and the arts, he spent time at notable venues like STAGES St. Louis and The Muny, even performing with Muny Teens. When it was time to search for a college program, he chose Northwestern’s