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Profile

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Artist Q&A

1) List your creative interests/artistic mediums (in order of passion).
Singing, songwriting, piano/violin, acting, writing, dance....[more]1) List your creative interests/artistic mediums (in order of passion).
Singing, songwriting, piano/violin, acting, writing, dance.

2) Do you consider yourself to be an artist? If not, why? If so, why?
I do. Id never heard the Saint Francis of Assisi quote in the questionnaire, but the second I read it I loved it. I consider myself an artist because I create things from my heart. Making music is how I feel things and process life, and hopefully what I create can do that for other people, too. Thats why I work, and thats what makes me an artist.

3) At what age did you begin your journey as an artist/musician? How did it come about?
I was introduced to music when I was 5. My mom was a music teacher, and she heard me singing along to the songs she would be teaching her choirs she wanted me to start learning an instrument so I could develop my ear and sight reading early, so she put me in violin lessons. I continued to take lessons through high school, and still play in the Biola Symphony Orchestra. When I was 8, I auditioned for one of the choral organizations my mom was involved with, and did that for the next 6 years, along with intermittent piano lessons. After I aged out of that choir program at 13, I started taking private voice lessons, and that was when I started figuring out that I really wanted to sing. The next year, we moved out of state (we ended up coming back after five months), and around the same time, some close family friends that had been like a second family became missionaries in Slovakia. That period of transition in my life is when I started writing songs. That summer was the turning point of when I started wanting to and considering myself an artist.

4) What drives you toward a career in the arts?
This is what I love. I cant see myself doing anything else, at least not anything Id enjoy doing for the rest of my life. Even if I dont end up with the career that I want, Ill still be an artist and a musician, I dont think I could ever stop being those things. The adage my parents told me and my sister (whos also a professional musician) sticks with me: Do what you love, just be prepared to say do you want fries with that?. Ive spent all this time preparing myself to serve fries, so I sure as heck am going to do what I love too

5) List your top three long term goals. (roughly 2 years, 5 years and 10+ years)
Make an album, go on tour, sign a record deal.

6) List your top three short term goals.
Experiment with a lot of different styles, collaborate with another student, perform a set of original music.

7) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how much do you value artistic/creative/personal growth?
10

8) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how much do you value becoming famous/well known?
4

9) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how much do you value being respected by your peers?
8

10) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how much do you value being respected as an artist by the general public?
6

11) Hypothetically speaking, if you were making a comfortable living through your work as an artist (i.e. paying the bills etc.), from that point, would you value becoming more wealthy, more or less than progressing artistically?
If I had a stable income from performing, I wouldnt mind both, but Id definitely prefer personal growth.

12) Would you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert? Why? (For the purposes of this question, we'll define these terms as whether you gain energy and feel most comfortable when you're alone, or with others).
If I like the people Im with, Im an extrovert. If I dont, Im an introvert. If anything, Id say Ive become more introverted as Ive gotten older, Ive come to value alone/recharge time a lot since Im around so many people all the time in college.

13) How important is spirituality in your life? What role do your beliefs play in your process and your work as an artist?
Im a Christian. My relationship with Christ is the most important thing in my life. I try to do everything to the glory of God. I dont know if Id be alive right now if it werent for my faith.

14) List your top 5 influences and/or inspirations in your life (artistically and/or otherwise) and a short reason why for each.
My Parents theyve always provided a constant example of faith and commitment to me, and they have always believed in me and encouraged me to do what I love (while still being practical, see the idiom of the fries).
My sister shes the person who made music seem cool and exciting to me growing up whenever I hear her sing, Im reminded of the emotional power of the human voice, and inspired to continue working on mine.
Owl City I love his music, and I believe hes an example of someone whos successful as a musician while still remaining true to his convictions.
Stephen Curtis Chapman Hes one of my moms favorite singers, so I heard him non-stop growing up. Listening to him now, Im floored by how good a songwriter he is he reminds me how much range, variety, and musical adeptness there can be in a three minute song. I listen to him whenever I feel like everything I write sounds the same.
Jordan Hernandez my best friend from back home. Were very different people to me, he is the personification of what childlike faith looks like. Everything he does, he does with wide-eyed joy and passion. Since I tend to be much more cynical, his energy always helps me approach life and faith with passion when I feel really jaded.

15) On average, do you seek instant gratification, or the payoff of hard work over time? Explain.
Generally, Ill seek the payoff over time. There was period of my life in high school where I really wanted be discovered and go viral, thought I was an amazing singer, etc. Then life happened, and I realized that not only was I nowhere near as good as I thought I was, but now that Im in college, I can see how much my artistic and personal growth and development would have been hindered if I actually had been discovered. Now, I choose to take the view that my job is to do my best and work with what I have and where Im at, and trust that God will provide the opportunities He has in store for me. There are definitely still times where Id love to have everything I want right now, but fortunately, life is always there to get in the way of those fantasies every time they start to get out of hand.

16) How do you feel you learn best?
I learn by experience best. If I have enough guidance so that I can do something myself, Ill retain it and be able to nuance whatever skill Im learning so much better that if Im just told how to do something and expected to do it that way.

17) On average, do you prefer inventing/creating your own techniques or learning proven techniques (explain)?
Yes. I always benefit from learning proven techniques, but I guarantee Ill try to figure out some way to put my own spin on it.

18) When it comes to your artistry, what are you most confident about? Also, least confident about?
Passion and authenticity. Why I fully commit to something Im doing artistically, Ill make sure I accomplish what I want to.

19) Describe your dream scenario for your career as an artist. Be specific!
Make an album, go on tour, sign a record deal.

20) Do you tend to envy other artists or feel competitive with them, or are you supportive of others?
Yes to both again. Its hard not to envy the success of others, especially when sometimes it seems to me like Im better than them, but as Im maturing and gaining a broader perspective and understanding of music and how hard it is, and how much I dont know about it, Im learning to be less prideful and more respectful of other musicians who put in work and do their best.

21) On average how much time per day (or week) do you currently spend working on your craft?
I practice singing every day, generally for about 1-2 hours. I write when I can usually Ill spend some time every few days to at least play through and revisit some things Ive already written even if Im not writing anything new. If I get an idea for a lyric, Ill try to make a note or scribble something down immediately and come back to it when I have time. As far as self-expression goes, thats dependent on what and how much needs to be expressed. There have been seasons of my life where Ive written from the deepest, darkest parts of my heart for hours every day, and other seasons where I just try to make something fun or catchy because thats the mood Im in that day. Whenever Im at school, Ill usually take whatever I can get.

22) What brings you the most joy in both life in general and as an artist?
I practice singing every day, generally for about 1-2 hours. I write when I can usually Ill spend some time every few days to at least play through and revisit some things Ive already written even if Im not writing anything new. If I get an idea for a lyric, Ill try to make a note or scribble something down immediately and come back to it when I have time. As far as self-expression goes, thats dependent on what and how much needs to be expressed. There have been seasons of my life where Ive written from the deepest, darkest parts of my heart for hours every day, and other seasons where I just try to make something fun or catchy because thats the mood Im in that day. Whenever Im at school, Ill usually take whatever I can get.

23) What makes you most frustrated both personally and as an artist?
Stagnancy. Whenever Im stuck, be it with a song, a vocal technique I may be working on, a spiritual area or dry spell, thats when Im frustrated. I always need to be moving forward and making progress if Im stuck in a rut, its easy (probably more so than it should be) for me to become angry or depressed.

24) Do you see yourself as more of a leader or someone who is comfortable in a supportive position? If it depends, explain.
Generally my personality tends toward leadership. If I have knowledge or comfort in an area, I usually feel best if Im in a position of control. However, if its in an area Im less comfortable with, Im happy to support and let a more qualified person lead.

25) On average, As you grow and progress as a person and an artist, is it more important that you have fun, or do you believe in a "no pain no gain" process? Explain.
I dont see why progress and growth cant also be enjoyable. Obviously, unpleasant growth is more valuable than fun for funs sake, but I think that the result of growth, even if the process itself is unpleasant from time to time, always turns out to be more fun.

26) What are you 3 favorite movies/films of all time? And Why?
Silk Stockings, The Bandwagon, Bolt (As Im writing this answer, Im surprising myself I think Ive seen more shows than movies recently, and my taste in those is much darker).

27) What are your 3 favorite artists of all time? And why?
Owl City, Jessie J and Zedd.

28) What are your 3 favorite songs of all time? And why?
Hmm...

29) What emotions do you feel you most often feel the need to express through your artistic creativity?
Ill usually use music to work through whatever Im going through at the time depression in high school is what fueled the vast majority of my songwriting then. Now, I often use it to verbalize mental or spiritual problems/dilemmas I experience. Uncertainty, yearning, emptiness are the words that come to mind although I do write when Im happy too... to adapt a quote from Baljeet of Phineas and Ferb: I do not know if it is so much cause and effect, I do a lot of (songwriting), the feelings come and go. (If you know what the heck Im talking about, good for you, you have my respect. If not, sorry for the weird ramble-y answer.)

30) Is there one or more styles/genres of music that you despise/hate/can't stand?
Hip-hop. Ive tried so hard to see the value in it, but I still just dont like it. Also not a huge fan of country, but Carrie Underwood is one of my favorite artists, so Im not sure how that works.

31) On a spectrum between 1 and 20, do you consider yourself more interested in technical perfection (1), or more interested in overall feel (20)? (For example, if it's an equal blend of the two you would answer "10") Explain.
8 I think that technique is a key element to achieving a good feel, most people Ive heard who are all feel and no technique really arent that good. However, I think technique should be used as a tool for the purpose of creating a good feel, it shouldnt be the end goal. If Im in a situation where I need to sacrifice technique for the sake of an artistic choice, I wont have any qualms about it.

32) Have your parents been supportive of your artistry?
My Parents theyve always provided a constant example of faith and commitment to me, and they have always believed in me and encouraged me to do what I love (while still being practical, see the idiom of the fries).

33) Do you find that you prefer short bursts of learning/working with consistent breaks, or longer, focused times?
It depends on my mood. There are times when Im able to focus and work for long periods of time, but there are also times where Im motivated briefly, accomplish what I need to quickly, and then take a break. As far as songwriting is concerned, Im definitely capable of spending long periods of time on something, but there are days where Im just not feeling it and everything Im producing is mediocre because my hearts not in it. I try to take advantage of inspiration when I have it, and not force it when I dont.

34) What are your thoughts or opinions on counseling/therapy/psychology?
Im currently in counseling I think its a powerful tool, and can be very dangerous in the hands of the wrong people. Ive seen benefits from it, and I think that the proof is in the pudding as far as any kind of counseling or therapy goes.


35) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how do you personally rate the importance of the arts as entertainment or escapism? (as opposed to as a way to go deeper into ones thoughts and feelings). Explain.
10

36) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how do you personally rate the importance of the arts as a means of personal expression, communication and meaning?
10

37) Are you technically savvy with regards to computers etc.? (What programs are you familiar with? i.e. Protools, Logic, Garage Band, Photoshop etc.). Do you enjoy this technical/engineering side of music? Explain.
Im not a tech wizard, but I pick things up pretty quickly. Im fairly experienced with Finale and Protools (although my retention for shortcuts is staggeringly low), and as far as general computer use/online use I think I know a little bit more than the average person. My dad is an engineer, so Ive (hopefully) picked up a few things from him in the last 20 years.

38) What do you feel is the best thing about you as a person? The least best thing?
I feel like my passionate personality is my greatest strength and my greatest weakness. Its what drives me and motivates me towards excellence, but it can also limit or distort my understanding of life. I feel things very deeply, and that can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how I use it. I can use my emotion to create, or to help others, but I can also let it drive me into a hole of self-pity and depression if I let it.

40) Describe the most recent piece of art you created. How do you feel about it?
The most recent complete piece of art I made was a song called Pretty Girl I wrote towards the end of last semester. Its based on the story of a friend of mine who is a survivor of sex trafficking. I think its one of, if not the best thing Ive ever written, and it was definitely the hardest to write. Its the only time Ive written music about someone elses story, and it was so special showing it to her because shes also a musician, and she had been trying to write it out but couldnt. That feeling of giving someone a voice is one of the most powerful, humbling things Ive ever experienced, and Im not sure Ill ever get that kind of opportunity again.


41) Do you plan to make music your full-time career? Do you have a "Plan B" in terms of a career choice? If so, what is it?
Well, I have been practicing my do you want fries with that. If I need a plan B, Ill figure something out. I have a high aptitude for things and Im a hard worker, and I also trust that God will feed me somehow, so Im not that worried. Ive considered EMT training and might pursue that next semester. I was a lifeguard for 5 years, so I have some of those skills.

42) Define success in the most personal and complete way possible. i.e. What is success to you?
Success to me is finding joy in doing what God has called me to do. At the end of the day, I know his plans for me are better than any plans I could make for myself, so if Im doing my best to stay open to his leading and pursue the passions hes given me, then Im successful.

43) List some of the things you'd like to get out of an educational/mentor-protege' program? Explain.
Id love to get some experience playing with different styles of music, especially things like R&B or soul. Ive never really studied songwriting with anyone before, Ive only ever done it by myself. Im sure I have a lot to learn, so Im prepared to take whatever you have to give me. I just want to gain more experience and understanding of how to express and create At this point, I dont know enough about what well be doing to be more specific than that.

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The Big Five Aspects Scale - Chris 's results:

Agreeableness: 82% (Compassion: 93%, Politeness: 52%)   Agreeableness[more]Agreeableness breaks into two subgroups: compassion and politeness. [collapse]

Conscientiousness: 83% (Industriousness: 82%, Orderliness: 76%)  

Extraversion: 89% (Enthusiasm: 79%, Assertiveness: 90%)  

Neuroticism: 93% (Withdrawal: 86%, Volatility: 94%)  

Openness to Experience: 97% (Intellect: 92%, Openness: 96%)  

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Enneagram Personality Assessment - Chris 's Results:

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