My Story
I was born in sunny Johannesburg, South Africa, and moved to Canada at the age of 4. My parents were idealists, and wanted me to grow up in a world that had fast forwarded the progress they anticipated in our home country.
I started writing stories at 6 years old. My mom had fallen ill with Multiple Sclerosis, and my parents thought it wise to have me see the school therapist. I wasn’t wild about talking, but somehow I managed to trick the therapist (or did she trick me?) into letting me create little picture books that I wrote and illustrated myself. We wrote some more with my Grade 1 class, but by then I was hooked.
Near the end of high school something happened, something strange that I can’t quite imagine or pinpoint. I stopped singing. I stopped writing. I forgot about the integral element of play in both, and put them on pause to focus on academia.
After university I set out to see the world, teaching English in Korea and then travelling throughout 11 countries in Asia for a year, and by the end of it I felt for the lack of something, and of course, that something was art. Storytelling. Music.
So my life entered a new phase, one focused on the things I learned that I needed. I started taking piano. I finally finished my extended (111,000 word) writing exercise. I travelled to Turkey and Istanbul. I began the series I’d been playing with for years.
And now I’m here. Writing. Singing. Playing. Climbing up the waterfall to the life I’m dreaming of. I consider myself lucky to be able to try.
Random Facts
I’ve worked as a:
Customer Service Representative, at a pizza call centre, an English Teacher, a Youth Advisor, and as a Marketing Specialist.
If I wasn’t a writer/singer/songwriter, I’d be:
A digital nomad. Or a youth worker. Or a psychologist. Or an activist?
When I was a kid I wanted to be:
Still a singer and a writer. Or a fairy. Does that count as a profession?
Favorite music:
This changes all the time, but right now: Solange, Billie Eilish, Coldplay, Bidu Sayao, Bon Iver, Ed Sheeran, A Fine Frenzy, Gary Clark Jr., Sarah Barielles, Kimbra, Nico & Vinz, Stromae, Taylor Swift, Emilie Gassin.
Favorite book:
Street Magic by Tamora Pierce, if I have to pick just one.
Favorite movie:
I define favourite as something that I can watch again and again and again. So, probably Ever After.
Favorite TV Shows:
Mad Men, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Hana Yori Dango.
I live:
In Vancouver, Canada.
Ultimate goal in life:
Carpe diem, in a phrase. Also to learn to blow glass and live on every continent.
Personal motto:
You don’t know what you don’t know until you learn that you don’t know it.
Special Skills:
I’m a low black belt in kickboxing, and I’ve become very good at gesticulating for EFL learners. I’m also a mighty fine cook and I’m a perfectly mediocre artist.
Most people don’t know:
That I’m an immigrant. (#whiteprivilege)
I like to take pictures of weird signs.
I really like tea.
Where I’ve travelled:
I was born in South Africa, and I’ve lived in Canada since then. I lived in Korea for a year. I’ve also been to England (3x), France, Italy, America, the Icelandic airport, Uganda, Tanzania, Jordan, Israel, Malaysia, Myanmar, Taiwan, Japan (4x), Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, India, and Turkey.