Varia

Outside of philosophy of cognitive science, I am a classically trained singer. I also maintain dilettantish interests in beatboxing, chess (among other sports), and fashion! This page contains descriptions of selected varia.

March 2025 was a month full of fashion. I had the pleasure of singing for a dinner in the Petit Palais as part of the Saut Hermès (sadly, we were not compensated with Birkins).

Just ten days earlier, I had performed in the Paris Fashion Week as a part the Duranimal défilé, by Dutch designer Duran Lantink. The fashion show combined music and couture into a fascinating exploration of animality and identity.

Typically, I sing in more classical settings. In April 2025, I sang in Verdi's Macbeth, where the lead was interpreted by Placido Domingo. In November 2024, I sang in Rossini's Le Comte Ory at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.

Besides opera, I regularly perform chamber music, including several concerts at the Philharmonie de Paris. With the COSU, we also regularly perform in the amphitheaters of the Sorbonne. Occasionally, we go on tour (e.g., in Germany and in the French Alps). We also hosted the Cappella Caeciliana and sang together on St. Patrick's Day for the British Embassy in Paris.

Outside of classical, Paris has afforded unique singing experiences. During the Bastille Day Parade in 2024, I sang La Marseillaise and original compositions of Nathan Stornetta with the band of Les Sapeurs Pompiers. That particular year, the défilé featured an Olympian bringing the Olympic torch to the President of the French Republic. We also made studio recordings of Stornetta's compositions Equus and Olympus (which are regularly played at the Puy du Fou).

In April of the same year, I sang music from the Studio Ghibli films with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at La Defense Arena, seating over 20,000 people. We were fortunate to have Joe Hisaishi as our conductor for both performances.

Before moving to Paris, I pursued a variety of musical activities at Oberlin College and Conservatory. From 2020-2023, I sang bass, beatboxed, and arranged music for the Obertones. The Obertones tour annually across the United States and are featured in HBO's Girls and Netflix's Bojack Horseman.

From 2021-2023, I also sang bass for Oberlin Conservatory's Collegium Musicum Oberliniense, directed by Steven Plank. During this time, on a trip to Oxford, I had the pleasure of singing with The Queen's College Choir for Choral evensong (video here).

Feel free to email me for musical inquiries. I work as a singer for concerts, church services, and weddings. As a beatboxer, I work for bars and church services (no weddings yet).

Incidentally, I'm always up for a game of chess! Feel free to write to me: I play on chess.com, lichess, and over the board!