We want to introduce you to our amazing intern team, who spends hours working behind the scenes to create content for our media platforms! Each intern has something different they contribute to OTHA, making them the most innovative intern team yet!
First up, Abby!
Abby is studying journalism with minors in business and sociology at The University of Colorado at Boulder. After graduation, Abby hopes to start working in broadcasting.
Music plays an important role in Abby’s life. She relies on music for support, helping her to relax and to take a break from the business of life.
“I love to listen to classical music when I’m studying, and I’ve found that my favorite modern composer is Jennifer Higdon. She is an amazing musician and I feel she inspires other women to follow their dreams.”
Interning at Off the Hook Arts has been a rewarding experience for Abby. She loves the flexibility and creativity that comes with interning, and is looking forward to improving her skills.
“Interning at OtHA has taught me the importance of expanding my talents…I have learned more about graphic design, building a social media platform, editing and print journalism through this internship, and I feel I will use these skills later on in life!”
A fun fact about Abby is that she earned her black belt in karate!
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Meet Serena, a double major in journalism and political science with a minor in Spanish at Colorado State University. Her hope is to work as a reporter or copy editor for a local newspaper!
Music holds a special place in Serena’s heart. As a flautist in her high school’s marching band, Serena has experienced valuable friendships, confidence, new perspectives and a better work ethic.
“I listen to a lot of pop punk and indie pop, and going to concerts throughout high school also gave me a lot more confidence and let me express myself.”
For classical pieces Serena recommends the following:
“As a flautist, I really enjoy baroque music and played quite a few pieces by C.P.E Bach. I also really love Briccialdi’s Carnival of Venice. AND I think more people should listen to jazz flute! Check out Frank Wess, especially.”
Interning at OtHA gave Serena the opportunity to practice her graphics skills on Photoshop.
When asked about what her favorite part of interning for OtHA is, she responded, “All the people! I also love the mission of OtHA, especially as someone who was heavily involved in music throughout high school.
Serena’s fun fact is that she’s been a news reporter for four different student media!
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Next up, our intern Chloe!
Chloe graduated with the class of 2019 from the University of Exeter in the UK with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. Chloe plans on attending the University of British Columbia in the fall to earn her Masters of Arts in English Literature, focusing on depictions of nature in romantic poetry.
For Chloe, music helped her through many dark times in her life. Music has also helped Chloe express herself!
“I taught myself to play the piano while in middle school, and since then have enjoyed learning songs as a means to express emotions that are hard to verbalize.”
For music recommendations, Chloe’s recommends Claude Debussy and Tchaikovsky.
“I have always loved Claude Debussy’s ‘Clair De Lune’, which my grandmother used to play on the piano. Another favorite composer of mine is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, whose music I used to listen to when I was younger and involved in ballet.”
Interning at OtHA has been a positive experience for Chloe, who loves to work on story threads, create social media content and work with our Meadowlark program.
“I have been able to see many students grow over the course of the academic year, and flourish in their musical talents.”
Chloe’s fun fact is that she loves animals!
“I absolutely love animals, and have an ever-growing menagerie of creatures. Back in the UK, I have two dogs, a tarantula, a colony of hissing cockroaches, a jumping spider, and a pond of fish. While in the US, I have my beloved parrot Maple for company!”
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Meet Bella!
Bella is a strategic communication major focusing in media design at the University of Colorado at Boulder. After graduation, Bella wants to move to Los Angeles and work as a graphic designer in the music industry. She also dreams of being an art director and making original content!
Bella began her musical journey at six, when she learned to play the piano. This quickly sparked her interest in guitar.
“Playing instruments made me appreciate music in a way that is different from a lot of people who’ve never played an instrument, and now I have another outlet for my creativity that makes me feel productive and gets my brain moving.”
OtHA gives Bella the opportunity to continue improving her graphic design skills, and allows her to create content for a purpose.
“Interning at OtHA taught me how important communication is and that it’s always okay to ask questions to push through a creative block. Also, OtHA, in general, taught me how remarkable nonprofits are and how impactful they can be for communities of all different types.”
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Here’s Shelby!
Shelby is a journalism major with a minor in communication at Colorado State University. After graduation, Shelby wants to move to New York and work in television!
Growing up, music played an integral role in Shelby’s life. Starting with piano lessons at six, she also took lessons in guitar.
“My favorite composer is probably Mozart. My mom would play his lullabies for me every year until I was eight or nine, so there is a sense of nostalgia there.”
Working as an intern for OtHA gave Shelby the opportunity to explore her writing style, practice her skills with the Adobe Suite and work for a good cause.
“I love interning at OtHA because they give me a lot of creative control. If I have an idea for a story, they let me pursue it. Our team encourages creativity, so any idea you have is discussed and explored. OtHA also taught me the importance of nonprofits in our community, and I have a greater appreciation for them.”
Shelby’s fun fact is that she loves taking road trips, and once drove from Tennessee to Colorado in one day!
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Next up is Ashley!
Ashley is majoring in Communications and minoring in Geology at Colorado State University. Following graduation, she would love to work for an outdoor agency such as USGS, Colorado State Forest Service, or Colorado Department of Natural Resources.
Music plays an important role in Ashley’s life. “When I have a task which requires my complete attention, I know putting music on at a low volume will eliminate most of the distractions around me. I have also found if I am feeling overwhelmed, listening to music while hiking or running will reset my emotions,” she says.
As for composers, Ashley enjoys listening to the Trans-Siberian orchestra team, Paul O’Neill, Jon Oliva, Robert Kinkel, and Al Pitrelli. These composers stand out to her because of “the way they combine rock and classical music for an intense listening experience.”
Interning with OtHA allows Ashley to gain experience in different areas. “Interning with OtHA has reiterated the importance of having open communication with one’s community, as this builds strong relationships. Having their support is a major component for continued success, while adding the mutual benefit of providing services to the community,” she expresses.
A fun fact about Ashley is that she served in the military after graduating high school, and was deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq for two years. Ashley was a military police officer!
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Meet Bianca!
Bianca is studying art with a focus in digital art at the University of Colorado at Boulder. In the future, she hopes to be either a graphic designer or a curator at a museum or gallery.
Bianca can thank music as it has “always been a great form of escapism for me during stressful times.” She especially enjoys listening to Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven.
Interning for OtHA encourages Bianca to use her talents in a meaningful way. “I love being able to make graphics for a nonprofit that is genuine about giving back to the community,” she says.
Fun fact about Bianca – she’s never been a part of a pyramid scheme!
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Here’s Camille!
Camille is majoring in journalism and media communications with a minor in international development at Colorado State University. After graduation, she plans to move abroad part-time and teach, while working from home to take advantage of travel opportunities.
Music is important to Camille for a variety of reasons. “My father has been a saxophone musician all of his life. I grew up going to Santana concerts and jazz festivals. Music has changed my life in so many ways it’s impossible to describe. I am trying to integrate music into my professional career as well,” she says. Her favorite classical piece is Nuvole Bianche (White Clouds) by Ludovico Einaudi.
Camille thoroughly enjoys interning for OtHA, and is grateful for the way it has shaped her passions. Her favorite part about her internship? “The company itself. OTHA is working hard to better the community and the lives of children through artistic expression. It feels great to work for a company that is so morally conscious and good.”
Camille’s fun fact is that she loves to hula hoop!
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Finally, meet Belle
Belle is majoring in journalism with a minor in creative writing at The University of Colorado at Boulder. After graduation next spring, she hopes to move to New York City and work at a fashion magazine.
In middle school, Belle played the piano for two years, as her grandmother was a great pianist. She used to play at weddings and in churches, which aspired Belle to play as well. Her father also plays the violin and guitar, so playing music is in her blood.
“I’ve never taken an interest in listening to classical music. But, once I started interning with OTHA, it opened me up to listening to it. Classical music has helped me study and destress.”
Belle has enjoyed interning with OTHA. She especially liked being able to create graphics for social media while having a lot of freedom in doing that. Belle had a lot of fun writing articles for the crowdfunding campaign about her father’s musical background.
Belle’s fun fact is that she has two french bulldogs.
We greatly appreciate all the work our interns do for us. Without them, OtHA wouldn’t be the same fun, light-hearted community it is now. Thank you to all of our past and present interns, we would not be as successful as we are without all of your hard work!