Where are you from?
I was originally born in the Philippines but grew up in Darien, Illinois.
What is one thing about yourself that you want everyone to know?
I can solve a Rubik’s Cube in a minute and own a collection of them. In fact, I dressed up as one in 5th grade for Halloween!
A link to something about you (website, video, post, etc.)
This link is a video of my performance my junior year at UIC. I played The Wave by Keiko Abe during my percussion ensemble concert.
What are you up to these days?
I’m currently in my last semester of my senior year. Right now, I’m working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant for a database website called the Chicago Hip-Hop History Project, and I’m also involved with another nonprofit internship based in Chicago. In addition, I’ve been preparing for an upcoming performance of Emmanuel Séjourné’s marimba concerto, which will be showcased on April 25th with the UIC Wind Ensemble.
When did you intern with TCP?
Summer-Fall ‘25
How did you connect with TCP?
I needed an internship as a requirement and thought TCP would be a great fit. I messaged Sean if there were any spots open and here we are.
Did you gain anything from the internship that you’d like to share?
I gained a lot of hands-on experience working behind the scenes in live music production. Helping with logistics like packing, load-in, and setup gave me a better understanding of what goes into running a professional performance. I also learned how important organization, communication, and teamwork are in making events run smoothly.
What else did you do while you were interning?
Besides the internship, I spent a lot of time hanging out and going to music festivals and concerts, and I also worked as a research assistant during the fall.
Did you leave a legacy or mark on the organization that you’re particularly proud of?
I would say helping with Rhythm Fest for their 20th Anniversary was a really big and meaningful experience that I’m definitely proud of. Watching it grow from a small idea into such a huge and impactful event was something I’m really glad to have been a part of.
Favorite memory?
My favorite memory was definitely Rhythm Fest. Seeing all the great performances and musical guests was awesome, and it was such a special experience to be part of that day. I would love the chance to experience something like that again.
A GIF or YouTube link that sums up your experience with TCP?
If you were a cartoon character, who would you be?
I would totally be Otto from The Minion Movie.
A funny or embarrassing story from the internship?
I think hearing any of the guys’ dad jokes during a rehearsal or downtime made me laugh because of how good or bad they were 🙂
Our interns can experience every part of TCP’s organization, from visiting recording sessions to writing grants and everything in between. We accept interns almost year-round. If you’re interesting in learning more about an internship with Third Coast, please contact Sean Connors at [email protected].