I was a band geek of the woodwind variety in high school – I dabble in other instruments, but am most at home with a clarinet beneath my fingers. In college, grad school, med school, and the years in between I kept my musical self alive by playing in whatever concert band, klezmer group, or synagogue band would have me. I moved to Boston in the summer of 2016 – by day (and by night!) I am a family medicine resident. A year later I stumbled upon School of HONK at HONK! Fest and immediately knew: “These are my people!” It’s not just that there are few other musical opportunities that would be amenable to my up-to-80-hr-work-week-schedule-changes-all-the-time-can’t-always-make-it-to-practice reality… It’s that coming together with folks of all ages and experiences to play & share music (for the sake of music and community and joy) and wear polka dots and dance around just MAKES MY DAY. The fact that my 3-year old niece is welcomed when she enthusiastically joins in on her one-note-recorder MAKES HER DAY and fills me with even more appreciation for the ethos of SoH. I love seeing the smiles on peoples faces when we are out on parade. I love watching folks in the audience jump in to join a dance for the first time. I leave every gathering with a smile on my face and a spring in my step.
