Carlos Lewison, Executive Director

What do you study formally or otherwise?

I studied music at UW-Oshkosh and have been taking graduate classes in Economic Development at Edgewood College. 

Most memorable experience? 

Exploring the island of Mallorca in a little Ford Fiesta one summer with a girlfriend for almost two months. 

Favorite spot in Madison?  

Around Lake Wingra and the Arboretum, this area is precious for all Madison folk. Anytime I can hop on a boat and enjoy the lakes brings bliss to me as well. 

Biggest fear? 

Not exploring enough of our wondrous earth. 

Favorite Quote: 

"Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart. "

Andrew Avery-Johnson, Assistant Manager

What do you study formally or otherwise?

Cultural Anthropology at the UW. 

Most memorable experience? 

Getting searched, thoroughly, by Italian drug police while trying to get into Italy after 24hrs on a coach bus. 

Favorite spot in Madison?  

The terrace, my bed, I don't know.  There are lots of great places to go and it depends on who you are with or what you want to do during a day.  Some good spots that I really like are the arboretum/Vilas park, the Memorial Union, the Capitol, Hoyt  Park (particularly the overlook), Reservoir Park. 

Biggest fear? 

Not Telling.  I'm not too big of a fan of roots though (the kind on plants). 

Favorite Quote: 

Andrew Goldemberg

What do you study formally or otherwise?

International Studies and History 

Most memorable experience? 

Drinking a milkshake and eating a chicken sandwich on Curtis “50 cent” Jackson’s tour bus when I was 15 years old.

Languages:

English, Spanish, and I can defend myself in Portuguese.

Favorite spot in Madison?  

My Favorite spot in Madison is the Memorial Library.  It is a great place to study and is also very quiet.

Biggest fear? 

Fear itself. 

Favorite Quote: 

“I am not a business, man.  I am a businessman. Let me handle my business, damn.”

Kristen Donat

What do you study, formally or otherwise?

Gender and Women's Studies at UW. I love photography and learning new things every day.

Most memorable experience?

Seeing the zebra and wildebeest migration in Tanzania.

Favorite Spot in Madison?

Anywhere by the water or in nature, especially campfires at picnic point.

Biggest fear?

Pessimism. 

Grateful for?

The people I love.

Helpful Quote:

"Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light."- off a Yogi Tea packet 

Angelina Krawiec

What do you study formally or otherwise?

Most memorable expeience?

Swinging on my old-school rusty swing in Poland during the summer time.

Languages:

I speak English and Polish, as well as some Spanish.

Favorite spot in Madison? 

I would say any green or forested area on Lake Mendota from where I can see the Madison Capitol building. Oh wait... nevermind! It's the hostel, of course!

Biggest fear? 

Too scared to even think of it, so instead, I'll tell you my #2 biggest fear. Anything furry that scurries in the forest, especially squirrels!

Favorite Quote: 

"Nothing in this world that's worth having comes easy." - Dr. Kelso, Scrubs

Languages: I speak English and Polish, as well as some Spanish.

Liz Schaefer

What do you study formally or otherwise?

I am an undergraduate studying Sociology and Latin American, Carribean, and Iberian studies. I'm also doing the Criminal Justice Certificate Program

I think that experience and hearing what others have to say teaches us the most. I love learning about different cultures and how they shape societies as well as individuals and their behavior.

Most memorable experience? 

Stepping into the tomb from which Jesus rose at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

Favorite spot in Madison?

The mini beach on Picnic Point. I also really enjoy State St, Monroe St, the capital area, and Williamson St.  

Biggest fear? 

Not sure. I think every fear can be overcome... I just still have to work on a few.

Languages: 

Leah Rockweit

What do you study formally or otherwise?

I received my Bachelor of Choral and General Music Education at UW-Oshkosk, and now I am working on my Master's degree in Music, with an emphasis on Vocal Performance. I also like to learn about dreams.

So many...

Singing in cathedrals in Italy. Music sounds so different in the acoustics it was meant for. Beautiful.

Skydiving over Lake Wanaka in New Zealand.

My sister and I getting a flay tire in the middle of nowhere in New Zealand. Neither of us had ever changed a flat before, but we figured if out!

Favorite spot in Madison?  

I am pretty new to Madison, so I am still exploring! But so far, I love Willy Street, the terrace behind Memorial Union, music venues, and coffee shops. Any coffee shop, so long as it has delicious, caffeinated coffee.

Biggest fear? 

I am afraid of unnatural things and mirrors. Like if a person looks into a mirror, makes a face, and the reflection makes a different face. Aah! If that ever really happened, I would freak!

Favorite Quote: 

"Music is the glue of the world. It holds it all together. Without music, life would be meaningless." - Empire Records (?)

What are you grateful for?

I am grateful for so many things. Life in general, really. But mostly, I am grateful for my family. I love them so much.