Josh (35) is a traveling freelance opera singer that preforms opera, musical theater, with concerts and performances throughout the year and throughout the country. He also is Artistic Director of an opera company based in Vermont called BARN OPERA (www.barnopera.com) as well as an international summer operatic training program based in Italy (www.castellopera.com) In his spare time, he is a coffee-addict, beer-snob, and crossword puzzle fiend.

Hilary was a trained special education teacher at one of the country’s best middle schools that specializes in special-education. However, as we moved 5 years ago from the great city of Boston MA to the bucolic hamlet of Brandon in the idyllic state of Vermont, Hilary has been able to be a part-time teacher at the local elementary school, and enjoy life without the stress of Boston or its commute.

We absolutely love our lives, and want to share the beauty of Vermont with travelers. We have four other members of our immediate family; Liliana (6) is a riot, and will love to draw with you, read you books, and show you the meadow on the property - but be careful, she is very persuasive, and you may end up rolling down the hill with her! Chloe is the newest addition, she is 4, and is a snuggle-bug with a definite wild-child streak. She is one of the most fiercely independent and creative kids ive ever met! Our puppy Shadow is a 4 year old Australian Cattle Dog (our kids love Bluey, and were amazed that Shadow was a heeler!) He is protective of his herd, but as soon as you step foot in the door and throw a ball for him, it’ll be love at first sight! Lastly, our cat Tigger is just about the chillest cat ever, and immediately wants to be held, cuddled, and given attention. He is a love and a half for us, but if i were a mouse, I would think significantly less of him.

Finishing the family, Josh’s parents live in the house as Josh often is away for work, and they are able to help Hilary with the kiddos. Richi is a fiercely liberal volunteer for a million causes, and Kent is a wood-craftsman. They are always eager to meet new people, and share a beer and a conversation!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

We love to travel and we love to meet new people and experience the generosity of the locals where we travel, much more than staying in hotel or resort. So, when we are able, we want to extend that same generosity to travelers visiting our area!

Interests

we love traveling, watching movies, hiking, biking, exploring new areas, getting lost in cities we've never been, crossword puzzles, cards and board games, hosting dinner parties, relaxing next to our fire pit and roasting marshmallows, meeting new friends and exploring new opportunities

• cats
• arts
• theater
• concerts
• education
• chocolate
• cheese
• partying
• crafts
• movies
• board games
• traveling
• puzzles
• magic
• music
• opera
• cycling
• hiking
• teaching
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

we both love jazz, classical, pop, most types of music. Josh loves horror movies and thrillers and Hilary is a sucker for the romantic comedy and other types of movies. Hilary reads much more than Josh, and loves all types of books.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Josh lived in Hawaii, where he had the opportunity to jump off of a cliff that was 30 feet tall into 70 feet of water. He also experienced being so close to active lava that his shoes melted. (Performance wise, he sang a concert in a 12th century castle in Italy by candlelight, and has renovated an 1825 barn into an opera performance theatre)

Hilary spent time in Uganda helping an orphanage, and so experienced what it was like in the third world. She has such understanding and compassion for the less fortunate among us.

Teach, Learn, Share

Hilary is an arts and crafts guru, and would truly be willing to teach anyone how to make art out of solo cups, and Popsicle sticks. Josh would be willing to teach how to make a cheese or chocolate fondue, and answer any questions you might have about singing, music history or theory.

What I Can Share with Hosts

if we have time and availability we love to show visitors why we fell in love with this beautiful part of the world.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Italy, United States