Hey I'm Lisa. I was born and raised in Austin, TX, and live in a wonderful 7-person WG in Bremen, Germany, where I am working on a master's degree in Early Music (Alte Musik) as a singer. I originally studied comparative literature (French and Russian) and went on later to pursue my passion as a classical singer. I love to sing (obviously), read, paint, learn foreign languages, travel, garden, hang out with friends, watch movies, and relax in beautiful natural environments.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love the idea of finding more friends from across the world. I also have been researching places to stay through AirBnB and finding that most of the places I can afford through that site are in fact just couches in people's homes. If I am going to be sleeping on couches, I would much rather it be through a community based on trust, friendship, and cooperative exchange rather than through economic transaction.

Interests

I'm a classical singer hoping to specialize in early music (music from the Baroque, Renaissance, and Medieval periods). Even though I'm finding my niche in early music, I still love so many kinds of contemporary music -- from experimental new classical works, soul and jazz, to indie rock and freak folk bands.

• singing
• folk music
• organic gardening
• early music
• foreign languages
• choral singing
• wild swimming
• co-ops
• reading monumental works of literature

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Billy Bragg, Wilco, Grizzly Bear, Joanna Newsom, Townes Van Zandt, The Beatles, Neutral Milk Hotel, Charles Mingus, Otis Redding, The Smiths (and so many more)
Movies: The Lives of Others, My Cousin Vinny, Pather Panchali, Fargo
Books: Demons, Ulysses, Moby Dick, Anna Karenina, Don Quixote, Grapes of Wrath (I like really long books -- I really have read them, I didn't just write them down to sound smart. And I know you don't have to read long books to be smart)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I lived in Moscow, Russia for 7 months back in 2010. I got taken off of a train and deported from Belarus on my way to visit a friend in Lithuania -- I didn't know I needed a visa just to pass through :0

What I Can Share with Hosts

My passion for music, literature, and the arts. Healthy home-cooking. Stories and laughter. Respectful presence and cleanly habits.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belarus, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Spain, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Russian Federation, United States