Meet the Member: Carissa Pitkin Jones

We asked Fuse member Carissa Pitkin Jones some questions about her life and career path. Here’s what she had to say:

Q: Where are you in your career trajectory?

A: I am a classical pianist, teacher, and performer and have been teaching in the studio or classroom setting since 2005.

Q: What are some of your past internships?

A: I’ve worn quite a few different hats in the past. I did an internship at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York in 2006.

I’ve also held teaching fellowship positions in Boston and Cincinnati. I worked with some non-profits and concert series as their music director and was Editor for an academic music journal. Currently, I serve on the Board for the Camerata Musica chamber music series in town.

Q: What’s a piece of advice you’d give your 13-year-old self?

A: Don’t try to be a square peg and fit in a round hole. Admit to yourself that you are a trapezoidal peg and go out and make your own place for yourself.

Also, ask TONS of questions.

Q: If you could live one day in another person’s life, who would it be and why?

A: Eleanor of Aquitaine. Because she was a trapezoidal peg. And she rode bare-chested into battle once to rally the troops. In the 12th century.

Q: How, or where, do you connect with people best?

A: I connect with people best one-on-one. I think this draws from my experience as a teacher working individually with students.

I like having in-depth, multi-faceted conversations with people. But often people surprise you, and I don’t always like to frame interactions with expectations or superlatives.

Thank you, Carissa!