You probably know that former President Bill Clinton plays the saxophone, but did you know that Angelina Jolie is a skilled knife thrower? And that Pierce Brosnan eats fire and was hired by a circus? And how about former President George W. Bush? He was a cheerleader in high school.
These are just a few special talents of celebrities and politicians, but what about people in our own community? Rochester’s doctors, accountants, and college presidents moonlight as musicians, beekeepers, and quilters. Projectionists write plays, professors restore cars, and optical engineers invent hot sauce.
We spend the hour talking to some of these people and learning about their talents and hobbies. They are part of a continuing speaker series at the Memorial Art Gallery called Hidden Passions. You can apply to speak about your hidden passion here. Our guests:
- Jonathan Binstock, director of the Memorial Art Gallery
- Catelyn Augustine, massage therapist and co-owner of Eat Me Ice Cream
- Joe Carney, director of advancement at the Memorial Art Gallery and adjunct assistant professor of English at Monroe Community College
- Spencer Christiano, projectionist at the George Eastman Museum and playwright
- Anne Kress, Ph.D., president of Monroe Community College and quilter
- Danielle Raymo, office manager at Lime Energy and owner of the Rochester Brainery
- Jefferson Svengsouk, M.D., associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center and Native American flute player