For our November Member of the Month, we interviewed superstar member Patty Gea! Read on to learn more about her.
Tell us about yourself! It can be about anything – where you grew up, your professional background, your hobbies, etc.
I’m from central Jersey and am known for a prevalent penchant for purple. Professionally, I have a background in foreign languages and literatures, which accumulated into a study of six languages, studying abroad twice, teaching abroad once, and now being Executive Assistant to a bilingual office. My primary hobby is dance, mostly modern and hip hop, but I’ve performed ballet, flamenco, Chinese folk, etc. and am interested in learning more. Lately I’ve been doing yoga and am getting ready to design, draw and write this year’s holiday cards!
Why did you join TAP? What are your favorite events?
I first heard of TAP through long time friend and TAP board member, Jordan Hu, and joined to meet new people in this great big world. The Lunar New Year banquet is quite the party but my favorite has been the Dance Roulette series. The rotating schedule highlights many different styles and it has been such a pleasure sharing my hobby with, learning from, as well as teaching fellow TAPpers.
Tell us something cool that happened to you this past year.
This past year was really eventful: I ate fresh maple syrup pops served in snow at Quebec’s Winter Carnival, reunited with college friends after years in separate countries, road tripped all the way to Texas, took a personal fitness/wellness retreat in Barrie, Ontario, and earned my second promotion at work.
If we wanted to hang out, where would we find you?
You can find me at the studio taking a dance class or often cozy in a café. I have a sweet tooth, and a bakery, patisserie, or tea shop is a lovely ambiance for developing creative projects, sharing insightful conversation, and satiating my sweet tooth. Let’s grab a treat, then take a stroll to walk it off. :]
What’s your advice for newer members who want to get more involved?
If you’ve just started with your first event, stay tuned and come back for another! TAP has a very wide range of activities to choose from and as members we’re happy to welcome you and even work with you to organize something new.