About the Artist
Hello, my name is Lauren Vitale and I'm a sophomore Psychological Science major in the Honors College at Rowan University. I conduct research in a lab at the university centered around anxiety and depression, which applies to my current career goals of working in the mental health field. Apart from my interests in psychology, I've always had a strong passion for music. Throughout my life, I've been a part of many musical ensembles that have allowed me to express my love for singing and playing instruments. Even though I'm studying music in college, I'm still heavily involved in music, as I sing in the University Chorus and the Honors Choir at Rowan. Vocal music, specifically, has been one of the primary factors that has shaped me into the person I am today. Being involved in music has given me such an appreciation for different cultures and eras because no matter where you go, music is a part of a culture's identity. My own experience with singing music from places around the world has inspired me to ask questions about the geography of music. Given the opportunity to research a topic within Glassboro in my Honors Cultural Geography class, deciding to do my project on the history and impact of music was an easy choice because even your average town in South Jersey has its own unique musical culture that's worth celebrating.