I was born in Strasbourg, France, to a French mother and a German father on January 28, 1973, which makes me an Aquarius (one who lives in the realm of ideas and mental pursuits). When I was just a few months old, we moved to neighbouring Germany, where I grew up in the picturesque southwestern border region called “Saarland”.

At age 16, I was awarded a scholarship, jointly sponsored by the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag, to spend a year abroad in the United States. But one year turned into twelve …

I studied International Relations and Dramatic Arts in Miami before moving to New York for an apprenticeship with the UN. When I was invited to complete a 2-year professional acting certificate program at the renowned Circle In The Square Theatre, I chose Broadway over United Nations Plaza.

At the same time, I put my foreign language skills to use and began to apply myself to translating and interpreting, e.g. for the “International Point of Contact” translation bureau and the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau.

From 1998 until 2001, I lead an exciting „double life:“ as a concierge for the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel New York, I catered to the VIP clientele’s every need, and as an actress, I satisfied my creative appetite by appearing in stage productions from off-off-Broadway to the Metropolitan Opera.

In 2001, I returned from the US to Europe to pursue work as a freelance translator and copywriter in Germany and England. I developed a close working relationship with the German ABC Entertainment GmbH and its London-based partner, Charly Films, and established myself as one of their preferred partners by – as they put it – “consistently delivering smart and insightful texts” for their DVD productions.

In 2004, I became ABC’s artist relations manager, working with an illustrious range of acclaimed musicians, from  Al di Meola to Alice Cooper and from Patti Smith to Public Enemy. I also moved from behind the camera in front of the camera, creating and presenting a series of artist portraits and hosting live events as an interviewer and moderator.

Nine years later, I found a new calling: since 2013, I have been working as a communication coach for German as a second language, training academic professionals, mostly medical and legal practitioners, mostly from Syria, Iraq and Russia. When the European migrant crisis reached its preliminary peak, I also began working with refugees from the Middle East, Africa, South-Central Asia and the Western Balkans. It was this very rewarding experience that also made me decide to want to go back to study. In 2015, I received my LL.M. in European and International Law with a focus on human rights protection.

And today? Who knows – I’m always open for the next challenge!