Staff member at The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck, NY Graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA in Cultural Anthropology Participated in the Semester at Sea program, visiting ten countries around the world Helped construct a community center in Nicaragua as a volunteer with the Jubilee House Community Played guitar for two great Chapel Hill bands--Flavor Seal and Baleen Is really excited about the WorldTrek

Brian was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; the first(and only) son of two avid musicians. As a child he had many interests which he enjoyed frequently-- getting dirty, climbing trees, swinging on rope swings, playing in creeks, eating vegetables out ofthe family garden, reading, playing with friends--and he still tries to find time for these things today.

Music has played a large role in Brian's life. His parents both play Bluegrass music, a traditional style of acoustic music that hails from the mountains of Kentucky. Many of his earliest memories are the groups of musicians that gathered at the house to play music wellinto the night. This fostered a life-long love of community and respect for the power of human connection and communication.

During his years in college, Brian became interested in connecting with people in different areas of the world. He traveled and volunteered in El Salvador and Nicaragua and also participated in the Semester at Sea program and a student exchange trip to Toronto,Ontario. After graduating he backpacked from Turkey to Scotland.

And he can't seem to get enough! Brian feels that by opening our hearts and minds to other people and cultures we can learn more about ourselves and this world that we share. He feels that the Odyssey is a powerful means of fostering a global community that will bringpeople closer in the years to come.