Student Spotlight: Zoe Kay

Zoe Kay can often be found in the Silver Center practicing with the Mixed Emotions, PSU’s all female acapella group, or the University Chorale. She can also often be found down on Main Street working at Simply Sunflowers. No matter where she is seen, one is surely to be welcomed with a smile, and if lucky, maybe even with a song.

For those who don’t know her, Kay grew up in Dover, New Hampshire. She is a sophomore English major with a minor in music. She is an action and thriller movie fan, vintage fashion lover, and overall music enthusiast. This is something both she and her parents share. Kay grew up listening to the “oldies” and jazz, her favorite artist being Billie Holiday.

“I love all types of music, but have a special place in my heart for jazz,” said Kay. “I think it may have been more of my mom’s influence getting me into old music. I spent a ton more time with her and she had great taste in jazz and oldies. I probably gained some sort of ability from my dad genetically! He plays bass, piano, and sings. He attended Berklee College in Boston for music.”

Kay’s love for music has only grown since she has gotten older. Joining Mixed Emotions her freshmen year, she is now the Assistant Business Director. “My favorite song Mixed Emotions has on its set list this year would have to be our ICCA set which is an evolution through the decades! We are starting with Respect by Aretha Franklin in the 60s and ending with Beyoncé! It's a great homage to strong women throughout time.”

One of Kay’s most memorable moments at PSU was finding out she had made it into Mixed Emotions, and performing in the ICCAs. The ICCAs is the same competition the fan favorite movie Pitch Perfect is based off of. “Mixed Emotions auditions are held every year in the fall and we hopefully get accepted into the competition. Then the group performs in Boston,” said Kay. “I have only gone once, my freshman year, and it was such an empowering and amazing experience! The women in the group are so incredibly talented and it was so awesome to perform in such a big competition with them!”

When she’s not in classes, performing, or practicing, Kay says she likes to read in her free time. Kay also has big plans for the future. “I hope to be a high school teacher one day and then eventually get my Masters in Library Science. Hopefully I can become a children's librarian and possibly write a children's book!”

Kay has some veteran advice to first-year students, “my biggest advice to first years would be, just be yourself. This is an amazing opportunity to enjoy and build a start to your professional life. Make friends you love, end relationships that become toxic, don't apologize for being genuine, always be kind, and study what you love!”