New Writer Welcome: Thorsten Sahlin

Please join the COA family in welcoming our newest writer, Thorsten Sahlin! Thorsten’s bio will be available shortly on our About page. Subscribe to COA so you don’t miss his upcoming debut piece ‘Whistler’s Mother is LeBron James.’

Q: If you’ve ever had a opportunity to dispel a common misconception about Swedes, this is it. Go!

My family is a couple generations over so I don’t have a ton to say that would incorporate any firsthand experience in the country. Although, as conversations go, people will generally inquire about the derivation of my name. When they find out It’s a Swedish name, 90% of the time they will say something to the tune of “but you’re not even blonde”. Many people are under the impression that Brigitte Nielsen and Dolph Lundgren have spawned the entire nation. Truth. Continue reading

New Writer Welcome: Emmie Strickland

Please join the COA family in welcoming our newest writer, Emmie Strickland! Emmie’s bio will be available shortly on our About page. Subscribe to COA so you don’t miss her upcoming debut piece ‘The Thoughtful Ballerina.

What’s a common misnomer about ballerinas that you wish to dispel today?

When I say I’m a ballet dancer, a lot of people ask me if my life is like the movie “Black Swan” and it is not at all! Most dancers within the ballet world are all incredibly supportive of one another. Of course, just like any other career, there is competition that abounds, but it is nothing like that movie.

Name a guilty pleasure song, that perhaps has nothing to do with ballet or the fine arts generally, but that you’d listen to over anything from Swan Lake.

“L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole or “Mambo No. 5” by Lou Bega.

How long can one dance professionally, and what does one do when one’s dancing days are through?

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