Welcome! I'm Olivia Koo '26, hailing from Los Alamos, New Mexico. I am studying biological chemistry on the pre-med track, and I'm excited to be supplementing it with music as a classical pianist and singer-songwriter! Some of my favorite things to do are watching YouTube videos about video games, singing and playing my guitar, and reading New York Times op-eds. Look through my page for information about Dartmouth's pre-med track, STEM research, acapella/music, and study abroad opportunities!
My First Experience with the Hop (And What It Has to Offer)!
Orientation at Dartmouth was a flurry of introductions, locations, and activities ranging from camping to bingo. But out of the many talks and group meetings, a particular one stood out: a discussion panel with the creators of a new performance called The Ritual of Breath. An intricate depiction of the complicated emotions associated with US police brutality against African Americans, the performance was told to be a combination of paintings, poetry, dance, and music. As the first of many performances and shows offered at the Hopkins Center (the Hop for short), Dartmouth's performance center, freshmen were given free tickets to the show. I checked it out the Saturday after classes started.
As a closet theater nerd, I had never seen the stage and music used so experimentally and effectively. The orchestra consisted of a few instruments, and they played chilling, dissonant music as a singer operatically sang lines from poetry written by Vievee Elaure Francis, who is a poet and an associate professor of English and Creative Writing at the college. The stage itself was an active participant in the show, the light and projections constantly manipulated to create a shifting atmosphere. In the end, the message was uplifting and thought-provoking: what role do we hold in the country and world for pursuing justice and equity? I found the experience an eye-opening experience, not just into the potential of the craft of theater, but also about Dartmouth's dedication to introducing spaces for open discussion.
The discussion board filled out by attendees of the show.
Watching other community members outside of Dartmouth visiting the Hop was another great experience. Since the Hop is the main performance center for Hanover, not just for Dartmouth, students and members of the community alike sit in Spaulding Auditorium to appreciate the arts. Dartmouth is integrated with Hanover in so many ways, with people walking through Berry Library and perusing the books, elementary students taking advantage of free food from clubs, and parents taking their children to play tag on the Green. The Hop is yet another way that Dartmouth connects to the Upper Valley.
It's also a great study spot!
The Hop has a multitude of different, world-class performances in each term, ranging from dances to movies to classical music; at the time I am writing this blog, they are showing films from the Telluride Film Festival! Not only are performances a short walk away from my dorm, but Dartmouth students also get a discount to all the shows: every performance is $10 or less, no matter the original ticket price (the difference depends on who's organizing it). Looking at the performance calendar for the fall term, I know that I'll be making the most of this opportunity, from operas to piano solos. Because the Hop will soon undergo renovation for the next few years, I plan to take full advantage of our performance center before it's time to leave for a while.
Dartmouth is not just a college. With world-renowned graduate schools, why would we choose to call ourselves a college instead of a university? The story behind that decision dates back to a significant Supreme Court ruling.
On a quiet spring Saturday in Hanover, I traded the usual campus buzz for Monet in the morning and archery in the afternoon—a reminder that Dartmouth weekends can be just as meaningful when they're slow, reflective, and a little unexpected.
During my sophomore spring quarter, I took on the challenge of four STEM courses, and while it has been intense, the unexpected connections across subjects and the joy of learning have made it one of my most rewarding academic experiences yet.
Read about the Sophomore Summer Soiree and how I got to witness the beginning of something that hopefully grows into a long-standing Dartmouth tradition!
Here is my list of the restaurants in Hanover within walking distance of Dartmouth. Whether you're touring campus for the first time or are a Dartmouth student in need of a new place to eat, feel free to reference this list!
As I approach the end of my first year at Dartmouth, I would like to reflect on some of the experiences and lessons I've learned throughout this school year.
