A WONDER FUELED CURIOSITY FOR LIFE
An Honors Student Profile
For first-year Honors student Max Michaud, wonder has fueled his imagination and has been what has driven his curiosity about life. This was all developed and nurtured as a young child with an interest in magic. While in his first year studying physics and astronomy, he is continuing to develop that childhood curiosity further here at the University of Arizona. If double majoring wasn't enough he is also in a band called "Pink Phantom," and is also developing his own solo music under the name "Asteria." I had the opportunity to interview Max and find out what it's like being a first-year Honors student and how his love of music is a catalyst to further wonder in his life now.
Describe your experience being a first-year Honors Student?
Being an honors student has been a rough transition from my past curriculum, but ultimately enriches the depth of my education. It's such a stereotype, but time management has been the biggest struggle that I have learned a lot about and am still learning to deal with. I've found that the more freedom you have over your life, the more difficult it is to control. For the right person, the Honors College can be a tool to remove inconveniences so that you can focus on your education.
What excites you about studying Physics and Astronomy?
I've been curious about the way the universe works since I was very small. Surprisingly enough, stories of magic have been a driving inspiration for me to pursue physics. Knowing certain forces about how a thing works lets you perform acts and build things that look like real magic — something I've always wished was possible. Physics details the overarching forces that govern the rules of so many other scientific fields; it seems to me that the best attempt at understanding the driving forces of the corporeal world is understanding the physics behind it.
Describe your journey of being a musician and in a band?
Music has always been a big part of my life, but I didn't realize it was something I needed until junior year of high school. I discovered what it was like to pursue music on a personal level and realized the freedom that comes with the vulnerability of performing. While I am currently a part of Pink Phantom and collaborate with several other artists on small projects, my primary focus is my solo work under the name "Asteria". Asteria isn't just the music to me; it is every creative part of me condensed into one entity that has so many branches that interweave and inspire newer, smaller projects.
Where can people find your music?
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3wzuhWWcPf680VcMm1BB8H
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-last-glass-tree/1493323338
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/max-michaud-676915130