Reuel Goins

Creativity abounds in the Communications program, where Reuel Goins explores where music can take you.

“I've really enjoyed having open-ended projects in my program instead of being given a specific goal. As a student, you need time to develop specific expertise, so having general prompts for projects allows us to develop and refine our skills.”

How did you end up at Concordia?

I’m from Pennsylvania, but I came to Canada in the first place because US tuition was insanely overpriced. My mom found out about Concordia, and noticed that it was constantly going a little bit higher and higher in college rankings. I liked the campus and Montreal a lot. Everyone was really nice, friendly and informative. Concordia felt like a place where students could have independence. I felt like I could see myself starting a new life in Montreal, which I did.

What was it like starting a life in Montreal?

At first it was kind of hard. I went to a very small high school with only 10 people in my graduating class. I didn't have a lot of experience being around new people. I really started to enjoy Montreal when I switched into Communications.

What do you like about your program now?

The Communications program is a great opportunity for creative people. You can branch into music, film or graphic design. The Communications community is tight-knit and friendly, with a collaborative vibe. People are willing to work together and help each other out. I love the Loyola Campus because it’s a bit calmer and has a more traditional campus feel. I've developed real connections with my professors, who are all very approachable.

The Communications program allowed me to explore my passions. I couldn't get into a university music program because I didn't know how to read music, but I was still super fascinated and interested in it. I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do with music when I entered my program, because I also like film, visuals, playing around with cameras and writing. I've done a little bit of everything, so especially for someone with ADHD, Communications is the perfect program because you can mold yourself in different ways.

How have you been able to pursue music at Concordia?

I'm not a traditional musician, but I make music on my computer. It's fun to manipulate sounds and see where certain textures can take you. I only started seriously making music at 20, which is when I got into my program. I credit the Communications program for giving me a lot of knowledge, because my growth accelerated from that time. I went from not knowing what scales were or how to mix to doing full sound projects. I think the most beneficial thing was just being around people who had sound knowledge. In Communications, you choose a stream of intermedia, moving images or sound. I chose the sound stream, and I don't think I would have been able to seriously consider it as a career without my program.

Are you working on any exciting projects right now?

Right now, I'm working with a section of the Concordia Innovation Lab. I'm working with a team on a project where we're designing an app to incorporate music, well-being and AI. Previously, I worked with the Innovation Lab on a project where we were trying to figure out a way to make students more familiar with inclusive language. My team and I made a zine to talk about topics related to being Black on campus, gender identity, immigration, addiction and learning English as a second language.