Bekah Zietz Flynn, Class of 2000
Bekah Zietz Flynn graduated from the University of Vermont in 2004 with a degree in Theater and a minor in Film and English. She started with her current employer, Sub Pop Records, a Seattle-based record label, in 2010 and works as a publicist managing general Publicity and International Marketing as well as video promotion for artists, working with national press outlets such as Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly and regional media (radio, TV, regional magazines), and International distribution companies to help promote Sub Pop roster of new releases. Bekah has worked with bands such as Fleet Foxes, Sound Garden, The Shins, Flight of Conchords, and The Postal Service. She is now a part of the A&R group at Sub Pop Records and has most recently signed Weyes Blood and Flock of Dimes to the label. Bekah says this is her dream job and Seattle is now her home. She moved there right after she graduated from the University of Vermont and plans to stay for a while.
In May of 2015, Bekah started a boutique candle company called The Dank Crystal. Each Dank Crystal candle is hand-poured with soy wax, enveloping a purified crystal within. The business has organically grown with around 20 stores around the country currently stocking Bekah's candles. Learn more at www.darkcrystal.com
When did you come to DVFriends, and from where?
I started at DVFriends in 7th grade, after graduating from Plymouth Meeting Friends School.
Can you tell us a little bit about your specific learning difference and struggles in school?
I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was in second grade and soon thereafter began after-school tutoring twice a week for 5 years. I was very good at skimming books but, did not really have a full comprehension of what I was reading, relying very heavily on my gift of gab to get by in school. DVFriends allowed me the opportunity to build a set of educational practices and systems, which I use to this very day. I find it funny that I am a publicist - but also am proud of myself for excelling in a career where I have to use words and language to represent bands. And for that, I credit my successes to DVFriends.
What changed for you at DVFriends?
My other school was supportive and amazing, but I simultaneously had outside tutoring 2-3 times a week. When I entered DVFriends, I didn’t have to go to tutoring anymore. I was able to ultimately excel and graduate from DVFriends and go to the University of Vermont - a big state school - and thrive there as well.
Do you have any special memories from your time at DVFriends?
David Calamaro taught history, and I found history to be fascinating. To this day, history books are still my favorite types of books to read. David was also very involved in music and he was the first to introduce me to music in the indie sphere. He definitely played a big part in molding my musical and educational experience - and helping me get to where I am today. He was also the first person to introduce me to Sonic Youth and Pavement, so Thank You for that Dave. Steve Cooney was also really invested in my education. And Pritch Garrett has a very special place in my heart. I was captain of the Soccer, Volleyball, and Softball teams and on the Yearbook committee. I look back on my time at DVFriends with great fondness. I was excited to go to college and see the world, but I loved my time at DVFriends. I found the freedom to be who I was.
What do you think the long-term value of a DVFriends education has been for you?
Learning to self-advocate. When I first started at the University of Vermont, I went through the academic support department for accommodations - but only ended up using their services for one semester. After that, I just advocated for myself and formed relationships with professors so that I felt comfortable asking for extra time on exams as well as taking my exams in my professors' offices with the use of music/headphones. To this day, I’m still amazed the level of trust my professors granted me with.
Anything else you would like to share about your DVFriends experience?
I'm honored to be part of the school’s growth that mirrored my own. I was part of the move from Harcum to Paoli and was honored as Alumna of the Year for the 2007-2008 school year. I find it inspiring that DVFriends is continuing to provide the highest level of education for people with Learning Differences.