Meet the Writer: Hazel Dequito

Hazel Dequito.

Hazel Dequito’s love for music and writing began at a very young age. When she was five she started taking piano lessons, vocal lessons and music theory classes. 

Her taste in music is diverse, as she enjoys listening to indie, alternative and some hip-hop. She wouldn’t fit her musical taste into any one category, as her preference changes with her mood. 

Some of her favorite artists include Rico Nasty, Lil Peep and Joji, and she has recently been listening to his latest album BALLADS 1 on repeat.  

One of Dequito’s favorite music experiences came at a Brockhampton concert in Philadelphia in 2017. She described the concert as intimate and passionate as she took in the energy around her. She could feel the connection between the artists and their fans, everyone living in the moment. Almost as if there was a personal connection between the band and the audience. 

She has written about Coachella (not a huge fan), indie rock stereotypes and Lil’ Peep, among other topics, for CMN.

Dequito’s love for writing started early and was heavily influenced by her English teachers in high school. They encouraged her to take journalism classes and get more involved in any type of writing.  

Some of her biggest inspirations have come from exploring the works of Shakespeare. She loves what his work has done for the English language and how it tests the limits of writing. Another one of her influences is Melissa Broder, a writer and poet. She is inspired by Broder’s use of taboo subjects of sex and love and pushing the envelope for women.  

You can often find DeQuito at Joe’s Coffee with a muffin and coffee, her favorite location for working. In the future, she wants to work either in music production, or art history, but has no preference at the moment. 

You can see all of Hazel’s writing for CMN here. 

Devin Townsend
Author:
Devin Townsend is a James Madison University student and student journalist born and raised in northern Virginia. Currently he’s studying for a degree in journalism and working for the school newspaper, The Breeze, in the culture section. This section covers music, movies, food and events happening in the Harrisonburg community. Currently, Devin is working to finish his degree, in his free time he enjoys playing club lacrosse at JMU, rooting for the L.A Chargers and hiking in the Shenandoah National Park.