Lauren Shapiro a freelance writer, songwriter, and dance accompanist at Alvin Ailey and elsewhere, holding an M.A. in writing from Manhattanville College, a B.Mus. from Manhattan School of Music, and a B.A. in liberal arts from Queens College, CUNY. Her publications include the song “Better Things to Do,” recorded in 2016 by Annika Chambers. Her essay “We’d Rather Be Driving a Honda” can be read in the Spring 2021 Notre Dame University Magazine, and “A Child Visit to Macy’s Santaland” can be read on the PBS website Next Avenue.