Toussaint Miller on Building Community, Blending Passions, and Shaping the Future
In Episode 34 of The Late Start Show, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with Class of 2021 alum Toussaint Miller, musician, neuroscience major, and civic leader. Toussaint shares his journey from a bright kid in Cleveland to a soon-to-be Harvard graduate heading to Oxford for his master’s in the history of science and medicine. He opens up about his deep-rooted passions for music and medicine, and how they intersect in his life, from jazz band memories at US to studying music’s effect on Alzheimer’s patients.
The conversation explores Toussaint’s community-driven mindset, including the mentorship program he helped lead and the Conscious Community Conversations initiative he launched during the social justice movement of 2020. He reflects on the role of family, his pivot to squash, his experiences as head prefect, and his love for French language and culture. Toussaint also discusses his advice for high schoolers feeling the pressure of college apps, the value of genuine curiosity, and the importance of building strong communities wherever you go. This is an inspiring, funny, and intresting episode that captures Toussaint’s unique blend of interests.
Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.
Toussaint Miller is a Harvard University graduate, musician, and civic leader, known for his interdisciplinary work in music, neuroscience, and community engagement. A proud Class of 2021 alum of University School, he was a head prefect and played trumpet in the school's jazz band. He concentrated jointly in music and neuroscience at Harvard, where he explored the effects of music on Alzheimer's patients and developed a research project on music therapy for cognitive impairments. Miller is slated to pursue a master's degree in the history of science and medicine at Oxford University and has been appointed the youngest member of The Cleveland Orchestra's Community Engagement Committee.