Resident Spotlight: Darryl Sim
I-House resident Darryl Sim knows what it’s like to land in New York, wake up in a room in I-House South, grab a Pret coffee, make music, and squeeze in a run along Riverside Park. For the past semester, Darryl, who is from Singapore, has been documenting his daily life on his YouTube channel and on Instagram (@soundslikedarryl), capturing the jet lag, the small wins of the day, and the occasional struggles that come with moving to a new city.
In 2024, Darryl began a master’s degree program in Creative Media and Technology at Berklee College of Music in New York City, with a focus on songwriting and music production. While reviewing a housing list provided by Berklee NYC, International House stood out. Without a clear sense of what living at I-House might be like, Darryl applied, moved in, and began adjusting to life at the House and his academic program.
During his first weeks here, Darryl decided to document his transition to New York on social media. His videos reflect the realities of arrival after 25 hours of travel, settling into an unfamiliar routine, and moments of uncertainty and surprise that come with beginning a new chapter abroad. He also documented life at I-House, the common spaces, and informal interactions with other residents.
As Darryl became more comfortable, he noticed how easily residents connected across backgrounds and interests. Conversations with others who were also navigating new cities, programs, and routines revealed a shared interest in creative expression.
The idea for an open mic grew out of Darryl’s undergraduate experience in Singapore, where students gathered weekly around a couch set in the middle of campus to perform. Wanting to recreate that sense of closeness, he partnered with a fellow Singaporean resident to launch biweekly open mics in the I-House Pub.
Arriving early to set up the first open mic event, Darryl realized he could not operate the sound system. He sent a message to the community group chat, and within minutes, another resident came downstairs to help. It turned out that this was also the same resident who had recently sold Darryl a mini fridge. As the open mic series continued, more residents jumped in too, assisting with setup, promotion, performing, and cheering one another on.
Darryl has hosted 25 open mics in the Pub over the past year, creating a consistent space where residents can share work, experiment creatively, and connect with one another. Outside of open mic night, he has performed at events such as Fall Fiesta and Winter Jubilee, experiences he also documented during a 16-week vlogging challenge he undertook last fall.
Motivated by the collaborative energy that grew around the open mics, Darryl became a Program Fellow at I-House this academic year. At I-House, Darryl found not just a place to live, but a community willing to listen, support, and create together.
Follow Darryl Sim:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soundslikedarryl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundslikedarryl/?hl=en