I grew up in musical family with deep Idaho roots. My dad always played in a classic rock cover band, and I would occasionally join them for a performance at a fair or local rock show. He believed that if there were plenty of musical instruments around, his kids would learn to play them... or maybe that's just how he justified his 13 guitars. My mom made sure I had piano lessons and eventually hired me as a filing clerk so that I could pay for the ballet, flute, saxophone, and voice lessons I wanted (not all at the same time). I ventured into musical theater and jazz vocals, performing as a featured vocalist and pianist with the community band, and in over 20 musicals with local theater. Along the way, I picked up opportunities to teach music and dance at summer camps, and gained experience playing for everything from restaurants to churches.In 2011 I graduated suma cum laude from the University of
Idaho’s music education program. While there, I studied piano and voice as primary and secondary instruments, with
coursework in elementary music, choral education, and piano pedagogy. Much of my coursework overlapped with the piano performance major, and I had the same piano instructors and weekly studio classes. Other highlights from my college years include touring Europe with the Vandaleers
choir, accompanying more than 30 voice students and other instrumentalists, teaching hundreds of children and teens, and becoming a state finalist in the BMI John Lennon Song Writing Competition.
Since then I have lived and taught on both coasts including both private lessons and PreK-8 classroom music. I've enjoyed teaching group ukulele classes, beginning & middle school band, choirs, and directing children's musical theater. In 2016 I founded a 30-voice auditioned adult choir to bring music to my community through concerts that were both financially and artistically accessible. Highlights of that experience include directing a popular annual Easter oratorio and being invited to perform as part of a combined choir with Garth Brooks at Autzen Stadium. My husband's career has brought us to Northern Virginia for the second time as of February 2022, and we plan to remain permanently.
As a parent of three, I understand the demands on families' time and resources and do everything I can to communicate well with parents and make music lessons as enjoyable as possible. Please visit my contact page to ask questions and schedule lessons!