Growing up in North Dakota, I happily tromped over snow banks on the way to my piano lessons and learned to play the oboe in the school band and sing in the school choir. Soon, my piano teacher had me traveling around the state, despite blizzards, to compete in piano competitions. Honors in piano, band, and vocal performance continued throughout high school.

Fortunately, a four-year scholarship to a college in a warmer climate (Alabama) materialized. While obtaining a Bachelor of Music Degree in K-12 Instrumental and Vocal Music Education, I began giving private music lessons, performed as an oboist, singer, and pianist, and often conducted the university’s band and choir. On Sundays, I was a paid soloist at a Methodist Church before dashing across town to teach Jewish music to youngsters at a local synagogue, even though I was a Catholic girl from the Midwest. After college, I worked briefly as a radio announcer for a classical music station in Mobile, Alabama before continuing post-graduate studies at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.

In Los Angeles, I have taught band and orchestra full time at a public middle school. Currently, in addition to giving private music lessons, I am a part-time staff member at Children’s Music Workshop in Los Angeles, instructing beginning orchestra students.