ABOUT ME
I have no memories of my two older sisters taking piano lessons, but I was drawn to their abandoned red and white John Thompson method books. I read and studied them so thoroughly that when I finally began piano lessons at age 11, I played the entire Primer book for my teacher at the first lesson and advanced at a rapid pace. I studied piano for little more than one year when my teacher had to stop due to health issues. I continued on my own, playing music of increasing difficulty including solos and accompaniments at church and school.
I entered Campbellsville College (now University) in my home state of Kentucky as a music major with a vocal emphasis. The drama program at Campbellsville was open to all students regardless of their major. After seeing two impressive productions during my first year, a passion was ignited, and I was determined to give it a try. At the beginning of my Sophomore year, I auditioned for "Children of a Lesser God" and was cast in the demanding role of James Leeds, a role I have performed twice since. Several plays and musicals followed, including the roles of Gene Garrison in "I Never Sang for My Father" and Rooster Hannigan in "Annie." Simultaneously, despite having had only one year of lessons, I was accepted for piano study during my Sophomore year and ultimately performed Senior Recitals in both voice and piano, earning a Bachelors degree in Music Education. Piano was obviously an innate talent and, against all odds, it felt like the stronger choice for graduate study.
I focused exclusively on music during my two years in the Piano Pedagogy program at the University of South Carolina. An Accompanying Assistantship paid my tuition plus a modest stipend, providing opportunities to accompany instrumentalists, vocalists (including a regional Met Opera finalist) and the Palmetto Mastersingers, an accomplished men's chorus. The Mastersingers' schedule included a performance of Randall Thompson's "The Last Words of David" for a visit of Pope John Paul II to Columbia, SC. As I was finishing my Masters degree, I was honored to receive an invitation from my alma mater, Campbellsville College, to return as a substitute instructor for one year. Two professors were taking semester-long sabbaticals, so I taught Music Theory courses in the fall and Music Education courses in the spring.
I then returned to my hometown of Somerset, KY, and opened Opus 1 Music Studio, teaching private piano and voice lessons along with Kindermusik classes for 3-5 year old children. I was thrilled to discover that a strong theatre company had been established during my absence. I auditioned frequently, performing a wide range of characters in diverse theatrical styles while teaching private lessons for several years then elementary school music and chorus for five years.
Intrigued by the possibility of a professional acting career, I applied for a leave of absence and ventured to the Big Apple. The experience during that year was rewarding enough to pause my teaching career and continue the pursuit. An interest in film and television lured me to Los Angeles where I lived and worked for a period of time, but I missed the spirit and energy of NYC. During my final year in Los Angeles, I taught music at four schools then returned to the East Coast to teach music for two years in Connecticut. I came full circle back to Manhattan where I taught at a gifted and talented school for eight years while performing regularly Off-Off-Broadway with the St. Bart's Players, the longest running community theatre company in New York City.
In 2015 I left the NYC Department of Education when I moved across the Hudson River to New Jersey. Although certified to teach in NJ, I used that transition as an opportunity to focus once again on a performing career. The hiatus from teaching was effectively energizing, but I have returned to the music classroom where my true talent and passion shine. I currently teach K-4 general music and a 3rd & 4th grade chorus at an elementary school in New Jersey.
I entered Campbellsville College (now University) in my home state of Kentucky as a music major with a vocal emphasis. The drama program at Campbellsville was open to all students regardless of their major. After seeing two impressive productions during my first year, a passion was ignited, and I was determined to give it a try. At the beginning of my Sophomore year, I auditioned for "Children of a Lesser God" and was cast in the demanding role of James Leeds, a role I have performed twice since. Several plays and musicals followed, including the roles of Gene Garrison in "I Never Sang for My Father" and Rooster Hannigan in "Annie." Simultaneously, despite having had only one year of lessons, I was accepted for piano study during my Sophomore year and ultimately performed Senior Recitals in both voice and piano, earning a Bachelors degree in Music Education. Piano was obviously an innate talent and, against all odds, it felt like the stronger choice for graduate study.
I focused exclusively on music during my two years in the Piano Pedagogy program at the University of South Carolina. An Accompanying Assistantship paid my tuition plus a modest stipend, providing opportunities to accompany instrumentalists, vocalists (including a regional Met Opera finalist) and the Palmetto Mastersingers, an accomplished men's chorus. The Mastersingers' schedule included a performance of Randall Thompson's "The Last Words of David" for a visit of Pope John Paul II to Columbia, SC. As I was finishing my Masters degree, I was honored to receive an invitation from my alma mater, Campbellsville College, to return as a substitute instructor for one year. Two professors were taking semester-long sabbaticals, so I taught Music Theory courses in the fall and Music Education courses in the spring.
I then returned to my hometown of Somerset, KY, and opened Opus 1 Music Studio, teaching private piano and voice lessons along with Kindermusik classes for 3-5 year old children. I was thrilled to discover that a strong theatre company had been established during my absence. I auditioned frequently, performing a wide range of characters in diverse theatrical styles while teaching private lessons for several years then elementary school music and chorus for five years.
Intrigued by the possibility of a professional acting career, I applied for a leave of absence and ventured to the Big Apple. The experience during that year was rewarding enough to pause my teaching career and continue the pursuit. An interest in film and television lured me to Los Angeles where I lived and worked for a period of time, but I missed the spirit and energy of NYC. During my final year in Los Angeles, I taught music at four schools then returned to the East Coast to teach music for two years in Connecticut. I came full circle back to Manhattan where I taught at a gifted and talented school for eight years while performing regularly Off-Off-Broadway with the St. Bart's Players, the longest running community theatre company in New York City.
In 2015 I left the NYC Department of Education when I moved across the Hudson River to New Jersey. Although certified to teach in NJ, I used that transition as an opportunity to focus once again on a performing career. The hiatus from teaching was effectively energizing, but I have returned to the music classroom where my true talent and passion shine. I currently teach K-4 general music and a 3rd & 4th grade chorus at an elementary school in New Jersey.