About Me

In a nutshell I am a mixture of mom, musician, educator, coach, and student on any given day.  I wear many hats, and I adore each one of them.  I have 4 beautiful children that range in ages between 6 to 19 yrs old, who keep me quite busy!  I was raised in Florida, then moved west with my family to Utah while I was in high school.  I have stayed out this way ever since, also living in Colorado, Idaho, and now Arizona. 

In addition to my family, my main passion is music.  Playing music, teaching music, listening to music, ever since I picked up my first clarinet at 12 I just couldn't get enough of it.  I also enjoy the outdoors.  Hunting, camping, hiking, as long as it puts me outside I will usually enjoy it.  I love going to the movies, and finding time to do absolutely nothing.  Downtime is essential to maintaining a busy, demanding lifestyle. 

Core Educational Beliefs

​​I believe that as a teacher, I am morally obligated to enter the classroom with the highest of expectations for each and every one of my students. Those expectations include: respect, dedication, perseverance, hard work, and honesty.  I believe in a Benefit Mindset, and teaching my students and program that we are all part of (and working for) a greater whole, with each one of us maintaining a responsibility to the success and future of that whole. 

I believe the student voice is as beneficial, if not more, than my own.  The student voice and program culture sets the sail, and consequent direction of any program. It is my job, as instructor and director, to nourish that voice, give them the tools necessary to meet the expectations and responsibilities required and set for them, and guide their voices through the multidirectional waters of learning.

I aim to bring an open mind, a positive attitude, and hold myself accountable to the same expectations each day. I believe that I owe it to my students, as well as the community, to bring consistency, diligence, and warmth to my job in the hope that I can ultimately inspire and encourage such traits in my students as well. 

As an educator and director, I am in a constant fluctuation of stages at any given moment: modeling, mentoring, supporting, and releasing. Not to mention learning myself. 
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I have an intense passion for music indeed, but an even greater passion for using it as a means to inspire others to find a sense of accomplishment, fulfillment, and success in and out of their musical endeavours.

Prior Experience

My formal background and degree is in Music Education and Clarinet Performance from Southern Utah University, with a professional career in business coordination and event planning over the years while I tended my family.  I am very excited to be returning to my passion career and roots.

Teaching and Education                         

• Private Instruction: Clarinet, Flute and Saxophone, past 20+ years
• Woodwind Tech, Canyon del Oro High School, 2017-2018
• Assistant Band Director, Canyon del Oro High School, 2018-2020
• Band Director, Canyon del Oro High School, May 2020 to Current

Professional Education

• Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT          B.A., Music Performance and Education, 2002

Professional Performance Experience:

• Utah Shakespeare Festival         Cedar City, UT
• Tuacahn Center for the Arts       St. George, UT
• Fort Collins Wind Symphony      Fort Collins, CO
• Colorado Symphonic Winds        Denver, CO
• Salt Lake Symphonic Winds       Salt Lake City, UT
• Orchestra of Southern Utah       Cedar City, UT
• Southwest Symphony                St. George, UT
• Christian Youth Theater             Tucson, AZ
• Arts Express Theater                 Tucson, AZ