My Background & Experience
I am an experienced, supportive teacher, passionate about sharing my love of music and singing. I have more than 20 years of experience teaching piano and voice to children, teens, and adults in Minnesota, Maryland, and Florida.
My excellent background in vocal pedagogy (Contemporary Commercial Music and classical bel canto vocal technique) is due to my amazing voice teachers: Giulietta Simionato, Audrey Stottler, Helen Vanni, Dr. Marguerite Gignac Hedges, Marianna Busching, and Lila Olson. In addition to offering voice lessons, I have taught and designed curriculum for courses in solfège, sight-singing, ear-training, music theory, music history, lyric diction (Italian, French, German, Spanish, Latin, and English), and performance, and music business.
My teach experience includes work in community education (MacPhail Center for Music, The Children's Theatre, Mount Calvary Academy of Music, Schmitt Music), PK-12 education (The Blake School, St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, Perpich Arts High School), and higher education (Dougherty Family College and the Department of Music at the University of St. Thomas). I currently serve as the PK-12 Director of Visual and Performing Arts at The Blake School.
I hold a Ed.D (Honors) from the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota, a Master of Music, Vocal Performance, from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins; and a B.A. in Italian Studies (Phi Beta Kappa) from the University of Minnesota. My professional associations include Education Minnesota, National Association of Teachers of Singing, Phi Beta Kappa, and Mu Phi Epsilon.
My excellent background in vocal pedagogy (Contemporary Commercial Music and classical bel canto vocal technique) is due to my amazing voice teachers: Giulietta Simionato, Audrey Stottler, Helen Vanni, Dr. Marguerite Gignac Hedges, Marianna Busching, and Lila Olson. In addition to offering voice lessons, I have taught and designed curriculum for courses in solfège, sight-singing, ear-training, music theory, music history, lyric diction (Italian, French, German, Spanish, Latin, and English), and performance, and music business.
My teach experience includes work in community education (MacPhail Center for Music, The Children's Theatre, Mount Calvary Academy of Music, Schmitt Music), PK-12 education (The Blake School, St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, Perpich Arts High School), and higher education (Dougherty Family College and the Department of Music at the University of St. Thomas). I currently serve as the PK-12 Director of Visual and Performing Arts at The Blake School.
I hold a Ed.D (Honors) from the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota, a Master of Music, Vocal Performance, from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins; and a B.A. in Italian Studies (Phi Beta Kappa) from the University of Minnesota. My professional associations include Education Minnesota, National Association of Teachers of Singing, Phi Beta Kappa, and Mu Phi Epsilon.
Music Education Philosophy
Music is our birthright. Music does not belong to the gifted, the educated, or the young. We can all make music! I teach all ages - from 8 to 98, and all ability levels - beginner through advanced. I tailor my teaching to the needs and interests of my students. I am comfortable working with a wide variety of genres and styles, including bel canto (classical voice), R & B, Broadway, rock, gospel, country, and more.
Music is meant to be shared. Before iPhones, iPods, TVs, or even radio, if we wanted to hear music, we had to make it with our voices. Despite changes in technology, the desire to sing and communicate through song remains. I encourage all my students to perform - at home, in public, for family, friends, strangers... After all, confidence is acquired through doing.
Leave 'em better than I found 'em. I hope to not only help my students improve as singers and musicians, but also to be their guide as they develop a deeper understanding of who they are, as they become independent learners, and as they acquire confidence in their abilities. I train my student to maintain the health of their vocal instrument and perform with joy. I incorporate visualization, meditation, and movement to help students release tension, learn better and memorize faster. Through regular performance for family and friends, students grow in confidence, develop as musicians and vocalists, and build community.
Music is meant to be shared. Before iPhones, iPods, TVs, or even radio, if we wanted to hear music, we had to make it with our voices. Despite changes in technology, the desire to sing and communicate through song remains. I encourage all my students to perform - at home, in public, for family, friends, strangers... After all, confidence is acquired through doing.
Leave 'em better than I found 'em. I hope to not only help my students improve as singers and musicians, but also to be their guide as they develop a deeper understanding of who they are, as they become independent learners, and as they acquire confidence in their abilities. I train my student to maintain the health of their vocal instrument and perform with joy. I incorporate visualization, meditation, and movement to help students release tension, learn better and memorize faster. Through regular performance for family and friends, students grow in confidence, develop as musicians and vocalists, and build community.