My Background & Credentials
I love to teach! I have been teaching voice lessons since 2004 and it has been my full-time job since 2019. I absolutely love working with singers to help them reach their musical and performance goals. Many of the students I’ve taught have earned lead roles in school and community theatre, some have won classical singing competitions, and many go on to major in music at prestigious colleges and conservatories! Some of my students want to improve their singing for personal enjoyment or to advance in their choir. Many of the high schoolers I teach try out for Regional and All-State Choir. In recent years over 94% of my students who tried out for these choirs made it in! My background in singing technique and pedagogy aids students in achieving a free and beautiful tone while singing with detailed musicality. My passion for teaching music literacy coupled with student practice increases students’ ability to make honor choirs, excel in auditions, and improve their musical ear, independence, and music reading skills.
From 2011 to 2022 I directed the most advanced choir in the Children’s Division of Phoenix Children’s Chorus (PCC) and taught music literacy. In addition to my work with PCC and teaching private voice lessons, I taught at Desert Canyon Middle School in Scottsdale, Arizona, for 13 years. During my time at DCMS the size of the choral program doubled and our auditioned choir performed three times at the Arizona Music Educators Association Conference. I have directed choirs at the Oregon Bach Festival, Carnegie Hall, and the Sydney Opera House.
I am an active member of American Choral Directors Association and the National Association for Music Education, and have served as a guest conductor for multiple choral festivals in Arizona and New Mexico. I have worked as a soprano (and alto when needed!) soloist at several local churches.
I am a native of upstate New York where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from the State University of New York at Geneseo. I continued my studies at Arizona State University where I received my teaching certification and Master of Music degree in Choral Music Education. In my free time I love to hike and spend time with my husband and our cats.
The Studio
Your voice lessons will take place in my home located in a private community at the base of scenic South Mountain. The studio is set up in the great room of my house. It is comfortable, but with plenty of room for movement based learning exercises, kinesthetic techniques, and blocking if your repertoire calls for it. The centerpiece of the studio is a lovely baby grand piano. A full length mirror allows students to visually observe and assess themselves during the lesson. There are several benefits to taking lessons in my home. Distractions will be limited, unlike lessons at a music store or studio where you will be competing to be heard over other students playing drums, pianos, trumpets, and other loud instruments. My students can perform, sing, and learn in a quiet and private environment.
The area around my studio is easily accessible from anywhere in the Valley from I-17, I-10, and US 60. The rapidly growing area features shopping and dining options, as well as a Starbucks. You could even go hiking on South Mountain after your lesson!
Please note that I do have cats.
Next Steps...
I am currently accepting students and would love to hear from you!