My goal is to bring the joy of music to all people, regardless of age and skill level, encouraging them to find self-expression through music and to share that with others.
I’ve been teaching individual voice lessons to students of all ages for over 20 years. I started singing very early on in my life, and received my formal training in music at the University of Minnesota, Morris, Willamette University in Salem, OR, and at Minnesota State University Moorhead. I also studied voice extensively with the late Dr. Robert Olson of North Dakota State University and Linda Brice, the founder of the Transformational Voice Institute in Portland, OR. In addition to my formal training, I’ve attended a wide range of continuing education workshops covering voice and teaching topics. I’m also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, which gives me access to multiple continuing education opportunities.
Though I focus on teaching classical techniques, that can be used in a wide range of musical styles, my teaching philosophy is straightforward. I strive to make learning music enjoyable and accessible for all my students regardless of their age, skill level, or past experiences. Learning to sing fosters multiple benefits for all students. Most importantly, it guides them to find their own voice while teaching them self-confidence. I’m passionate about assisting students through this process using gentle guidance and encouragement while listening to and responding to each student’s unique needs. Everyone has a place in music and my goal is to help them find it.
Lastly, I believe that as a voice teacher, it’s vital that I continue to develop my own voice by working with a professional voice teacher as well as to perform live when the occasion presents itself. My previous performance and musical theater highlights include: original member of the Jazz Vocal Quartet, “The Hot Dishes,” performances with the “Swizzle Chicks,” Belle in “Beauty and the Beast,” Marian in “The Music Man,” Babe in “The Pajama Game,” and Tzeitel in “Fiddler on the Roof.”