I was raised in a musical family where I began piano lessons at the age of 7 and studied a total of 16 years (this includes collegiate and post collegiate studies). While in high school I won a number of awards and scholarships through local piano societies, including two trips to the finals of our state-wide Michigan Music Teachers Association Student Day Competition. I also attended the Interlochen Arts Camp All-State program for 4 summers as a secondary student.

In 1998 I was accepted as a piano performance major at Michigan State University (MSU) on a Merit Scholarship. During late high school and college I played several piano solo piano recitals. I decided to change my major during my second year at MSU and graduated with a bachelor s degree in instrumental education from MSU and, later, with a master s degree in music education from Northwestern University. I started teaching piano lessons at the age of 16 and have taught on and off for a number of years since then. I have also taught instrumental music in public, private, and charter schools for 14 years (1 yr. of band & 13 yrs. string orchestra). I am currently the head orchestra director at Cypress Creek High School in Houston, Texas.