Irene is a free-lance cellist and a dedicated pedagogue. She is Cello Professor at Emporia State University, Director of the Stringfully Academy and teaches cello from her private studio in Emporia, KS. 

Irene is a graduate of Pittsburg State University with a Music Performance degree, Illinois State University with a Master in Music, and Emporia State University with a Performance Certificate. She has played as a soloist in Paraguay and the United States, and is a part of the Jopara Ensemble, which specializes in Paraguayan music, and a part of String Daze trio, which specializes in world and jazz music. 

Irene has been a member of several major orchestras including the Asuncion Symphony Orchestra, Universidad del Norte Orchestra, Topeka Symphony Orchestra, Wichita Grand Opera, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and the Midwest Chamber Ensemble. 

Irene is a dedicated pedagogue. She teaches cello from her private studio. Irene is also Cello Professor at Emporia State University and String Methods Lecturer. In addition, she teaches orchestra at the Stringfully Academy and serves as Director of the program. 

Irene has presented at the KMEA conference in 2023 on "Preparatory Shifting Exercises for Beginning Orchestra". She is a member of the Kansas Music Educator Association and the American String Teacher Association. 

Irene has done extensive Suzuki teacher training as well. 

Irene has co-founded several music traditions in Emporia, KS including the Chamber Music Soiree summer concert series, the Emporia State University String Camp, the Stringfully Academy and the Christmas Serenade. 

The Chamber Music Soiree is a summer concert with ESU faculty and guest artists that serves as the main fundraiser for the ESU String Camp. It was founded in 2017 and usually takes place during the first week of August. 

The ESU String Camp was created in 2018 as a one week youth summer camp for string players. The camp includes chamber music, orchestra, group classes, music theory and creative lab. 

The Stringfully Academy is an academy for string players in Emporia and surrounding communities that meets once a week. ESU faculty, alumni and students work together to provide a group lessons for young string players. 

The Christmas Serenade is an Emporia tradition; a free Christmas concert open to the community to celebrate the Christmas season with music. All performers are volunteers and the concert takes place at the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.