About Me

This is my sixth year teaching music at Penn Beach and Valley Park Elementary. I started my career in 2000, but have only taught for about 13 years, since I spent many years at home raising my own three kids!  My previous positions included teaching middle or elementary  school music in NY and PA.  After a family move to New Jersey, I was very excited to join the staff at Penn Beach and Valley Park to share my love of music.

My formal education includes a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. and a master's degree in Curriculum Development Instructional Technology from SUNY Albany in Albany, NY.  To continue learning, I attend professional conferences, music education workshops, and read blogs, articles, and social media devoted to current trends and lesson ideas in elementary music education. 

I currently enjoy singing with the Oak Singers of Salem Community College, accompany the Sparrow Women's Chorale in Pitman, and was previously a member of the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh.  At home, I play the piano and sometimes have the opportunity to collaborate with other musicians and serve as an accompanist for various events in the area.

Some other things that I love to do in my spare time include knitting, crocheting, reading, drinking coffee and tea, and taking care of my many houseplants.  (You can never have too many, right?)

I reside in Swedesboro with my husband, three kids (ages 21, 20 and 18), two dogs, Rustdi and Toni, two "barn cats", Pochita and Ella and we also just started raising backyard chickens this Summer!  (I included some of our past poodle puffs)