I am a vocalist, composer, and music educator, inspired by curiosity, improvisation and the natural world. I have worked with children of all ages in the performing arts over the course of two decades.
I grew up performing with a Broadway vocalist mother and guitarist/singer father, who had been a touring duo, Bill & Lisa. My mom and I performed together for senior citizens when I was growing up, and through those experiences I witnessed how powerfully music can impact people's hearts and minds.
I studied piano as a child, before focusing on musical theater at Walnut Hill School for the Arts outside of Boston, during which time I performed at Lincoln Center and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I studied classical bel canto singing throughout high school and college, and finished a B.A. in Music at Oberlin, where I studied voice under Gerald Crawford. My greatest joys were singing in the Oberlin Collegium Musicum under Dr. Steven Plank, and singing eclectic a cappella and improvisation with Best of Cleveland-nominated ensemble, The Offbeats, for three years.
Living in Brooklyn from 2006-2013, I composed and performed electronic pop music in the downtown NYC scene, mostly as a duo called Suspicious Package, incorporating comedic performance art and theatrical dance.
Long walkabouts in faraway places have always brought me inspiration and joy. I've spent time living in New Zealand, Europe and Latin America, busking, working on electronic music production, songwriting, and learning about cultures.
After a long trip in Latin America, I fell in love with European jazz. From 2017 - 2022, I sang with several jazz Manouche (gypsy jazz) bands: Hot Club of Montauk, Chez Coucou, and David Williams' Trickster Carousel. I also got to sing classic 1930's-50's swing with the Hot Tomatoes (1930's-50's swing), and other jazz ensembles for events in the Denver area. I also consder myself a devotee of master vocal improvisers Rhiannon and Bobby McFerrin, whose techniques in vocal improvisation continue to inspire me and my teaching.
Hear more of my work on Soundcloud.
I was an Elementary Music Specialist for grades K-5 in the Boulder, Colorado area, where I completed an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction (Critical Pedagogy) from CU Denver. I deeply value teaching from diverse cultures and naming historical context within music teaching.
During the Covid Pandemic, I co-founded a community folk choir with two song-leader friends called Lift the Spirit Choir. Since moving to Charlottesville in 2022 to be closer to family, I have founded a Charlottesville chapter of the same choir. We are always accepting new members! I also sing alto with the Virginia Consort Chamber Choir, and occasionally teach group classes with MIMA. In Dec, I had the honor of creating an original vocal/video work for UVA's Coastal Futures Festival 2024.
I am also a mama to Dylan who was born in 2022.
Other Teaching Certifications:
Suzuki Voice (Book 1)
Orff-Schulwerk Level 1
Kodály Music Institute Level 1
