About

I have been teaching music since 1999. I began teaching in Asheville, NC after graduating from UNC-Greensboro with a Bachelor's in Jazz Piano Performance. That same summer I studied two traditional West African instruments, djembe and balafon, with master musicians in Mali. I love learning about world music, dance, singing, and sharing my enthusiasm with students.

After graduating from East Carolina University with a Masters in Jazz Piano Performance, I decided to go back to the classroom and complete my teaching certification. I have always loved music and working with children! My husband teaches high school English and our family is all about education and positive, life-long learning experiences that can provide so many incredible opportunities for success and enjoyment.

​​As a National Board certified teacher in Early/Middle Childhood Music, I take pride in providing students with a fun, engaging, differentiated, and nurturing learning environment. Feel free to contact me anytime as I am here to support your child's music learning in the best way possible.

I am certified to teach the World Music Drumming curriculum, as developed by Dr. Will Schmid. I also completed Yamaha Music In Education certification at the National Association for Music Education in 2012. My goal is to teach the NC Essential Standards in Music using World Music Drumming, Kodaly, and Orff. These methods are very participatory and require students to work together as a team! Students learn by experiencing the music through singing, moving, and playing various instruments.

When I’m not teaching, I love to travel and enjoy our local culture with my husband and our twins- concerts and other events, movies, food, and parks. I enjoy running, biking, and yoga. Being outdoors, reading, listening to and playing music are inspiring to me, as is spending time with family. ​

I have been honored and privileged to work with some of the sweetest students and the most amazing educators in the field. I have experience fundraising for a piano keyboard lab, launching Creative Arts Night, and bringing in volunteer and guest composers, choral conductors, and musical artists throughout the years. These experiences are incredibly enriching for all our students. My schools have been featured on Wake County Public School System social media outlets, the Raleigh News and Observer, and WNCN's "Cool School of the Day," and PBS/UNC-TV's "North Carolina Now." My classroom was featured in Quaver Ed Teacher Voices article, "Building a Bridge to Learning and Discovery," written by Kristin Clark Taylor (former White House and current USA Today journalist) in September 2021. I thank our families for their continued interest, involvement, and support of our music program. A caring, invested, and involved school community goes a long way in a child's life.

​​I’m looking forward to another wonderful school year!