My teaching career spans almost 40 years in five different states: Nebraska, Washington, Oregon, Kansas and Arizona. I started my piano teaching while a high school student in Nebraska to complete an apprenticeship with my piano teacher. I went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree from Seattle Pacific University and completed my Master’s degree from the University of Arizona in December 2011, with emphasis in Music Theory for both degrees. While earning my advanced degree, I was accompanist for University of Arizona Symphonic Choir, University of Arizona Community Chorus, the University of Arizona High School Honor Choir, and various college students for voice lessons. I also taught "Fundamentals of Music" and "Understanding Music through Listening" classes at the University.
Currently, my piano studio consists of 25 students (kindergarten through adults), and I also accompany many of the middle/high school choirs in Sahuarita School District. I am currently a member of the Tucson Music Teachers Association (TMTA) as well as the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). I continue to be an active member of my church, playing the piano in multiple services each week.
Prior to our move to Arizona, I taught a full piano studio (up to 25 students) in my home and was also an adjunct professor at MidAmerica Nazarene University (Olathe, KS) for 14 years. My duties included being the staff accompanist for choirs and many vocal/instrumental students, serve "as needed" to teach piano (class and private) and teach "Fundamentals of Theory" class. I have been involved in Music Teacher Associations wherever we have lived and have been an adjudicator for various piano festivals in the Kansas City area through those organizations. I also was the accompanist for 15 years for the choirs at Pioneer Trail Jr. High (now Middle School) and accompanied many junior and senior high vocal and instrumental students for solo contests in Kansas.
On a personal note, I have been married for 43 years to a supportive husband, and we have three married children, two grandsons, three granddaughters, four grand-dogs and two grand-cats. They are all the love of my life (even though they all live far away) and have been involved in music in some way. I have raised a family committed to music, along with their many other activities (read: sports, church, theater, etc), and I have taught students from elementary school through college and beyond, giving me a unique perspective as a parent and teacher. This experience helps me to motivate students to succeed in their music studies.