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Profile

I grew up in a small college town in Minnesota surrounded by the music of my mom and sisters. My first instrument was piano, and I was introduced to the violin in fifth grade by an outstanding public school teacher. All through my childhood I sang in school and church choirs. Music has always been the center of my life, and I treasure all the fine teachers that helped me grow throughout my lifetime. I have played in several professional orchestras and a piano trio, and have enjoyed teaching children ages 5-18 in my private studio as well as students at the collegiate level.

Faculty perspective

"It is an honor to teach young adults at the college level and support them as they sort out their career choices. I feel extremely blessed that my work balance of performing and teaching has been so satisfying and fulfilling, and that it continues to help me grow individually on a daily basis."

Research interests

A special interest of mine is string pedagogy, so I chose to research Suzuki’s Violin School Vol. 1 for my Doctoral dissertation. In each chapter, I analyzed a piece and broke down the technical elements to help teachers and students understand the challenges and achieve success in building a solid technique. 

In conducting the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Strings I’ve researched how I can introduce the students (given their limitations) to as much standard professional repertoire as possible. I have adapted several pieces such as the Tchaikovsky String Serenade finale, Bartok’s Rumanian Folk Dances and Anderson’s Sleigh Ride to make them accessible to  6-12th graders, yet as close to the original composition as possible.

Professional activities

• Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, violinist
• Dayton Philharmonic Youth Strings, conductor (2008-24)
• University of Dayton, adjunct professor of violin

Courses taught

• Violin
• String Master Class
• Chamber Music