Music has made a profound and positive impact in every area of my life. 

I began piano lessons and choral training at age five and continued my 

education in the basics of music through elementary school.  I had been 

dreaming of playing the harp from the start, but discovered my true passion 

for the instrument when I made the transition from piano to harp at the age 

of twelve. 

I am thankful that my secondary school years were spent in a state 

populated by a wealth of talented instructors and world-renown 

performance institutions.  The Saint Joseph Public Schools music program 

under the direction of Steven L. Reed afforded me an early opportunity to 

invest my time and talent in solo, ensemble and orchestral performances.  

With the help of my first harp teacher, Mrs. Meg Rodgers, I earned a 

scholarship from the Saint Joseph Monday Musical Club to attend summer 

music camp at Interlochen Center for the Arts, where I had the delight of 

studying with Professor Joan Holland.  

I transferred to Interlochen Arts Academy in my sophomore year of high 

school and spent the next three years concentrating on music theory, harp 

technique, interpretation and performance.  It was during my senior year 

with Mrs. Holland that I had an opportunity to explore the possibility of 

becoming a musician-educator.  She gave me the chance to be an 

orchestral tutor for one of her younger students and the experience was 

eye-opening for me. The delight of seeing another person learn and apply a 

lesson I had taught pointed me in a direction I wanted to continue.  I was 

one of five named as Outstanding Seniors in my IAA graduating class.

When I applied to University of Michigan, I specified my interest in both 

harp performance (continuing my studies with Professor Holland) and 

earning my license to qualify as a music educator.  By sophomore year, I 

was convinced that my first calling in life was to be a teacher and confirmed 

my commitment to the Music Education degree program with a Harp 

Primary.  In addition to classes, I enjoyed performing in the University 

bands and orchestras, giving recitals and serving as President of the Sigma 

Alpha Iota music fraternity.  I also volunteered and worked through my 

sophomore and junior years as a tutor, teacher’s assistant and children’s 

summer camp leader.  My student teaching semester was completed under 

the excellent supervision of Beth McNally at  Wines Elementary School, and 

 Katherine Rowan at Forsythe Middle School.  I graduated from University of 

Michigan with my Bachelor of Music degree and Teacher’s Certificate.

Now that I am a teacher, my aim is to lead and encourage students to not 

merely pursue their studies but to explore each subject as an avenue of 

understanding; to cultivate their particular talents for the fulfillment of their 

own dreams, to share their gifts for the well-being of others and to become 

a well-rounded citizen who is a credit to society. I realize that not every 

person is meant to master a musical instrument or artistic pursuit, but I 

believe that every person can learn to appreciate and find inspiration and 

insight as they experience something of the performing and fine arts. I 

believe that I was entrusted with this calling by the wonderful teachers who 

mentored me over the years and I am privileged to share this vision with 

the young people I will be teaching in the future.