Jefferson City High School

     I am an alumna of Jefferson City High School.  Upon high school graduation, I attended the University of Missouri-Columbia where I received my Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in cello performance.  After acquiring my bachelor’s degree, I went on to study music education at The Boston Conservatory where I earned a masters degree in music education. 

     From 2004-2008, I was the Director of Secondary Orchestras in Washington, Missouri.  While there, my high school orchestra auditioned for and performed at Walt Disney World in Florida (2006), as well as receiving a gold rating and an adjudicator’s award at the Heritage Festival in New York City in 2008.  

     Over the course of sixteen years with the Jefferson City Public Schools, I have had the privilege of helping my orchestra students experience places such as New York City and Washington, D.C where they have worked with musicians and conductors from world renowned orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic and National Symphony Orchestras.  

     I love helping my students grow as musicians, as leaders and as a team.  Every day we work, not just on how to be better musicians, but better humans and teammates.  It fills my heart with joy to watch my students bloom during this process!  Especially when seeing them play as mature men and women in the senior orchestra after watching them grow over 8 years, almost a decade, from excited young fifth graders. Though I try, my students will never know how much I care for them and how much I want for them.  More than anything, I want them to know that my door is always open when they need me.

     One of the biggest highlights of my life has been the chance to return to my hometown and teach in the orchestra program that helped me discover a love of string instruments in fifth grade at North School. 

     Outside of school hours, I enjoy volunteering for music organizations to help promote music education.  I served as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Missouri Chapter of the American String Teachers Association for eight years and the Orchestra Vice President for the Missouri Music Educators Association for two years.  I currently serve on the Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra board as their Education Liaison.  I was one of six Finalists for the 2020 and 2021 Eisinger Teacher of the Year Award.  I am currently serving as President-Elect for the Missouri Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (MoASTA).

When I am not working on a music related topic, I enjoy Frisbee golf with my husband Eric, playing with our Old English Sheepdog named Alfred and our Collie/Australian Shepherd named Ash, cross-stitching, playing video games,reading or gardening.