Teacher Bio
I was born and raised on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. I received my Bachelor’s of Music Education with an emphasis in voice from The University of Southern Mississippi. During my years as a music student I was able to perform in multiple international choral tours including: Italy where I sang in multiple basilicas including St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, multiple locations across France including in Paris where I sang solo in Notre Dame, all over cathedrals in England, and my senior year of college we traveled to Jamaica and sang for the Prime Minister. I was a member of the Southern Miss Choral Singers, the Southern Miss Chamber Singers and a singer in the Southern Miss Belle Tones which was the female pop a capella group for the university.
As an educator I have been teaching music and the fine arts for thirteen years now, but only eight years in the public school system. I taught for the after school and summer fine arts program Frick and Frack Music for eight years before moving out to Arizona and teaching fine arts k-8 for two years in the Buckeye Elementary School District. Helping to produce and conducting over fifteen concerts and musicals throughout my years of leadership. During my time in Buckeye I received Inca’s teacher of the month November 2015 and December 2016. I also received the Buckeye Elementary School District’s Employee of the Month for February 2016. Here in Laveen I have earned District Employee of the Month as well as Vista del Sur’s Excellence in Education award for the year 2019-2020, this is the highest achieved award in our school district. I am currently furthering my education by working towards National Board Certification.
My greatest passions in life are music and teaching children. Ludwig van Beethoven once said, “Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.” So, when I think of music education there are so many aspects that I feel are essential to making music. I look forward to guiding other people down the path of learning how to make music. As an elementary music teacher, I understand the value of teaching the fundamentals of music theory, and the importance of reading music and comprehending how to sight read music. Not only do I want to teach the fundamentals of music, but I also want children to get the chance to experience music in the most tangible way possible; by performing. Part of teaching music is not just giving children focus to develop good life skills, but to help them experience music on an entirely new level. Watching students find their own passion through music is what I ultimately hope for. By using creativity, I intend to turn simple learning exercises into fun games that kids can enjoy. By making music fun, interactive, and exciting, children can take part in the making of music, which I believe is the best way for anyone to do music!