I am in my sixth year teaching general music: composing, singing, reading, improvisation, guided listening and more. I currently teach at Ralya Elementary School in Haslett, MI where I serve over 450 students from Kindergarten to 5th grade. Previously I taught at Frances Willard Elementary in Kansas City, a school of 500 students grades Kinder through 5th.

I would say that I am most greatly influenced by the Orff Schulwerk approach. I taken my Orff Levels and am formally certified in Orff Schuluwerk. That said, I really love the work of John Feierabend and how he blends the techniques of several other scholars. I'm also so fascinated by Kodaly technique and would love to take a level or two of that... Check back with me in 10 years and we'll see what's happened. :D

Nominated for Kansas Horizon Award for first year teachers (sponsored by Kansas State Department of Education), nominated for district STAR teacher, students have been asked on multiple occasions to sing for the KCK school board and for special events held by the KCK Superintendent. Presented at Missouri Music Educators, Kansas Music Educators, and Michigan Music Educators State Conferences as well as local workshops.

BA: Greenville College (IL) Vocal Music and Worship Arts. MA: University of Missouri - Kansas City Choral Conducting and Music Education. Three years of special training on Strategic Thinking and the ARTS (STArts) through the University of Kansas. ESL/ELL endorsement. Orff Level I, II, and III.

I have worked for over 11 years with an organization called Royal Family KIDS through their Royal Family Kids Camp (RFKC) program. RFKC is a camp for kids ages 6-12 who have been abused or neglected. This has given me substantial experience with kids who have disabilities, behavioral disorders, emotional disorders, ADHD/ADD, and/or are somewhere on the Autism spectrum. It also means that I know how to play and have fun (which might be even more important)!