BIOGRAPHY

My mother started me with Accordion lessons at the age of 6 finding teachers at that time wouldn’t teach piano to children under the age of 8. So began piano lessons at 8 and continued the Accordion as well as playing Bass Clarinet and other woodwind instruments in school. Having joined the Musician’s Union at the age of 15, I traveled internationally as an instrumentalist and vocalist for 5 years. During these years I also played guitar, bass guitar, banjo and had a limited ability on drums and steel guitar. Leaving the “glitz” of the music entertainment world in favor of the possibility of family, I moved back to Oregon, completed a Pedagogy course, began teaching piano and guitar and started my career in the musical instrument industry. At one time I had over 75 students.   

Although I was trained Classically, I played all styles of music as a professional musician. As a private teacher I developed a style of communication that inspired and empowered my students to achieve their goals. 

Not having attended college, at the age of 23, I was invited to develop a section of the Music Therapy curriculum and teach that class at Willamette University. I also was invited to teach a special Accordion class with Palmer and Hughes at the University of Houston. 

I have enjoyed a very long and wonderful career, working with both Piano Retail and Piano Manufacturing, working with many US piano retailers, Guitar Center, and piano manufacturers such as Bosendorfer, Schimmel, Steinway, Yamaha, Mason Hamlin, Young Chang, and more. I’ve been invited to speak at many conventions including NAMM and many MTNA chapters. I have received multiple rewards and acknowledgments from the music industry, symphony’s and retailers, and was a member of the following: 

Trustee for: MTNA Advisory Council (Music Teacher’s National Association) NAMM National Insurance Program 

Member of Board of Directors: PMAI (Piano Manufacturers Association International) NPF (National Piano Foundation) and served as Vice President NPTA (National Piano Travelers Association) and held various Offices Several foundations that benefit music education.

Current member of OMTA/MTNA and NPTA  Through most of my past I managed to continue to teach a few select students because I love seeing my people live out their passion and experience the joy of playing the piano.