Private Instruction
Group Lessons
Chamber Music
Musical Theater
Adult Studies
MM DePaul University
BM DePaul University
Significant teachers and mentors:
Nicole Cabell, Howard Watkins, Susan Charles, Nicholas Hutchinson, Marc Embree, and Jane Bunnell
Awarded first prizes in the Classical Singer competition Emerging Professional Division, Musician's Club of Women, the Sherrill Milnes Opera Idol Competition
Regional Finalist in the Metropolitan National Council Auditions
Won second prize at the Harold Haugh Light Opera Competition
My vocal/teaching technique draws mostly from the Bel Canto style emphasizing breath control/support, legato, and full body engagement. I tailor my approach to each individual according to their specific needs, interests and style of learning which most resonates with them. I believe that each genre of vocal music can be sung healthily with an understanding of pedagogy and technique. I also believe that a textural, harmonic, stylistic, and historical understanding of each individual piece aids in the development of the singer-musician and their performance. Another large piece of the puzzle as a vocalist is acting, which is another focus of mine in the development of my students as performers. As a performer myself, my repertoire includes a wide array of musical genres but my main areas of expertise are classical/opera and musical theatre.
DePaul University, Savannah Voice Festival, Musician's Club of Women Recital Series, SongFest (Los Angeles), Chicago Fringe Opera, DuPage Opera Theatre, Northwest Chicago Symphony, Metropolis Chamber Orchestra
Interests outside of music:
I love to be adventurous in the kitchen! I love to travel and experience other cultures' way of life. I am also a certified yoga instructor.
Favorite quote:
"Luck? I don't know anything about luck. I've never banked on it and I'm afraid of people who do. Luck to me is something else: hard work and realizing what is opportunity and what isn't." --Lucille Ball
Favorite practice tip:
After learning a piece and discovering where the difficulties might lie, I find my favorite phrase that clicks with my body and my technique -- there's almost always at least one. After warming up, I like to start my practice session with that phrase, even if it's buried in the middle, to get myself going on the right foot. Then work phrase by phrase to match up the good feelings with your favorite phrase.
Favorite composer or piece to play:
One of my favorite composers to sing is Benjamin Britten.
Favorite musical moment:
One of my favorite musical moments was all the way back in high school before I officially began studying voice. I started off my musical studies as a pianist and violinist. I auditioned for the school musical which was Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim and, along with being cast in the chorus, I had the pleasure of being cast as Milky White the Cow-the front end. My other half and I never received specific staging directions but we took it upon ourselves to choreograph our time on stage. We received a standing ovation when we revealed our sweaty selves from beneath our costume during curtain call. What a blast!