Bio

Education

• Masters of Education, Lesley University, Curriculum & Instruction in the arts
• Bachelor of Arts, CSU, Sacramento, vocal performance & music education
• CA Elementary Teaching Credential and Credential in Music, grades K-12
• Training at the McClosky Institute of Voice, Cambridge, MA

Awards – personal

• Pleasant Ridge District Teacher of the Year, 1996
• May Martin Goyne award honoring women, Educator of the Arts, 1997
• RAVES Festival Founders Award, selected by participating directors, 1998
• BRHS’ Puttin’ on the Ritz named “best production in Nevada County” by the Nevada County Arts Council and Nevada County Superintendent of Schools, 2000
• BRHS Teachers Who Make a Difference award, 2002
• Listed 3 times in Who’s Who Among American Teachers
• Listed in Who’s Who Among American Women
• California Music Educator’s Association, Capitol Section, Choral Music Educator award, 2003

Awards – performing ensembles

• Traditional choirs consistently earn superior festival ratings
• Choirs have performed in Carnegie Hall (1999), St. Patrick’s Cathedral (1999), earned 4 gold medals in Festival at Sea (2001, 2007), top honors at the Abbotsford International Music Festival in Abbostford, B.C. (2003), 1^st place at the Honolulu Gateway Music Festival (2005)
• Jazz choir has earned numerous1^st place awards, including the Reno International Jazz Festival; has appeared at the prestigious Sacramento Jazz Jubilee
• Show choir (Starlite Express, pictured above) has earned top honors, including Sweepstakes, at numerous festivals and been featured performers at conventions, Disneyland, aboard the Norwegian & Carnival cruise lines

Teaching History

• 37 years experience in grades 1 – 12
• Consistently builds programs to include 15 – 22% of the student body
• Produces award-winning ensembles
• Successful private practice in voice & piano with individualized instruction
• Elementary Music Specialist for 14 years, teaching classroom music to students while mentoring teachers in the implementation of music and the arts into the core curriculum
• Served as a master teacher and mentor teacher; presenter at music in-services for several districts as well as California Music Educators Convention
• Currently serves as Music Director at Calvary Bible Church, Grass Valley CA
• Currently serves as an adjudicator for CMEA  & Music in the Parks Festivals

Community & Professional Service

• Member of South County Action Team who authored and passed a bond measure, resulting in a pool and theatre for Bear River High School
• Actively participated in the design of the new Bear River High School Community Theatre
• Served as department head of Visual and Performing Arts at Bear River High School
• Served on the Board of Directors for California Music Educators Association, Capitol Section, as representative for music educators in Placer and Nevada Counties.