Hello and welcome to my site! I have been teaching music lessons to all ages since 1999. I have taught children as young as 4, and many adults up into their 80s! I am a self-taught pianist, with a strong background in the sight reading of sheet music. I took piano and guitar lessons occasionally over the years, to refine my technique. I always had a love of the arts and and took ballet classes up until I began my voice training. I was trained from the age of 9 to 17 by opera coaches. I spent the rest of my childhood performing as a classical singer, musical theater actor and choir accompanist. I also developed my musical abilities under the tutelage of a gifted family friend who encouraged improvisation and creativity. In middle school, I was chosen to accompany my school choir on piano so our director could conduct. During high school I successfully competed on the all-state level as both a performer and arranger. I performed as both a singer and pianist in community musical theater from the late 80's to 1996. I began to write my own music at age 17, when I learned to play the guitar. Over the years, I have devised a unique teaching method, which is both quick and effective. I have a warm and encouraging personality and help to build my students' confidence. Many of my students have become family friends. I am able to give my students a solid foundation in music reading and basic theory, while encouraging them to develop their individual strengths. I took hand drum and dance classes in college, and performed several times with various ensembles. A few years ago I learned to play the pennywhistle and have recently started to practice the drums again.