it’s so nice to meet you!
I’m so glad you’re here! Let me tell you a bit more about myself….
I’m currently living in Fort Worth, TX, and loving it! I’m a Texas native having grown up in Forney, TX just east of Dallas. I was so lucky to have gone through a healthy band program with wonderful instructors. That’s where I got my start playing the flute and making music. I was so fortunate to have been in a program that nurtured the personal development of its students by offering private lessons with local professional musicians. I have taken private lessons since I started playing the flute, which has been invaluable to my education. I participated in all of the things - the Texas All-State band, the state solo and ensemble contest, marching band UIL, concert band UIL, and being a drum major in the band.
I enjoyed my time so much as a student that it lead me to want to pursue music and playing the flute as a career. I decided to attend the University of Texas at Arlington for a performance degree in music. There I studied with Dr. Terri Sánchez who was such a huge influence on me as a person, my playing, and my teaching. You’ll hear me quote her and use her methods if you hang around me long enough ;)! At UTA, I was part of the Wind Symphony, the Symphony Orchestra, the marching band, and the flute choir. I participated in the annual concerto competition and was able to perform with the Symphony Orchestra after receiving an Honorable Mention award. You can watch that performance here. I met my husband and some of my very best friends at UTA - I’m forever grateful for that experience! I graduated with my degree in the spring of 2018.
After earning my Undergraduate Degree, I auditioned for Graduate school and decided to attend Colorado State University. There I studied with Dr. Michelle Stanley who was so welcoming, supportive, and encouraging throughout my degree. At CSU, I was awarded one of the Teaching Assistant positions, which gave me so many wonderful opportunities to teach in various contexts. I assisted with the Music Appreciation classes by attending class, assisting students, and grading written assignments. I also had the opportunity to teach a few of the lectures which have as many as 250 students per class. I was able to teach a few lessons to some of the undergraduate flute students in the studio, coach chamber groups, and coach the flute choir. I was part of the Wind Symphony and the Symphony Orchestra and served as the principal flute in both of the ensembles. I participated in the annual concerto competition and was a finalist for that. You can watch that performance here. Probably one of the most fun performances I participated in at CSU was performing with the actors of the Animaniacs at the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins, Colorado! I graduated in the spring of 2020 into the pandemic and really had no idea what I was going to do!
Once I graduated, I felt the best move for me personally was to come back to DFW where the musical landscape is so diverse and full of opportunity. Luckily, I was presented an opportunity to start work with Carolyn Nussbaum of Carolyn Nussbaum Music Company. She is a flutist and entrepreneur who opened a flute shop in the mid 90s now located in Plano, TX. There, I help flutists find their perfect instrument, headjoint, and accessories. It is so fun getting to work with local students, teachers, and friends!
I am also currently teaching students locally in the Birdville School District as well as privately.
I hope you enjoyed getting to know more about me and I hope to get to know you as well! If you are interested in creating a relationship, contact me here!
