My teaching career spans 40 years in five different states: Nebraska, Washington, Oregon, Kansas and Arizona. I started my piano teaching while a high school student in Omaha to complete an apprenticeship with my piano teacher. I went on to receive a Bachelor's degree from Seattle Pacific University and completed my Master's degree from the Uiversity of Arizona in December 2011, with emphasis in Music Theory for both degrees. While earning my advanced degree, I was accompanist for the University of Arizona Symphonic Choir, University of Arizona Community Chorus, the University of Arizona High Shcool Honor Choir and various college students for voice lessons. I also taught "Fundamentals of Music" and "Understanding Music through Listening" classes at the University.
Currently, my piano studio consists of 25 students (1st grade through adult), and I also accompany several of the middle/high school choirs in Sahuarita School District. I am currently a member and serve on the board of the Tucson Music Teachers Association (TMTA) as well as the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). I continue to be an active member of my church, playing the piano (and occasionally the organ) in multiple services each week.
Prior to our move to Arizona 17 years ago, I taught a full piano studio in my home and was also an adjunct professor at MidAmerica Nazarene University (Olathe, KS) for 14 years. My duties included being the staff accompanist for choirs and many vocal/instrumental students, served "as needed" to teach piano (class and private) and teach "Fundamentals of Theory" class. I have been involved in Music Teacher Associations wherever we have lived and have been an adjudicator for various piano festivals in the Kansas City area through those organizations. I also was the accompanist for 15 years for the choirs at Pioneer Trail Jr. High (now middle school) and accompanied many junior and senior high school vocal and instrumental students for solo contests in Kansas.
On a personal note, I have been married for 44 years to a supportive husband and we have three married children, two grandsons, four granddaughters, four grand-dogs and two grand-cats. They are all the love of my life (even though they all live far away) and have all been involved in music in some aspect. I have raised a family committed to music, along with their many other activities (read; Sports, church, theater, etc.), and I have taught students from elementary school through senior adults, giving me a unique perspective as a parent AND teacher. This experience helps me to motivate students to succeed in their music studies.