I was raised in Jacksonville, Illinois, and my musical training began at a young age with piano lessons. I began harp study during high school (at the age of 15) with Alice Spero Keene at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. My subsequent teachers have included Beatriz Martin-Ruiz, Suzann Davids, and Erin Ponto.
I have performed with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra as a featured soloist, and with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Bradley University Chorale (including on a European tour), Valparaiso Symphony Orchestra, Opera Illinois, Valparaiso University Chorale, and the Bradley University New Music Ensemble. I am a member of the American Harp Society, the World Harp Congress, and the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
After attending Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, I transferred to Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. I graduated from Valparaiso magna cum laude in 2001 with a BA in Music and in 2005 with MA in Liberal Studies (History Concentration). I also attended Valparaiso's law school, where I met and married Jeff.
In October of 2009, I was invited to present a solo recital in the Jacksonville Public Library in Jacksonville, Illinois. In 2010, Jeff and I attended the American Harp Society National Conference in Tacoma, Washington.
I am an active freelance performer & wedding harpist, providing harp music for numerous wedding ceremonies, receptions, corporate functions, funerals, and other events throughout the Midwest and beyond.
My teaching studio includes harp & piano students of all ages and levels, and I am the director of the South Bend Harp Ensemble. I am currently serving as the President of the South Bend chapter of the MTNA.
Just for fun...
If I'm not playing harp, I'm reading. Most likely, I'm the only person who has read Aristotle's "Metaphysics" while getting a pedicure. My lifetime reading list is over 1000 books long!
I'm obsessively early. I get that from my mom, and it drove me crazy when I was younger. Now, I get nervous if I'm going to arrive at a wedding only one hour before I start playing!
I am unreasonably afraid of mascots.
In all of the years I've played for weddings, I've only seen one fainting!
Jeff and I both love to travel. We've been to Hong Kong, Macau, Paris, Rome, Ireland, England, the Black Hills, Seattle, Las Vegas & New York City together. I could easily live in Paris ~ there is music everywhere!
I hate soggy cereal and melty ice cream.
I am an obsessive list maker. I have so many lists, I had to make a list of them.
My favorite animal is the penguin. My trip of a lifetime would be to Antarctica!
I love that I get a front-row seat to so many weddings each year. Each one is beautiful, unique, and filled with emotion. I'm always so honored to be a part of it. It's a dream job!
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