I grew up in a house filled with music, and I began my own musical journey with piano lessons in the first grade. By the time I graduated high school, I was also playing flute and oboe, and I had been in several choirs. I decided to pursue a degree in music education. I studied both oboe and euphonium as my main instruments, but I also learned to play all other brass and woodwind instruments.

After completing college with a degree in instrumental music education, I spent eight years in the classroom teaching both general music classes as well as band. As a band teacher, I often taught students to play their instruments by playing along beside them. My favorite part of teaching was building positive relationships with my students and guiding them through a challenging concept until it became easy for them. I was recognized by my colleagues as "teacher of the month" in April 2010 for mentoring students both in and out of the classroom.

In addition to my classroom responsibilities, I stay active in the community providing private music lessons, performing in orchestras for various community theater programs, and playing piano and singing at my church.