I love the word "encourage." At its root, the word means to "make strong, hearten," to "see heart."​

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I have been teaching voice since 2012 and have done my best to follow the music as it invites me into new and evolving spaces. This has lead me abroad to teach music in the highlands of Guatemala, begin and grow a beautiful non-auditioned middle school boys choir, open a brick and mortar community voice studio dedicated to the art and craft of the human voice in the heart of Charlottesville, VA, and lean into my commercial property management skills to pivot the space into a thriving community health and wellness center.

 

Most recently, after what I can only describe as a "Dorothy in the tornado" moment, I found myself working at the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota. I have so deeply appreciated finding myself within an organizational management structure that has moved towards the circle, prioritizing collaboration and demonstrating the sheer administrative power it takes to accomplish great things together. 

 

Like anyone I am guiding through voice, letting my voice and song lead is an ongoing personal devotion and adventure in faith and joy.

 

Sometimes it's really challenging and then we remember how simple it is.... the past year taught me that the power of song - of having a place to sing - of being able to feel your own voice - to feel your own self amidst waves of change - is one of the most powerful, potent, important gifts we can give ourselves and each other.

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I studied vocal performance and choral conducting at the University of Virginia and until recently, I have called Charlottesville my non-childhood home. Amidst this rather prolific and full last decade, the impact of my friend and colleague's life's work, The Five Relations, a rearrangement and distillation of Alexander Technique and The Art of Breathing into five simple counterbalance relations in the body, has changed my view on voice teaching.

 

She and I created an online curriculum for singers and I found myself organically letting all the systems and structures I had created around the work dissolve and - quite literally - allow more space for breath. 

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I have a deep appreciation for the intersection of athletics and voice and both setting young people up for a healthy athletic/musical career and helping adults connect the dots between their whole lives and nurturing the sacred gift that is their voice.

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I usually stay plugged into some variation of church music ministry, and have also served as a music minister. 

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Voice teaching and coaching are like my secret chipotle menu (aka it's always there and I manage this old school, offline). If you're looking for a personal guide for you or your child, I'd love to be your person.

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I look forward to hearing your voice!