Hi, and WELCOME! I’m so glad you stumbled upon this page and hope that you find something useful for your music classroom. I live in south-central PA and have been a PA resident all my life. Originally from Williamsport, I was fortunate to have a very strong public school system that valued music education. It’s how I fell in love with music and ultimately found my path in life.
I have taught kindergarten through sixth grade general music, elementary choruses, elementary and middle school strings, was the Artistic Director and Prelude Choir Director for the Children’s Choir of Lancaster from 2005-2012, and have experience as a curriculum coordinator within a public school district. Currently, I teach kindergarten through sixth grade general music, chorus, and strings in Hempfield School District, and am adjunct faculty at Elizabethtown College teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in music education focusing on general music methods and curriculum, assessment, and measurement. I have the privilege of being the Elementary Representative on the PMEA District 7 board, a Music First Ambassador, and a member of the Board of Directors for the American Center for Elemental Music and Movement.
I have earned two degrees from Millersville University of Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and a Master of Education in Leadership for Teaching and Learning. Additionally, I have completed all Kodály Levels and Orff-Schulwerk Levels, as well as World Music Drumming level one.
I am a clinician and workshop presenter who loves to share and collaborate with my colleagues. I have presented workshops at the local, regional and national levels with sessions covering topics including classroom management, choral reading sessions, technology in the music classroom, movement and music curricular connections, Kodaly Pedagogy in the modern elementary music class, curriculum development and lesson planning, and Orff-Schulwerk inspired elements in K-6 music classes.
A classroom filled with joy is at the heart of what I do everyday with students who are actively making music and exploring their own new musical ideas. Blending the best aspects of different philosophies of music education to give students an environment where they can both learn and express themselves is the way I approach teaching students. It’s my goal to have the young musicians that I work with be themselves, build their musicianship, and feel cared for within the walls of my classrooms.