education and experience
I have been teaching piano lessons since 1994, and cello lessons since 1996. I received my Bachelor of Music degree in 2001 and my Master of Music degree in 2003, both with emphases in Piano Performance from the University of Utah. In 2006 I earned my national certification in teaching both piano and cello from the Music Teachers' National Association. For two years during my time at the University, I served on the University staff, teaching group piano classes to undergraduate music students, as well as teaching in the University of Utah Preparatory School of Music. Between 1995 and 2003 I studied piano with Steinway Artist Dr. Susan Duehlmeier, and I studied cello with Stephen Emerson, Assistant Principal cellist of the Utah Symphony.
My most memorable performance experience was the 1998 International Piano Workshop, in which I performed in Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna, and Budapest. I have performed in Masterclasses with Leon Fleisher, Lang Lang, Eric Himy, and Martin Jones. I also presented three different 60-minute solo piano recitals for my music degrees. Some of my piano concerto performances include Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with the Salt Lake Symphony, Brahms's D Minor Concerto with the University of Utah SummerArts Orchestra, Liszt's A Major Concerto with the Murray Symphony, and Rachmaninoff's C Minor Concerto with the Murray Symphony. I have also performed Haydn's C Major Cello Concerto and studied Dvorak's B Minor Cello concerto. I have had many wonderful opportunities performing as a cellist in several orchestras, including the Millenial Choir and Orchestra in Orange County, California, San Diego Interfaith Choir and Orchestra, Salt Lake Symphony, University of Utah Philharmonia, University of Utah Symphony Orchestra (as Assistant Principal Cellist), Utah All-State Orchestra, and Utah Youth Symphony.
During my studies at the University of Utah, I received Departmental and Tracy Scholarships from the Piano Area. I was also on the National Dean's List and Golden Key National Honor Society. During two of my years at the University, I received the President's Award. For two years, I won the Mu Phi Epsilon National Music Fraternity Scholarship Award. I have also won and placed in other competitions in Utah, including the University of Utah Piano Area Concerto Competition (First Place), the University of Utah SummerArts Concerto Competition (2nd Place), the Utah Music Teachers' Association Concerto Competition (2nd Place & Honorable Mention), the Utah State Fair Music Competition (Honorable Mention), and the DeBose National Piano Competition in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (First Place). I won three medals (two gold and one silver) at the Spokane Greater Allied Arts Festival in Washington State. I have performed all nine of Rachmaninoff's Etudes-Tableaux, Opus 39, in a solo recital and as a finalist in the Temple Square Concert Series as part of Salt Lake's 2002 Olympic Celebration. I have also participated in many music presentations for young children, in connection with the Gina Bachauer Foundation, and performed in the Mu Phi Epsilon Award Recital.
I am a nationally Certified Teacher of Music and a member of the Music Teachers' National Assosiation (MTNA) and the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT). I was a member of the Utah Music Teachers' Association for about six years, and I became a member of Mu Phi Epsilon National Music Fraternity in 1999. I have served on and off since 1997 as a church organist, pianist, and choir accompanist.
My husband Jared and I have been married since 2003 and we have seven children (five girls and two boys). I spend most of my time with my family, but I also love to play music and read a variety of books.