When asked how I feel about teaching in a traditional classroom instead of teaching and playing music full time, I relate to a quote by the famous cellist Yo-yo Ma: "The answer to this professional musician thing is that my real passion, which includes music, is really about trying to understand people."
|
My growing-up years were spent in Huntsville, Alabama. During my childhood I played cello in a string quartet with my three siblings, performing at venues throughout North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley. I went to Pensacola Christian College for my Bachelor degree in Music. After graduating in 2004 I was offered an opportunity to start a strings music program at a private school in Winston-Salem, NC if I would teach Pre-K while the music program was developing. After one year of teaching in North Carolina, I had enrolled enough music students to teach music full time. The following summer I began graduate school and also became adjunct music faculty at Piedmont International University. I taught both at the private school and the university until 2008, when I relocated to enter graduate school full time at the University of Massachusetts. While studying in Amherst, MA, I taught Freshman Music Literature and private music lessons until the completion of my Masters of Music degree in 2010. Following graduation, I moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where I planned to get my D.M.A. (Doctorate of Musical Arts). However, I ended up getting my Mrs. instead when I married my best friend, Matthew. Perhaps one day I will return to the pursuit of my Doctorate. While living in Memphis I started a strings program and was the accompanist for choirs at a large private school. In addition, I had a business contracting musicians to perform for weddings and other special occasions, and also played professionally in various area symphonies. In 2014 my husband was given the opportunity to continue his education, and in August we moved to Okmulgee for him to study Watchmaking at OSUIT. I was given the opportunity to teach music at Stonebridge. This year I am excited to teach second grade, while still being involved with the music program. Students this age are a joy for me to work with, as they are still unabashed about their excitement of learning new things. |
These are a few of my favorite things
|
I love to travel
Currently I've been to 45 of the 50 states. (Maine, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming, and Alaska are left to go) I've been to eight foreign countries, of which Czech Republic has been my favorite. I love to eat Foods that are both yummy and healthy are my favorite, but I will almost never turn down a sweet treat. I love to cook and try new foods. Every weekend my husband and I try out a new locally owned restaurant in Tulsa. I love to run Running has been an off and on habit since middle school, but I began running seriously again when we moved to Oklahoma last year. I have a goal to run a half-marathon in all 50 states. I've run that distance in 6 states so far and have more planned for this year.This fall I am training to run my second full marathon, the Route 66 Marathon, in Tulsa at the end of November. I am running this race in memory of my father, who passed away November 2014. Please cheer me on if you see me running around town! |