When I was five years old, my grandmother sat my sister and I down at the piano and taught us to sing in harmony. I still remember the wonder and joy of learning to make musical sounds all by myself! At age eight I began piano lessons, and a few years later my mother enrolled me in a group guitar class. I learned to play the cello at 19 and decided to study Music Education at San Diego State University in the city where I grew up.

I still play guitar in my classroom everyday. I also play cello, bass, and banjo as often as possible.   I consider music to be a rewarding lifelong activity and friend.

I like kayak on the Smith River, go camping and have three grown sons, two dogs and two cats and live in Bassett, Virginia.