From first through fifth grade, I lived in a little town near Munich, Germany. That’s where my musical journey began. Well, sort of. I started piano lessons, but my teacher was always on the phone during our lessons (yes, really), so I didn’t get very far with the piano. Luckily, my best friend stepped in and taught me to play the recorder, and by fifth grade I was even part of a recorder ensemble.

Germany, it turns out, was full of clarinetists or maybe I just kept noticing them because I was convinced that I was going to be one someday. Clarinet was the plan.

Then we moved back to the U.S., to Florida this time where I joined the school band in sixth grade. They tested me and said I could play clarinet or flute. I was leaning toward clarinet, of course… until I went to a band night where professional musicians came to perform. A flute and harp duo walked on stage, and the moment they started playing, my jaw dropped. I was mesmerized. That night, I went home with a flute. Just like that.

For the first few months, I practiced in a hotel room while we waited for our furniture and things to arrive from Germany. I took lessons from someone who worked at a music store (my Rubank method books still have the dates scribbled in from those early lessons). I was good at flute, even though I didn’t always love practicing. Still, something about it stuck.

At the beginning of eighth grade, I found out there was a youth symphony in South Florida and they were holding auditions. I went for it, thinking I’d maybe get into the training group. But to my complete shock, I was accepted into the actual Youth Symphony. I was the youngest member, surrounded by high school and even college musicians.

The Youth Symphony became my whole world for the next five years. By tenth grade, I was usually first flute. Every Sunday, we’d drive an hour to rehearsal, rehearse for three hours, and then drive an hour back. That meant a lot of Wendy’s hamburgers and Frostys along the way.

One thing I wish I’d had during those early years was a stronger private teacher. In eighth grade, I switched teachers on the suggestion of the Youth Symphony conductor (who I adored), but the new teacher wasn’t all that memorable. The lessons felt more like going through the motions, and they weren’t even very consistent.

In high school, I joined the marching band. At first, the drum majors seemed ancient to me. I marched piccolo for two years, then switched things up and joined the color guard for a year. (Oh! I should mention, I danced from age 3 all the way through 18, so guard was a natural fit.) That led to winter guard too. By the end of my junior year, I decided to audition for drum major. I practiced my conducting in front of the mirror for hours, with help from a wonderful instructor, and—surprise—I made it! Now I was one of the "old" ones. Being drum major was hard work, but I loved it.

I auditioned for honor bands throughout high school, but I always seemed to land in second chair, never quite first. In my senior year, I barely made it into All-State, scraping in at the very last chair. Meanwhile, other players from the Youth Symphony were placing much higher, and I often wondered what I was doing wrong. That year, I switched to a new teacher, one several of the top players were studying with. His name was Parker Taylor, and he changed everything. Mr. Taylor was a phenomenal teacher. I still remember so many details from our lessons. He helped me select repertoire (I played the Prokofiev Sonata for my audition!) and prepared me for my Florida State University audition. Thanks to him, I walked in ready.

Years later, I had the honor of doing a tribute to Parker Taylor at the Florida Flute Association Convention. Walfrid Kujala, the longtime piccolo player of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, even joined me for it. It was one of those full-circle moments I’ll never forget.

Looking back, those early years, between my wobbly start in Germany, the youth symphony in Florida, marching band, and studying with Mr. Taylor, shaped not just who I am as a musician, but who I am as a teacher. I carry all of it with me. And now, as I teach my own students, I hope that one day, long after they’ve played their last high school note, they’ll remember something from our time together too.

I taught at Drake University and the University of Florida, and as instructor of flute for Faith Baptist College. I previously directed the Dowling Catholic High School flute ensemble and remain actively involved in supporting local music education. When I’m not teaching, I’m performing around the Des Moines area, staying active in the music scene and continually growing as a musician myself.

Over the years, I’ve also had the joy of working with students across the country as a guest clinician at universities including Texas Tech, North Texas, University of Iowa, University of Mississippi, Louisiana State University, Middle Tennessee State University, and my alma mater, Florida State University. I’ve also enjoyed performing at festivals and conventions throughout the U.S., experiences that continually inspire my teaching and playing.

I hold a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Florida State University and a Master of Music from Indiana University, where I also focused on Baroque performance practice (on Baroque flute). My training has been shaped by incredible mentors, including world-renowned flutists Trevor Wye whom I studied with in Kent, England as one of six students selected internationally, as well as Brad Garner at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

As a performer, I’ve been honored to receive several national awards, including first place at both the Myrna W. Brown Artist Competition and the Florida Flute Association Young Artist Competition. Following the Myrna Brown win, I was invited to perform as a guest artist at the Texas Flute Festival and as a soloist with the Dallas Chamber Orchestra.  Incredible experiences I’ll never forget!

Outside of music, I homeschool my three amazing kids—Daniel (18—recently graduated), Joshua (16), and Lydia (13)—and love sharing life with my husband, Glenn (you’ll have to ask him how old he is!). Both individually and together, Glenn and I have been speakers at Charlotte Mason conferences throughout the Midwest and beyond. We also organize the Charlotte Mason Family Camp, held each August in Tiskilwa, Illinois, a highlight of our year!

When I’m not teaching or performing, I love curling up with a good book (there are just a few in our house!), with a cup of coffee, spending time out in nature, and admiring owls.  My absolute favorite creatures!  (Yes, you’ll spot a few tucked around my studio!)