I am grateful to my parents and to farm life for giving me a strong foundation in childhood play, a tenacious work ethic, and a deep appreciation for nature.

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Some of my fondest musical childhood memories are of riding my bike to the Bothwell Church on Wednesdays during the summer, where I played ukulele and sang in Carl Ashby’s Music Group. I would ride my bicycle all around Bothwell, pedaling to the beat and singing my heart out to the fun songs Carl taught me to love. I also gained confidence singing in front of others by visiting elderly people in our community and singing to them in exchange for a sweet treat.

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My school years were filled with music as well. I loved singing time throughout elementary school, but one of my favorite experiences was playing ukulele for several weeks in May Darrington’s second-grade class. Jean Stokes taught us, and I loved her for it! I also enjoyed the dance reviews we performed for our parents and weaving the Maypole to music at the end of the school year.

 

I began piano lessons when I was eight with Verlynn Adams. I remember her teaching me to count, and I loved the creative songs in the lesson books she used. Later, I studied with Margaret Ann Udy and performed in my first piano recitals with her. Margaret Ann helped me develop my sight-reading skills.

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During middle school, I began studying piano with Ann Buys, who introduced me to music theory. This was exciting because it was something new, but I had no idea at the time how important that foundation would become. The theory Ann taught me proved invaluable when I later pursued my piano degree at Utah State University. Without it, I don't know if I could have completed my degree. Ann was a wonderful teacher whose enthusiasm carried me through my high school years. Through her recitals, judged events, and other performance opportunities, I continued to build both my confidence and my musical skills.

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Middle school also brought more opportunities to sing. Wayne Jenson kept me singing, and I loved learning to sing parts. I remember performing many of the songs we learned in choir with my best friend, Su Stokes.

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My love of singing and choir continued through high school, where I once again had the opportunity to sing with Carl Ashby. High school choir is one of my fondest memories. With Carl, we learned what a truly beautiful sound was, how to create it, and the joy that comes from doing so. I will forever be grateful for all he taught me, including voice lessons. Years later, he taught my boys voice lessons, too, and it was a real treat to be present as their accompanist and to continue to learn from him.

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In high school, I also had the privilege of taking voice lessons from Nedra Pace. I loved hearing Nedra sing—she could lift the roof and anyone’s spirits with her beautiful voice, and I hoped to sing like her someday. Unfortunately, I didn't practice as I should have, and she eventually discontinued my lessons. I regret that. I did, however, have the opportunity to work with Nedra through high school musicals and the summer musicals she and Dee produced in our community. This is where I developed my absolute love for musical theater. I also learned to play on the piano and sing the songs from these productions because my mother would buy me any music book I wanted!

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At Utah State University, under the direction of renowned professor Gary Amano, I earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy. I worked harder academically than I ever had before and learned the art of teaching, music theory, music history, and so much more. My years at USU gave me a wealth of knowledge and understanding about appreciating, performing, and teaching music.

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I had many experiences at Utah State that shaped my life, including my associations with Professor Amano, Ted McCallson, Chiyo Honma, Tom Foster, and Russell Dennis Hirst. I also accompanied the Women’s Choir under the direction of Bonnie Slade. That experience has proven invaluable throughout my musical life, strengthening my skills in singing, choral music, and accompanying.  Bonnie had a huge impact on my confidence and love of choral music and accompanying.

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Since 1990, I have taught private lessons, music classes, and theory and piano pedagogy classes in my private studio. I also taught private and group lessons at the Utah State University Youth Conservatory, where I served on the Board of Directors and received both the Teaching Assistant of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards.

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From 1998–2002, I completed every level of early childhood music training with Musikgarten. I was then invited to become one of Musikgarten’s exclusive Teacher Trainers and spent about seven years traveling across the nation teaching workshops to other music educators.  Musikgarten influenced the way I taught, the way I parented, and increased joy in my life exceptionally.  To this day, what I learned as a teacher and Teacher Trainer from Jill Hannagan, Leilani Miranda, Karen Haughey, Karen McIver, Joyce Jordan, Martha Hallquist, Mary Louise Wilson and other Musikgarten Trainers, as well as association and training from Audrey Sillick and from Lorna Heyge (writers of Musikgarten), has proven to be the most valuable education around music and children I ever received.  It was life-changing for me!  I am deeply grateful to these women who shaped my understanding of children and what educating them really meant.

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My professional involvement in music education has continued throughout the years. I am currently a Level II certified member of the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association (ECMMA) and a member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). Through these and other professional organizations, I have had many opportunities to serve and present workshops for the Utah Music Teachers Association (UMTA), Orff-Schulwerk, Musikgarten, ECMMA, and church music programs. I especially love teaching teachers.

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My personal hobbies include all things piano, teaching, developing curriculum, singing, playing ukulele and a little guitar, and reading. I love camping, waterskiing, and snowmobiling with my family, as well as baking and eating out. One of my favorite things is taking road trips with my husband or family across the United States—or traveling anywhere else! I love seeing new places and learning about them. Now that I have grandchildren, spending time with them is at the very top of my list. Everything is more fun when grandchildren are involved, and I love them with all my heart!  My favorite times are with family!

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Music fills my soul and sustains me in life. Playing the piano is something I not only love but find deeply therapeutic. This skill has given me priceless opportunities that I never would have had otherwise.

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I have also learned how important it is for me to continue to attend the symphony and other concerts. My favorite programs are those featuring a piano concerto or other piano performances, but I enjoy many kinds of instruments and genres of music.  I love a good banjo, bluegrass, folk music, the old country icons, and 80s Classic Rock!  Evenings spent completely absorbed in music, without interruption fill me and bring a kind of joy to my heart that is unlike anything else.  My only real musical regret is that I was never able to devote more time to developing my singing voice. I still hope to do that—in the next life, if not in this one!

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As I have worked through challenges and struggles in my life, music has been a main coping mechanism.  I use it to help me think more clearly, find inspiration, heal, and make sense of the world.  I can't imagine life without it!

 

I am living proof that music saves lives, because it has saved mine.