A love of music began in the third grade. I started on a silver metal clarinet and have not stopped playing. I am a musician, composer, arranger and performer. I hold a B.A. in music and have taught in the schools for 22 years. I bring extensive knowledge and humor to my teaching. I enjoy working with all age levels and pride myself on being intensely positive.

As I child I had an early interest in music, dancing and creative things. I took piano lessons and excelled at my chosen instrument, the flute, in band at school. I continued with my music training at Northwestern College in Roseville, Minnesota and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Music Education in 1992. I worked for 11 years in my profession in various settings before I took a break to start my family. My experience includes teaching students in classroom general music, choir, band, piano lessons, and school plays/musicals. I spent six years at a private school (grades K-8), three years at a charter elementary school and 2 years at a public elementary school. Also, since graduating in 1992 I have spent a total of 16 years teaching private lessons both at Hovland Conservatory of Music and in my home. Along the way I further broadened my background by accompanying church choirs and congregations, playing for weddings, and volunteering to lead children’s music...

I am a graduate of Bethel University in St. Paul, MN with a Bachelor's of Music in Voice Performance, minor in Sacred Music and supplemental studies in Theatre Arts.

I am passionate about music and the arts and continue to stay active in learning and performing. I began to teach music at a young age and never stopped. I have experience coaching voice, flute, piano, & theatre students of all ages. It is my joy to help others discover the gifts they have.

I have been teaching lessons and performing for over ten years in a wide variety of styles and settings. I have a master's degree in Jazz Studies from Purchase College and a bachelors degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in Jazz and African American Studies. After college I worked on Carnival Cruise Lines for three years, which gave me a ton of experience in all sorts of musical genres. Afterwards, I lived in Brooklyn, playing around town and teaching in Brooklyn and Long Island. After a summer living on Cape Cod while performing with the great wedding/corporate band, "The Sultans of Swing," I moved with my wife to the beautiful city of Minneapolis.

I bring years of experience teaching and performing into my lessons. I believe every student is a unique individual and must be taught that way, with patience, understanding, and open-mindedness.

I’ve learned much from my students in the more than 35 years that I’ve been teaching flute. My Bachelors in flute performance and music education and my Master’s in flute performance have given me the expertise I need to teach, but my students have provided the practical experiences necessary for me to be successful. Every student has something in particular that motivates them to learn an instrument and it is up to the teacher to build on that motivation. I use a variety of materials individually suited to each person, young or old, amateur or professional. I have performance experiences as a soloist, in a small symphony orchestra and in various small ensembles. My students have found careers as teachers, music therapists, and performers. Many of the students who haven’t chosen music as a vocation have continued to play their flutes even after their lessons have finished and have then encouraged their children to learn an instrument.
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I've been a professional musician and teacher for over 25 years. I have a degree from the University of Minnesota and I studied music at the University of St. Thomas when I was in high school. I've performed and recorded with numerous artist including The Temptations, Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits), Bobby Z, Billy McLaughin, Presidential Inauguration 2005, The Shirelles, Martha Reeves, Larry King, The Guess Who, Quiet Riot, Loverboy, J. Hoye and many more. I received the Certificate of Achievement from Billboard Magazine for production and songwriting, etc.,etc. enough about me though.

Almost twenty years of teaching experience centered in performance, composition, and theory in the styles of classical, jazz, rock, soul and funk. Over thirty years of education , recording and performance experience. Attended the University of Mn. And Berklee College of Music. I liken musical instruments to people with incredible depth and unlimited potential, waiting to be tapped!