I was born and raised in Rochester, New York and left home after graduating from Greece Olympia High School to study at Baldwin-Wallace College and their conservatory of Music. I graduated from B-W in 1974 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree (B.M.E.) and was immediately hired as Instrumental Music Director at Nazareth Academy in Parma Heights. While at Nazareth I taught General Music to all 9th graders, and directed the Orchestras; restructured the winds into a Wind Ensemble and organized a Stage/Jazz Band. The Orchestras under my direction won Superior ratings at State Orchestra Competition and all instrumental students participated in a Canadian/American Musical Exchange Program of my design. I left Nazareth after 3 years and was hired by the Cleveland Board of Education to teach Vocal and General Music at Nathan Hale Junior High. Those were four very challenging years! In 1981 I was hired as the Vocal Music Director for grades 6-12 in the Aurora City Schools. I taught General Music, directed all Vocal performing groups, taught Voice, worked on Musical theater productions, once again organized Canadian/American Exchange Programs and added the 5th grade vocalists to my teaching load in my final year in Aurora. For 12 years I taught in the schools, always finding myself in the position of breathing new life into failing programs, and fund raising to put music on the stands. It was exhausting work, but I loved it. During those twelve years in the classroom I also pursued Graduate work in Music Education and Music Performance. I did my Graduate studies at C.S.U.
In 1986 I walked away from my teaching career to devote myself to being a full-time homemaker/wife/mother. I continued to compose and perform, but on a very limited basis. My home and family came first. Over the years I became involved in my daughters’ schools, PTA, Parent Advisory Board, small musical projects, etc.
In March of 1996 I attended my first all-day Kindermusik workshop. It was titled The Foundation of Kindermusik and I learned the basics that day. I was able to see a Kindermusik class in action. I also remember coming home and telling my husband – “I think I can do this.”
In July of 1996 I traveled to Washington, PA for four days of intensive all-day Kindermusik Teacher Training sessions. I came home and spent months planning before I actually began Kindermusik with Susan Joseph. In August of 1998 I attended a day-long Kindermusik Enrichment Seminar. I continue to be fully licensed and certified by Kindermusik International to teach those Kindermusik curricula I offer. The curricula I first learned and taught in the 90s is all but gone now! I love the new curricula, and the learning and studying keeps me fresh. KI also aids us now by including videos and CDs with our Teacher’s Kits. Ah – technology.
I’am a member of K.E.N.O. and K.E.A. (Kindermusik Educators of Northeast Ohio and Kindermusik Educators Association) and through these organizations meet colleagues from this area and all over the world. K.E.N.O. often sponsors workshops and meeting with Kindermusik International personnel.
Jeff and I are the proud parents of two daughters – Alissa and Abbey. Alissa has graduated from University of Akron with her degree in child and Family Development with an emphasis in Early Childhood Development. Abbey is now getting ready to start High School.
I love the freedom that teaching Kindermusik allows me. I am once again teaching music to children, yet I’m still “there” for my own family. I’m enjoying the best of both worlds!
(June 2005)
