A Colorado native, I began studying piano at age 7 with Vinita Mathis a Julliard graduate and Metropolitan Opera singer.  At age 10, my parents purchased a "magical "7/8 1680 Italian Cremonese violin for me. Within 2 years I soloed on Mozart Concerto in G and Bach E Major Concerto with an orchestra conducted by my teacher, Virgil Rosenberger.  I played in the Denver Young Artists Orchestra for 6 years under Carl Topilow.

In college I studied music performance at Indiana University (now Jacob  School of Music).  At I.U. I joined other violin students from France, China, South America, Poland , Canada, Korea, etc.  Music suddenly became my entire life.  We practiced 4-10 hours a day, under a highly distinguished faculty, led by Joseph Gingold.  The curriculum covered rigorous Theory, History and Orchestra classes.

I did graduate work at Penn State University, being awarded a full time assistantship.   My major teachers include Henryk Kowalski, Professor Emeritus, Donald Hopkins, Alard Quartet, and Jesse Ceci, Concertmaster of CSO, and Harold Wippler, who aroused lifelong leadership and artistic esthetics at the international level.

At I.U. I was fortunate to study with Richard Ratner, renowned composer, pianist and teacher.  He was a long time assistant to the legendary Menahem Pressler, co-founder of the Beaux Arts Trio.  Under Richard's guidance I learned the lifelong responsibility of a professional musician to create an "ideal in sound."  The joy of technical mastery of different styles using innate physical gestures for rhythm and phrasing, made this a growth filled era that I will always cherish.  I was invited to become a piano performance major at the end of my sophomore year. 

Performance experience

My first professional orchestral job was in Japan.  Then I played in S. Jersey, Trenton and Harrisburg Symphonies.

I played with  Colorado Ballet for 5 years.  Freelance highlights  include playing backup for Ray Charles, Brian Wilson and Jose Feliciano.

Performed for Daisaku Ikeda, international diplomat, J. Gordon Holt memorial, and solo benefits for the Kidney Foundation, American Cancer Society and Uplift America.  Awarded "Best Orchestral Musician" in 2003 from Down Beat magazine

Teaching Experience

Faculty at State College Suzuki Program and the Children's Music Academy in Philadelphia. (Now the Community Music Academy) Graduate Assistant at PSU.

Clinician and coach for Denver Public Schools, Douglas and Jefferson Counties.