My Story

I have been extremely fortunate in my career as a teacher, performer, and music director. My desire to teach began in high school with numerous music teachers influence my desire to strengthen my musicality through their passion and drive. My teachers drove my passion, giving me opportunities to perform in choral, band, and orchestral settings to create beautiful and impactful music. I was given a scholarship in the name of Daniel Kristoff, a teacher who had a passion for music that was contagious and highly influential in many people's lives.
 

I was accepted to the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam where I studied Music Education with a concentration on voice, as well as Stage Direction with the department of Theatre and Dance. I was fortunate through my time in Potsdam to get opportunities to music direct through local theaters and high schools outside of the university including "Guys and Dolls" "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" "Footloose" and "The Drowsy Chaperone". I also had the opportunity to music direct a combined student and faculty production of "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" as well as create my own senior project that I music directed and directed entitled "Into the Millennium." I received an award for Artistic Excellence for my work on this project. Although my major focus was in voice, I took every opportunity I could to be behind the piano. I was an accompanist for various peers in the music education department of varying instruments. I also had the opportunity to accompany choirs I was part of, and was chosen to be the Children's Choir accompanist for Dr. Heather Eyerly. 
 

I got my first professional music directing position at Canterbury Summer Theatre, a small and enthusiastic theater in Michigan City, Indiana. It was a fulfilling position where I got to work with amazing talent from Louisiana and Texas primarily putting on 6 shows in 8 weeks. We had a fun, amazing time and I had the opportunity to also stage direct a production of “Beguiled Again: The Music of Rogers and Hart.” Once the first season of summer theatre concluded, I began working at Carnival Cruise Line as a keys player in the showband. I had the incredible experience of performing with singers and musicians from all over the world, playing in shows, themed sets, and for fly-on performers. Three years later, I got promoted to being a Musical Director which gave me the chance to lead my own band and be responsible for all music on my assigned ship. From that opportunity I met many shoreside supervisors, and was offered a position of Vocal Supervisor for Playlist Productions. In this role, I would teach, direct, and install shows on board all over the fleet of varying styles. Having the opportunity to teach these shows helped me remember how much I loved teaching music and collaborating with a team of creative professionals.
 

In 2018, I decided to move back to Long Island and began teaching private voice and piano lessons. At my peak of teaching, I worked with over 60 students of varying levels and ages. I also had the opportunity to freelance as a choral accompanist, theatre music director, and theatre stage director. The students and other professionals I worked with inspired me to go back to school and work towards my Masters Degree and Teaching Certification. I'm so grateful to be back into what I am passionate about and hope to continue to help contribute to many successful musicians. I’ve learned so much in my experience as a musician, and I’ve learned so much about connection, technique, and musicality.