After graduating from high school in Arlington, Virginia, living in Moscow was the golden opportunity that totally immersed me in the art and language of music. It was the place to be in the 1970s for a young pianist studying the piano.

After returning to the states, I earned my bachelor of music in piano performance in 1980 from North Dakota State University. I also earned my master’s of music in piano performance from the University of Minnesota in 1986. I’ve taught piano, flute, guitar, and ukulele since 1980 in conservatories, music stores, and in my own studios in North Dakota, Illinois, and Virginia.