I started playing the violin at age three through the University of Northern Iowa Suzuki School of Music- and I’ve been making music ever since. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Music Education from St. Olaf College and have a K-12 music teaching license. Since 2013, I’ve performed regularly with the Des Moines Symphony. I enjoy performing in the Des Moines Metro Area, teaching begining strings for the Des Moines Symphony Academy, providing private violin, viola, and cello lessons and being a mom to our three kids! When I’m not making music, I enjoy gardening, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.

I’m a proud mom of five and our home is made even livelier with two dogs and two cats. I’ve lived in Ankeny for the past four yeas where I enjoy gardening and exploring new walking trails around the area. Music has been a lifelong passion - I’ve played the violin for over 30 years, starting 5th grade and continuing through college, including serving as concertmaster in a community orchestra. With more than 15 years of experience teaching violin, I’m deeply committed to. making string education accessible for all students and believe strongly in the value of orchestra programs for every child.

I began playing the violin at the age of four. I grew up primarily in the Las Vegas area, where I continued to study the violin through the Nevada School of the Arts until the age of 17, under the guidance of Mary Straub. I enjoyed participating in the Youth Orchestra, the Boulder City Hometown Fiddlers, competing in Solo and Orchestral Competitions, and participating in the city’s honor orchestra and all-state orchestras. I loved having the opportunity to travel with the school orchestra as a youth. I had the chance to perform in the Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C., Disneyland, Minneapolis, the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, and Carnegie Hall in New York City. I attended the Las Vegas Academy for the Performing Arts, a performing arts high school, for two years. Music was a massive part of my childhood. My husband and I love living in Iowa and raising our five sons in Ankeny. I I want to advocate for my children, who now play string instruments, to have the same opportunities and joys that I did growing up.