I'm a lifelong pianist and member of the Music Teachers' Association of California, where I've been a competition judge, Certificate of Merit evaluator, and serve on the Board of Directors for my local branch in Irvine. Prior to focusing on teaching, I performed internationally with Video Games Live, a concert series that performs famous themes from video games! It was a fantastic way to apply my classical piano training, and for that opportunity I'm grateful.

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I attended UCI and have a Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, minor in Biology, and certificate in Ethnomusicology, graduating Phi Beta Kappa cum laude and as a Leo Freedman Scholar, one of the top graduate scholarships. It was here that I gained experience accompanying the UCI Chamber Singers and University Choirs, which eventually led me to a position at OCSA as a Conservatory Teacher, leading musicianship classes for singers, as well as teaching piano at Citrus College.  

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My former teachers have shaped me to where I am today: Lorna Griffitt, Myong Joo-Lee, Ory Shihor, Valentina Gottlieb, Scott McBride Smith, and Marilyn Shields.  I am grateful for their expertise, encouragement, and for helping me define what it means to play from the heart. They helped me capture First Prize at the Southern California Junior Bach Complete Works Audition, earning the Yvonne Gordon Gold Medal, the SYMF Open Chopin (my favorite composer), the CAPMT Bartók State Finals, and being a finalist in the UCI Concerto Competition, among others.

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But music goes beyond the awards, and I cherish the mindset for success, however one defines it. I support each of my students on their musical journey. Some are competition winners, some were invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. Many opt to do Certificate of Merit and challenge themselves on seeing how far they can go in a year. Some are so happy to play piano for their school talent show! One student whom I taught briefly ended up winning America's Got Talent in 2019. But no matter what, I hope I can spark curiosity for learning, improvement, and creativity. 

 

I recently had an article published in the California Music Teacher's Journal, relating music and running. (Yes, running! It breaks the habit of sitting.) It's my favorite hobby, and I've been an Ambassador for the Global Energy Race, a 5K/10K race held worldwide every fall, and am a current RADrabbit athlete for rabbit apparel.

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