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I was accepted into the Violin Performance program as a freshman at Brigham Young University and participated in the top ensembles there. After completing my undergraduate degree in Music, I attended the University of Northern Colorado, where I graduated with a master's degree in Music Education (Instrumental Emphasis) in 2008, complete with a CO teaching certificate. During my studies at the university, I was a Graduate Teaching Assistant, an orchestra set-up crew member, and a violin section leader. I finished portions of my student teaching in Colorado Springs and completed my requirements in Highland, UT.
I have taught Beginning Orchestra Classes publicly in seven different school districts in Utah and Colorado for over twenty years. I also began teaching private violin lessons at age 17. I appreciate the value of continuing education, and I find myself borrowing heavily from the twenty years of training and private instruction I received, from teachers of many backgrounds, when I work with my students. Starting in Fall 2024, I am taking a hiatus from teaching my private studio. This has been a complex decision, but I look forward to possibilities ahead!
It was amazing to be selected as one of ten musicians from the United States to perform in an all-expenses-paid (minus airfare) collegiate group based in Berlin in 2001. We got to tour Saarbrucken, Amsterdam, Salzburg and other notable cities in that part of Europe. I participated in music for the Closing Ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. I have recorded over twenty CD's, two movie soundtracks, Christmas concerts, and countless weekly broadcasts for the Orchestra at Temple Square, a companion ensemble to The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. I auditioned at the time of the orchestra's formation in 1999 and still continue as a regular member. It has been a marvelous blessing to spread awareness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in such a unique way! See thetabernaclechoir.org. Check out my resume on the info page for professional ensembles I have recently joined.
These teacher training workshops, offered through the Suzuki Association of the Americas organization, with celebrated guest teachers, go through the Suzuki Violin Books sequentially; they provide excellent training and ideas for teaching young beginners especially (approximately ages 3-10). I have successfully completed eight courses, up through Level 7.
I was lucky enough to get to work in three different shops: Charles Liu Fine Violins, as a Public Relations Specialist; Day Violins, as a Marketing Director and website creator, and Riverton Music in Sandy as a full-time associate and Strings Specialist. In addition to other responsibilities, I sold instruments at all three locations. From the training received in these responsibilities, I didn't just help store customers; I have been able to pass on knowledge to student families about good instrument and accessory brands, geting the right supplies, what to look for in an instrument, and proper violin maintenance. Much of this information is also available on my blog!
I have been hired to step in as a guest concertmaster, soloist, or participant in various groups. Playing for weddings, in church or at retirement centers is always memorable. I also thoroughly enjoyed my job as a violinist at Busch Gardens for their "Holiday in Roma" show. We performed over 320 shows that summer, but I never got tired of the music! I have done some album recording, but mostly I prepare solo recitals when I get the itch to perform. Click on Spotlights to see videos. Added Bonus: Click here to see my premiere of Andrew Swan's Violin Concerto No. 3 with the Tooele County Symphony Orchestra in 2024. Paired with his second violin concerto, we see a tale of degredation and subsequent redemption. Our 2023 performance of the first half of the story is also available.
I have branched out even more in my musical pursuits in the last ten years. I prepared a few solo recitals. (After all, it always helps to have something to practice for!) I briefly stepped into the popular music scene when I joined new friends for a Celine Dion tribute band. In 2018, I was featured in a commercial for Deseret Industries! In 2019, my husband and I moved our family to Tooele, UT, where I served for a time as Associate Director of the Tooele Valley Youth Symphony. I have been invited to perform at various events in town, including Ren Faire, Women in Business, and the Tooele Arts Festival. I also got to record violin tracks for a new ballet! Click Spotlights to see highlights videos. I am excited to launch into some new projects. You can check out my YouTube channel, look at my art and brand new trio pages, or subscribe to my violin blog!