Artist Statement

My philosophy on teaching, and on music in general, is that all styles of music are legitimate. If a student wants to learn a fiddle tune or how to improvise over a jazz tune, I see that as just as important and worthy of study as the student who wants to learn a classical concerto. I grew up in a Suzuki classical environment, and when I was exposed to other styles of music, I was eager to take the skills and techniques I learned through classical music and apply them to these other styles. Most of my performing opportunities have been a result of my diverse musical background, and I encourage students to explore any world of music that interests them. 

Teaching Bio

I have had private students in my home studio for the last several years, and I'm also teaching violin and viola students in Colchester with the VYOA. I studied the Suzuki Method at the School for Strings in NYC, and appreciate how the Suzuki method breaks things down into small pieces and turns the overwhelming assignment of playing an instrument into a manageable series of skills and techniques to learn. I don't teach the Suzuki pieces to all my students, but I do find it helpful to use that technique of zeroing in on the tiny moves required to play the instrument. Once we get the mechanics and small pieces figured out, it's much easier to assemble all of those pieces into a compelling piece of music.

Performance Bio

I spent 15 years in NYC, mostly playing in the Broadway world. I played on a variety of shows including Hamilton, Wicked, Dear Evan Hansen, Frozen, among many others. I mostly played violin but also played electric violin, viola, guitar, and mandolin. I was often subbing on many shows at once, and keeping all of that material ready to perform taught me how to be efficient and strategic in my practicing. Because of my diverse background, I was often tasked with playing tunes in other styles, and there were many instances where I had to run onstage from the pit and play a hoedown or improvise something based on what was happening in the play. Since moving to Vermont, I've been performing with the VSO, Skylark (a string quartet focusing on Folk and Nordic music), the VSO's Jukebox Quartet, and a number of bands including Dwight and Nicole, Madaila, The Grift, and the Neon Ramblers.