Who I am ....
I am orginally from Chattanooga Tennessee, having lived in Pensacola for nearly 20 years. I am a member of the Florida Music Teachers Association as well as the American String Teacher's Association having played the violin for twenty five years and taught privately for over fifteen.  My training as a violinist includes three years at the Cadek's Conservatory in Chattanooga, Tennessee; two years as a music ministry major at Liberty Bible College; and three years in elementary music education at Pensacola Christian College with ongoing private training from various violinists and teachers in the Southeast. My participation in performance has included the Chattanooga youth symphony, various local chamber ensembles, several church and college orchestras, as well as the symphony and Rejoice Orchestra at PCC. I have been an integral part of church worship for over twenty years.

"Just as there can be no music without learning; 
no education is complete without music."
-Unknown

My Vision as a String & Music Teacher.....
My calling is to develop true musicians rather than school age performers.  One of the greatest tragedies in current music education is that once a child has completed school,  all the years of music training and practice are left behind.  A true teacher has a vision for their students' futures.   My vision is that your child will come to love and acquire the skills necessary to be a true musician and instrumentalist for the rest of their lives.  Music training is not like ballet, sports, or art classes.  Music is a skill and gift given for a lifetime of purpose, and you as a parent are the enabler of this tremendous investment in your child’s life.   I highly encourage parental involvement in private music education and require that parents of students taking lessons attend at least three private lessons per school semester.  My other goals in teaching stringed instruments to encourage natural talent and interest, to train and develop skills for future musicians, and to   provide a means of character development and increased self-esteem.   I focus on the natural talents of the individual student and tailor a string program to his/her individual.

I  provide a comprehensive music education for students ranging in age from  4 years old to adulthood. All repertoire including hymns, classics and technical studies is presented  sequentially and is designed to encourage the student to be motivated to learn at their own pace rather than a set time.   I employ as part of my curriculum classical violin technique which includes:

ear training
sight reading
classical & etude studies
music theory
violin and music history
eclectic genres: bluegrass, folk, Irish & Celtic fiddling
ensemble performance
sacred & contemporary Christian music improvisation

My violin studio is the living room of my house and I find that motivation comes quite easily when you have a flock of talented youngsters.  I encourage ensemble and orchestra experience at an early stage in training.  This interaction with other students is an excellent motivator.  Public performance such as assisted living facilities provide excellent opportunities for students to display their talents. I conduct two performing ensembles, an elementary ensemble for younger players and a junior level ensemble for intermediate and advancing students. I also encourage and coordinate informal groups that perform together. All groups have periodic opportunity to perform for churches, hospitals, professional associations and civic events. My students play for church worship, weddings, social events, orchestras and ensembles, bluegrass performances and competitions, and for family and friends. I also have several viola and cello students who enjoy playing with a violin counterpart and like to participate in the ensembles as well.

Acceptance as a student is based on application, interview and audition process. My students include beginning, intermediate and advancing students, and adults who have previously played the violin needing further training.  I expect all my students to make a commitment to study and play the violin to the best of their abilities to the glory of God.