Bio

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was in high school where I saw how much of an impact my music teacher had on myself, as well as my fellow classmates; and how much I would like to do the same for other children. As someone who attended inner-city public schools, we didn't seem to have the most motivated or great music teachers growing up. In fact, I disliked music theory and performing music all my life before high school. However, it was my music teacher in high school who showed me how beautiful music making can be, and that teachers can help to build or destroy passions and/or careers.

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From learning how many beats fit into a 4/4 measure, to participating in ensembles such as the marching band or orchestra pit, I began my passion of music making in my 9th grade year. I then went on to take private lessons in my 12th grade year, so that I could apply to major in music at a collegiate level. At first I was unsure what I wanted to do with music. I was a bit interested in performance, but it didn't seem like what I truly wanted to do with my skills. Going back to my summer job as a head counselor at the Estelle S. Campbell Boys & Girls Club in Pittsburgh, I learned that I could relate to and manage children quite well. Games, activities, and keeping them safe/happy were largely the focus of what I did, and the kids seemed to enjoy my leadership. I was able to relate this all to music, and realized I wanted to influence and educate children with one of the Languages I know best. Music! 

I was accepted as a music education major at Edinboro University, and then transferred to Indiana University of Pennsylvania for my junior and senior years. Starting music a bit late in life has been somewhat of a hindrance to my ability and experience/knowledge in comparison to music students my age; but, I will not let that stop me from pursuing my dream all the same as they do. This motivation led me to sit in 2nd chair out of 14 flutists by my senior year.

After graduating during the pandemic in 2020, my motivation for teaching was now in doubt for a variety of reasons. Eventually, I was led to the predominantly black inner city school of Manchester on the Northside of Pittsburgh. Here I realized my passion for teaching still burns, and that I need to kindle it for the sake of making a good impact in many students' future education.