Learning the piano is about more than just playing notes — it’s about finding confidence, joy, and a voice of your own. For over 25 years, I’ve been helping students of all ages discover that music can be both challenging and deeply rewarding.
Every student learns differently. Some thrive on competition, some are casual learners who simply want to enjoy music, and others begin as children and continue all the way through high school. My goal is to meet each student where they are, encourage steady progress, and celebrate growth at every stage.
Along the way, many of my students have achieved remarkable success — earning top distinctions in Minnesota Music Teachers Association exams, receiving honors at Minneapolis Music Teacher Forum recitals, and winning awards at competitions throughout the Twin Cities. Some have gone on to major in music and receive scholarships of up to $100,000. But what matters most to me is that every student, no matter their goals, feels supported and proud of their progress.
I also enjoy working with adult learners who are returning to the piano or starting for the first time. Twice a year, we gather for relaxed afternoons of snacks, conversation, and optional performances — a reminder that music is a lifelong gift.
I hold a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where I studied with Anita Pontremoli, Olga Radosavljevic, Virginia Weckstrom, and Daniel Shapiro. Earlier in my journey, I studied with Carolyn Nordquist at Bethel University. Highlights of my training include performing Bach’s D minor concerto with orchestra on Minnesota Public Radio, presenting my doctoral dissertation on Berg’s Piano Sonata, Op. 1, and performing my all-time favorite work — Bach’s Goldberg Variations — on my final doctoral recital.
As an active member of the Minnesota Music Teachers Association and the Minneapolis Music Teachers Forum, I’ve served on committees, judged contests, and contributed to educational publications, including piano literature collections for Hal Leonard.
Through all of these experiences, my focus remains the same: to create a studio where students feel safe, encouraged, and inspired to reach their fullest potential at the piano.