How long have you been a teacher?
I started teaching theatre and dance professionally in 2007, but I started choreographing shows and performances in 2002. So roughly 20 years of teaching.
Tell us about your Performance Arts Education!
I graduated from Frostburg State University with a degree in Theatre with specializations in acting and directing. After college, I spent many years training with amazing teachers and professional artists all over the country including award winning teacher Anthony Meindl, voted LA’s number one acting school Anthony Meindl’s Actor’s Workshop, Fitzmaurice Voice Work creators Catherine Fitzmaurice and Saul Kotezubei, Clay Banks of Clay Banks Studio International, Dallas Travers – The Actors Advocate, Improv with Lia Fischer of Second CIty Chicago, and dance at Broadway Dance Center in NYC and the Debbie Reynolds Dance Center in Los Angeles. I also regularly attend continuing education workshops to improve my craft. I love being a student and always find there is room to grow and learn.
Most recently I attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts summer education program, The Broadway Teacher’s Summit, the Dance Teacher Summit in Long Beach, CA and in New York City.
This summer I am headed to the iTheatrics Teacher Training Institute. I have also learned so much from working with my professional mentors at Pittsburgh Musical Theatre, Lori Allen Dance Center, City Theatre, RWS and associates, and iTheatrics. However, I think my greatest education comes from the students I teach every day.
What has been a favorite moment in your Performance career?
Oh geez, that is so tough. I feel like every role or every theatrical experience has had an impact on me and came at just the right time in my life. I loved playing the Witch in Into the Woods, Maria in The Sounds of Music, Sylvia in Sylvia, being in the ensemble of RENT. I also had the opportunity to create the role of Margaret in a new Musical called “Wartime Romance” while I was living in LA. We worked with the most amazing swing era big band orchestra. Getting to sing these beautiful 1940’s hits with this incredibly talented orchestra was mind blowing.
What is your favorite style of Performance Arts to teach?
Musical Theatre and Jazz!
What is the most challenging task being a teacher?
Knowing when to let go.
What professional artists inspire you?
It’s hard to narrow down. Different
things inspire me everyday. My husband, my sons, my mom and dad, my coffee in the morning. The students around me, The MCCA Staff. On a wider scale, the entire iTheatrics Team, Brene Brown (not an official artist but definitely a huge inspiration for me as a human, educator, and leader) Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Reese Witherspoon, Al Blackstone, Bob Fosse, Pasek and Paul, Mandy Moore ( the choreographer and the actress), Lin Manuel Miranda. I’m super inspired by people who share authentic human stories in beautiful and unique ways.
Describe yourself in three words
Passionate, Determined, Resilient
Who is your favorite band?
I don't really have a favorite band. I love music that has a good beat and makes me want to dance or sing. Those songs that make you want to drive with the windows down, wind in your hair, belting at the tops of your lungs. What I listen to really depends on the day, time, and my mood. Top favorites would be- 1940’s Big Band Music, Earth Wind and Fire, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin, Broadway Show Tunes, the Blues, 80s, 90’s and 2000 pop music.
Tell us an interesting fact about you!
I LOVE superhero movies!
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would love to live in Italy. I love the food, the art, the landscape, the culture. Everything about it feels delicious.