Autobiography
I knew early on that I wanted to be a band director/music teacher. My first experience was being "fitted" for an instrument toward the end of fifth grade. My dream was to play the trumpet. My main goal was to use the trumpet as an alarm to wake my dad. Luckily, I never went through with my plan. Not sure who was luckier - me or my dad, who is a police sergeant. I was fitted with the trumpet - the only instrument where my small fingers would reach the buttons. From that moment on I knew my calling. My middle school band director, Mr. Young, was my biggest influence in music. He got me excited about music, showed me my potential and challenged me. I think it is very cool that he was also my dad's high school band director.
I believe in giving back to the community, so while I was a freshman in high school, I became certified to sound TAPS at military funerals. I have performed at many funerals, cancer walks and parade ceremonies. One of my proudest moments was receiving a medal from the V.F.W. and another from a Command Sergeant Major with Fort McCoy for my services to the community for sounding TAPS for those who served for us. Sounding TAPS has made me realize how important music is to people. I continue to sound TAPS for services today.
Over the years I have participated in many groups. I have played in ensembles, choirs and "pits" for plays. I was a member of the professional women's music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota. I also was a member in the hand bell choir at Trinity church in my hometown. It's these experiences where I have learned different styles of conducting and how to get the best performance from everyone.
I have traveled to New York and played at Carnegie Hall with my high school band. A stop at Ground Zero, while in New York, was very meaningful. I have also been on many tours with my university's jazz band and symphonic wind ensemble. Music has taken me many places and I look forward to seeing where it will take me next.
November 1st, 2009--I remember it like it was yesterday--UW-Platteville Marching Pioneers waiting to step onto the field of the Green Bay Packers versus the Minnesota Vikings for the half-time show. We all were nervous but thrilled that we had been chosen. And Me? A five foot-redhead from small-town Wisconsin leading the pack as one of three drum majors. I thought to myself - "can't get any better than this!" Countless hours of practice and preparation led up to the Marching Pioneers walking out of the player tunnel heading onto the field. You can imagine little me passing the football GIANTS making their way to the locker room. I was so proud to be a part of that musical team. To this day, when I see the Packers take the field, I remember that day. As a drum major I directed, communicated, led and encouraged.
I have competed in several pageants around my hometown over the years. I was first runner up to the 2010 Miss Sparta, second runner up to the 2013 Miss Wisconsin Collegiate and I was crowned 2013 Miss Wisconsin USA Ambassador. During these pageants I promoted "Continuing Music Education in Schools" as my platform. It’s during these experiences that I learned communication skills, self confidence, interview skills and how to interact with the public. I also organized, fund raised, planned, promoted and budgeted. These skills create my foundation for being a band director/music teacher.
Perseverance, dedication and patience can lead to rewarding experiences. Music gives me this overpowering feeling inside, and if I can express that to students then I will have done my job as a teacher. I feel my five foot stature is a benefit to being a teacher. It makes the students feel comfortable because I appear relateable. I am a serious director, and I play by the rules, but, I include humor. I just want to teach others to love music as much as I do.
I knew early on that I wanted to be a band director/music teacher. My first experience was being "fitted" for an instrument toward the end of fifth grade. My dream was to play the trumpet. My main goal was to use the trumpet as an alarm to wake my dad. Luckily, I never went through with my plan. Not sure who was luckier - me or my dad, who is a police sergeant. I was fitted with the trumpet - the only instrument where my small fingers would reach the buttons. From that moment on I knew my calling. My middle school band director, Mr. Young, was my biggest influence in music. He got me excited about music, showed me my potential and challenged me. I think it is very cool that he was also my dad's high school band director.
I believe in giving back to the community, so while I was a freshman in high school, I became certified to sound TAPS at military funerals. I have performed at many funerals, cancer walks and parade ceremonies. One of my proudest moments was receiving a medal from the V.F.W. and another from a Command Sergeant Major with Fort McCoy for my services to the community for sounding TAPS for those who served for us. Sounding TAPS has made me realize how important music is to people. I continue to sound TAPS for services today.
Over the years I have participated in many groups. I have played in ensembles, choirs and "pits" for plays. I was a member of the professional women's music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota. I also was a member in the hand bell choir at Trinity church in my hometown. It's these experiences where I have learned different styles of conducting and how to get the best performance from everyone.
I have traveled to New York and played at Carnegie Hall with my high school band. A stop at Ground Zero, while in New York, was very meaningful. I have also been on many tours with my university's jazz band and symphonic wind ensemble. Music has taken me many places and I look forward to seeing where it will take me next.
November 1st, 2009--I remember it like it was yesterday--UW-Platteville Marching Pioneers waiting to step onto the field of the Green Bay Packers versus the Minnesota Vikings for the half-time show. We all were nervous but thrilled that we had been chosen. And Me? A five foot-redhead from small-town Wisconsin leading the pack as one of three drum majors. I thought to myself - "can't get any better than this!" Countless hours of practice and preparation led up to the Marching Pioneers walking out of the player tunnel heading onto the field. You can imagine little me passing the football GIANTS making their way to the locker room. I was so proud to be a part of that musical team. To this day, when I see the Packers take the field, I remember that day. As a drum major I directed, communicated, led and encouraged.
I have competed in several pageants around my hometown over the years. I was first runner up to the 2010 Miss Sparta, second runner up to the 2013 Miss Wisconsin Collegiate and I was crowned 2013 Miss Wisconsin USA Ambassador. During these pageants I promoted "Continuing Music Education in Schools" as my platform. It’s during these experiences that I learned communication skills, self confidence, interview skills and how to interact with the public. I also organized, fund raised, planned, promoted and budgeted. These skills create my foundation for being a band director/music teacher.
Perseverance, dedication and patience can lead to rewarding experiences. Music gives me this overpowering feeling inside, and if I can express that to students then I will have done my job as a teacher. I feel my five foot stature is a benefit to being a teacher. It makes the students feel comfortable because I appear relateable. I am a serious director, and I play by the rules, but, I include humor. I just want to teach others to love music as much as I do.