Education and Licensure

May 2022

James Madison University

Master of Music, Music Education

May 2017

Old Dominion University

Bachelor of Music, Music Education, Instrumental Music
Summa Cum Laude
ODU Honors College, Awarded Most Outstanding Music Department Graduate

2017- Present

Virginia
Teaching Licensure

Postgraduate Professional License, Virginia
Endorsement: Instrumental Music, PreK-12

Teaching and Work Experience

August 2022- Present

Full-Time Music Specialist,
Centerville Elementary,
Virginia Beach, VA

I currently teach 600 wonderful kindergarten through fifth grade students in a weekly general music format. I also teach chorus classes. We do two school concerts each year, and the chorus performs at a variety of school events. I am skilled with multiple online educational platforms including Synergy, Seesaw, and Canvas. I regularly assess student growth according to the SOL state standards.

September 2016-Present

Private Music Instructor,
Flute and Piano

Enrolls students of a variety of ages and levels; experienced with both in person and online lesson through a variety of platforms.

August 2020- April 2022

Graduate Assistant, JMU Music Education

Performed a variety of tasks for professors, including teaching, assistance in research, and administrative/clerical tasks, Assistant Director of YCP String Project (coordinated, taught Pre-K general music and violin classes; mentored undergraduate music education students as they planned and taught these classes)

June- July 2021

Music Teacher,
Norfolk Public Schools Summer Arts Academy

Taught general music and beginning class piano to rising first through third graders during the program’s first year

August 2017- June 2020

Band Director and General Music Teacher,
Norfolk Christian Schools

Taught middle and high school band classes, taught general music classes for preschool and elementary
Taught extracurricular jazz band (MS/HS), after school chorus (elementary)
Took students on field trips, directed concerts, and organized school and community performances

Fall 2016

Substitute Teacher, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Delivered lesson plans for a variety of subjects in a variety of school settings

Delivered lesson plans for a variety of subjects in a variety of school settings

Other Work Experience

Call center specialty receptionist, volunteer administrative office receptionist, cashier

Musical Experience

ODU Ensemble Experience

Wind Ensemble- 4 years, principal flutist- final year
Symphony Orchestra- 1 year, principal flutist
New Music Ensemble- 1 year
Flute Choir- 2 spring semesters, helped organize, advertise, and recruit performers for concerts and rehearsals, performed in masterclass for the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet
Premiered student composition with chamber trio

Solo Flute Work

Studied weekly with ODU adjunct professor Patti Watters, 4 years
Lecture Recital Presentation, The New Flute, April 25, 2016
Masterclasses with renowned flutist Jim Walker, duet class with Virginia Symphony Orchestra flutists
Recitals, Senior flute recital (click to listen), November 2015, and Honors College flute recital, November 2014
Studied biweekly with JMU DMA Candidate Dominic Baldoni, 1 year

Other Musical Experience

Worship musician (flute, keyboard, voice) in various religious settings (churches, school, Bible studies, etc.)
Taken jazz pedagogy and improvisation classes
Studies voice with JMU DMA candidate Anqi He (one semester)

Research

Master's Thesis at JMU

Early Career Music Teachers and Trauma

View the completed project here.

A mixed-methods study designed to examine experiences of trauma during music teachers' early careers. The first portion of the study was a survey meant to collect information from a larger range of teachers, examining similarities and differences of experience broadly. Then, the researcher selected a small group of consenting survey participants to interview. The interview portion examined individual stories of trauma more deeply.

April 19, 2020 & November 18-19, 2021

An Exploration of Brass Pedagogical Practices in Beginning Band

Presented first as part of the JMU Graduate Student Showcase;

Final results presented at VMEA Poster Session 2021.

An interview study with successful Virginia band directors aimed at finding both common and unique pedagogical practices and sequencing at the very beginning of beginning brass.

April 25, 2016

The New Flute

A lecture-recital presentation of flute extended techniques in conjunction with the ODU Honors College. Included demonstrations, performances, teaching tips, and history of repertoire and composers.