I am a graduate from Peabody in music composition with a Master’s Degree in teaching. I am not only a professional musician but also a private piano and guitar teacher in Lake Linganore. I have been composing music since I was 10 years old. I have performed all over the East Coast, including Frederick, as well as into Tennessee on both piano and guitar. My album, “Minor Arpeggio,” features some of my original compositions on piano which can be found on Spotify and Amazon music. The album has also received radio play in Spain as well as Washington D.C. I have been teaching out of my home studio in Lake Linganore since the year 2007. I currently have 40 students. Every year, we do a recital at Hill Chapel in New Market for Halloween. I currently am taking students for a guitar camps, and I am always thinking of new projects to do with my students. I love to draw, paint, go on nature walks, do photography and write poetry. And above all other things, I love my family the most.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have a husband and a son who just graduated from Penn State in Electrical Engineering. Most of my relatives live all over the United States. And we have a music dog named Harley Davidson.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
My current and past career is a musician and private piano/guitar teacher. I love sharing my passion with others and watching my students grow as well as expressing themselves through music..
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived in Lake Linganore since 2000 and began private teaching lessons out of my home studio in 2007.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I have met so many interesting people in our community. Everyone has their own story. So I could not pin point it to just one person.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Go for your dreams. Live without regrets. So live big. Don’t let fear hold you back.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I don’t have a bucket list. I feel fortunate to have lived a very wonderful life full of travel, full of many new experiences every year, full of many friends and family. I have realized my dreams. I enjoy looking to the future for where the wind blows me.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I used to like the many trees and forests. I kind of feel sad seeing the landscape being torn down for houses. I like the antique stores. And I love Lake Linganore. I love nature.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself teaching and continued performances around the country. I am currently working with a publisher to publish my own piano teaching series. So I hope to have that completed soon.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Most people know everything about me. I don’t have secrets. But other hobbies of mine are poetry which I apply to my singer/songwriting and painting as well as drawing.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
It is hard to pinpoint that as well because every place I have been to here in the United States and in Europe holds many wonderful things, unique to its location.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
I love summer the best. I love to be outside in warm weather, taking walks around Linganore or being at the beach. Single best day is my birthday and my son’s birthday. Our birthday’s are one day apart.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Restaurants in New York City rate a 10 out of 10.
Q: What person, event or experience has made the greatest impact or inspiration in your life?
My piano teacher from the age of 5, Wendall Ralston, made the biggest impact on me. He had me doing piano competitions from the age of 8. And I owe my technical skills as well as passion to my mentor.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Patty Smith because I love her journey into poetry and art. I would want to meet her in New York City, where she lives. Or Actor Matthew McConaughey. I love his adventurous spirit. I would want to meet him in Texas, where he is from.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family , husband, son, and dog; my grand piano; and my guitars.
