Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. After graduating from high school, I lived in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for six years while pursuing my undergraduate degrees, and I lived in Greensboro, North Carolina for two years while pursuing my graduate degree. In 2018, I packed up all of my material possessions, loaded them into my Jeep, and drove across the country from North Carolina to Port Angeles, Washington. I have enjoyed living here ever since!
What is your favorite thing about your job?
As an orchestra director, I have the absolute luxury and joy of working with some of the same students for multiple years in a row (extending beyond the three years they spend in my classroom). In March, the orchestra program was able to embark on our quadrennial trip to New York City. Watching some of my former elementary orchestra students perform on the stage of Carnegie Hall was undoubtedly one of the most powerful moments in my entire career. Our program offers so much more than just a quality music education; it offers safety, belonging, and significance. Orchestra is like a family. These are just a few of the MANY things I absolutely love about my job (aside from the fact that it is indeed the best job in the world).
Anything you'd like to share about your family?
For now, my family here in Port Angeles includes my husband and I. My husband (a 6’7” tall electrician) is an incredibly hard-working, intentional, and loving person. He was brave enough to let me teach him how to play Jingle Bells on the viola, despite not having an orchestral background at all. (Now that’s true love.) We have been married since August of 2021.
Do you have any hobbies?
I love gardening, the outdoors, traveling, and baking. My husband and I frequently shift from one hyperfixation to another: anything from DIY non-toxic cleaning products to foraging. We like to think of ourselves as lifelong learners (or just suburban homesteaders). I would list music as a hobby as well, but clearly at this point in my life it has become much more than that.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
If I could choose to do anything for a day, I would choose to visit Iceland again. What a beautiful place!
What is your goal for this year?
I have many goals every year, both personally and professionally. Professionally, a few of my goals for this year are as follows: to continue to provide Port Angeles students with an excellent music education, to continue to foster a positive learning environment where students can express their own unique personalities and strengths, to continue to collaborate with and support my colleagues, and to continue to grow overall as a music educator.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In ten years, I see myself doing what I love in a beautiful place that I also love.
What is a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?
I have perfect pitch. Absolute pitch, often called perfect pitch, is the ability to identify or re-create a given musical note without the benefit of a reference pitch.
Anything else you'd like to share with your co-workers?
I am so grateful for each and every one of you! It truly takes a team to serve our students well, and the work you do does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Our PASD staff members are the best!
