About Me

Choose one of the following for an extended bio:

Music Teacher

Music Therapist

Children’s Entertainer

Performing & Studio Musician

Music Teacher

I have been playing music for over 20 years, beginning on piano then moving to guitar/voice/percussion in her teens. I am passionate about music education, especially in early childhood, as it sets the stage for success in the child’s future musical journeys. I am fascinated by how each individual learns differently, and use a variety of games, activities and strategies to adapt to each unique individual’s learning style and motivation. My home studio has thrived, growing from 10 to 30+ students in my first year of private instruction. I enjoy connecting to children (and their family) in creative, entertaining and quirky ways. My music teaching style is also complimented by entertainment tactics from my experience as a children’s entertainer, professional musician and music therapist. Qualifications include:

My origins in teaching Music Together ^® classes for babies and toddlers began in Vancouver under the direction of Katherine Deane’s studio West Side Music Together.  Since then I have begun my own centre in Salmon Arm, BC. This upcoming semester will be my 8th song collection over the past four years.

Music Therapist

With a deep rooted desire to find a way to bring together my skills with people and music, my music therapy journey began the moment I heard the combination of the words “music…therapy.”

This plan was soon interrupted by a very personal experience of the power of music.  Following a car accident , which rendered one arm helpless, I would go into shock from the pain of changing the bandages and had difficulties sleeping.  It was cranking tunes such as Phantom of the Opera (when bandages were changed) that helped me be distracted from the pain and breathe in time to the music to regulate my heart rate.  Other tunes, such as Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence” and relaxation tracks aided sleep.  Having the threat of not regaining full function of my affected arm, my chosen path of music therapy was jeopardized.  With the support of family, friends and community I recovered and was permitted to re-audition a few months later, when I got accepted.

My private practice in Salmon Arm, BC has been centered around children with special needs, specializing in early childhood and elementary school age children.  I have also had the benefit of two years of experience with a well rounded team of speech, occupational and physiotherapists at the NONA Child Development Centre in Vernon, BC.

My qualifications include:

Children’s Entertainer

My past 15 years of experience has included children’s entertainment such as birthday parties, tradeshows, BBQ’s, seasonal parties as a professional clown and entertainer (in plain clothes). A variety of character’s have blossomed into an entire zany family of princesses and mishaps including: Firzle the Clown, sister Scarlett the Scarecrow, Sabrina the Snow Princess (the long lost cousin), Mrs. Claus & Clown Santa (thrice removed), Bop the Bunny (the family pet)…and more “relatives” are always being discovered!  For a full charater history, please click here. My skills and qualifications include:

Kelowna Fat Cat Children’s Festival

Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival

Robson Valley Music Festival

Salmon Arm Children’s Festival

Roots & Blues Music Festival

Salmon Arm Fall Fair

Salmon Arm Market Days- Downtown Improvement Association (DIA)

Relay for Life

Galaxy Cinema’s, Vernon

BDO Dunwoody Christmas Party

The Mall At Picadilly – various events

Centenoka Park Mall

NONA Child Development Centre

LOFT with Shuswap Children’s Association

Playcare Child Care Centre

Linda Howarth Memorial Preschool

Medicine Hat Hospital Christmas Party

Parapeligic Wheelchair Association Fundraiser

Teri Clark’s Homecoming

Parapelegic Association Wheelchair Relay

Wolcott Gas Company Christmas Party

PanCanadian Gas Company Christmas Party

Walmart Grand Opening

Hilda Baptist, Harvest & Victory Lutheran Church

Music Therapy Student Association Fundraising Concert

Private Birthday Parties

& more…

Performing & Studio Musician

I have performed in and around the Salmon Arm community with other local bands, collaborating on studio recording projects and providing entertainment for weddings, funerals, and special events. Please contact me for more details.