The Backstory

My mother would drive me 14 miles into town to take piano lessons as an elementary student every Saturday morning. I continued through early high school and continued my studies into college at the University of South Dakota. I then joined the military as an Army musician, and continued to hone my performance skills through the military and in civilian cover bands.

I began teaching private lessons in 2015, averaging 20-30 private students each week. Each student is a reminder of me giving back to the teachers that have guided me.

What Stands Out

I like to think of myself as the "cool" piano teacher. Whether or not that's true, I like to treat each student as a friend. I know what it's like to sit nervously in "the hot seat" trying to play my best, just hoping that the teacher would think I practiced enough. I understand that music flows more freely when we are comfortable and feel less like we are being judged, but rather, encouraged.

I enjoy working with beginners with little to no experience, ages 7 to adult. I will challenge those beginners to intermediates who crave more advanced techniques, and can tailor the lessons to what suits the student best. 

Why I Teach

When I teach, I feel like I am honoring my late piano teacher from when I was a child. She always said that I could be a piano teacher, which I brushed off until adulthood when I felt drained by "real jobs" that did not use my musical talents and music degree.

I love feeling like I can positively shape young creative minds, and also empower and encourage adults who may feel like they are getting a late start into something they have always wished they had done. There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing my students smile.