Musical Instruments: Voice, Piano, Guitar, Percussion

My Recent Experience:

Since 1991, I have loved every beat per minute teaching voice and piano in Sonoma County. My work is the manifestation of a longtime dream. My beautiful music studio, VoiceGarden, is part of the dream come true. The other part is comprised of all the wonderful singers and musicians who come here for help to achieve their own dreams. VoiceGarden Studio is in a country garden setting behind my home where I live with my family, and is conveniently located just west of downtown Cotati.

Many of my clients advance to performing at levels of excellence. Although a few singers are happy just singing in the studio with my accompaniment, some write songs. They audition and secure rolls in theatre productions; win or place in talent contests, and a few have moved to LA and Nashville to pursue their visions of success in the music business. Many sing or play in bands, studios, choirs, karaoke venues, weddings and open mic nights. When I produced a CD demo for one talented teenager, the CD landed in the hands of a Hollywood songwriting team - and she was offered a recording contract.

Besides giving private lessons, I have also
* produced three concerts a year featuring VoiceGarden's piano and voice clients;
* taught singing classes in public schools and in music stores;
* co-produced an award-winning CD of original songs that I perform with my rock band;
* composed and recorded music for a meditation CD;
* presented a karaoke workshop at a local nightspot;
* judged karaoke contests;
* given talks about music and singing for civic groups.

Before I began teaching music full-time, I held various entertainment-related jobs in Sonoma County. I managed a recording studio and an independent record company, worked in radio and for media production companies, and was music director for a church. While still living in Marin County, I began to work for and perform with internationally-known recording and performing artist Maria Muldaur.

My Teaching Education:

During my early college studies, I earned a B.A. in Theater Arts and Communications from the University of Memphis. I also studied voice and music, and the business of music while at MSU.

Later, during my first few years in the Bay Area, I returned to school at College of Marin, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College. I focused on music, business, sales and marketing, and communications. When I began to teach singing, I took classes to be a music educator. I continue to read books on voice technique, and I attend workshops and seminars to improve my teaching, musical and life skills.

My History:

Originally from West Tennessee, I began my music education with private voice instruction at age seven, and piano lessons at eight. I often performed solo in recitals, talent shows and in church choirs. In groups I learned harmony and sight-reading. When I was thirteen, the seven-piece folk group I sang with placed in the finals at the Mid-South Fair Talent Contest. This resulted in an appearance on the Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour in New York City - a CBS television forerunner to Star Search, American Idol, and America's Got Talent.

My early musical influences were folk singers - Peter, Paul and Mary, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and the Kingston Trio. Later, I found my inspiration with Stevie Wonder, the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Maria Muldaur, Carol King, Barbara Streisand, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel and Elton John. Live music was abundant and diverse; both locally and around West Tennessee, bands played every weekend at the high school dances. I also attended concerts of bluegrass, country, soul, British and southern rock, and a few headliners at nightclubs that didn't check I.D.!

College drew me to Memphis and its thriving music business. I worked with several bands, and was featured in recordings, concerts, musical theater and TV programs. I sang jingles for radio and TV, and even delivered singing telegrams, while freelancing in journalism and in the active Memphis film industry. I joined N.A.R.A.S., the association that produces and votes on the Grammys. As part of the local music scene, I was drawn to jazz and - naturally - the blues.

The Memphis All Stars toured with and backed "oldies" groups. We appeared at state and county fairs, corporate events and radio station promotional concerts with legendary stars, including Chuck Berry, the Coasters, the Drifters, and the Grass Roots. My most memorable performance was in the finale of the Shirelles and Righteous Brothers concert in Atlanta, when I shared a microphone with Bill Medley. In my opinion, "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" never sounded better! Most remarkable meal: Egg McMuffins with Chuck Berry at the Houston airport!

During the five years I lived in Florida, I embraced solo performing, accompanying myself on piano and guitar at clubs and restaurants, fairs and festivals. I produced a record in a Tampa studio with full orchestration; then marketed, distributed and sold it in music stores, gift shops and at my gigs along the Gulf Shore beaches. It got airplay on local radio, and I sang with the soundtrack on TV shows to promote the record upon its release.

In 1989 I moved to Northern California and quickly found work in venues which include: Harrah's in Tahoe and Reno, the Horizon Tahoe, the Mayflower Inne in San Rafael, the Union Hotel in Benicia, the Inn at the Tides in Bodega Bay, the William Tell House in Tomales, and the Holiday Inn Union Square in San Francisco. For three years I performed at Carrows in Petaluma, was director of entertainment, and hosted open mic nights.

I am blessed to work with all ages and levels of singers and musicians. Listening is the most important skill I practice. Compassion and encouragement are the gifts my clients receive. The VoiceGarden showcases inspire and motivate, while vocal and piano exercises are the vehicles for improvement. I show my clients how to apply to performance what they learn in the exercises, and also explain how the exercises lead to progress.

My teaching business has grown through word of mouth, networking and advertising. I work Monday through Friday, reserving weekends for introductory, re-scheduled and make-up sessions. Since I teach after hours as well as during the day, I am available for lessons almost any time my clients request. I love what I do, and I love referrals! Come be a part of my dream, and begin to realize your own.