I never had any intention of being a music teacher. There was a saying when I was in college "Those who can, perform. Those who can't, teach..." In other words, we all thought that becoming a music teacher was 2nd rate, & only to be done if one couldn't make it as a performer. Over the years, I've realized that the best music teachers are also great performers!

Someone asked me to teach them to play the harp 27 years ago. She was my first student, & over the years I've had many, many more. I enjoy watching harpists develop their skills, & helping them to do so! Anytime you teach something, you make it more your own, & teaching harp has made me a better harpist. I have a studio in my home, where I currently teach 30 private students. I also teach harp in St. Louis Public Schools at Carr Lane Visual & Performing Arts Magnet School (grades 6 - 8), & at Central Visual & Performing Arts High School, & I direct the St. Louis VPA Harp Ensemble.

I have  troubadour style harps that I rent to students who are interested in giving the harp a try, but not quite ready to buy one. Some of my students rent their harps from Music Folk, & others rent harps from Lyon & Healy Harp Company in Chicago. Of course, some of my students own their harps! I have students using various sizes & brands of folk harps, & I also have students with concert harps.

 I offer my  'Free your HarpSong'  workshops once a year in St Louis at Music Folk.

• "The Harp Experience" for beginners who'd like to try it out for the first time.
• "Toys in the Soundbox"  Get to know the basic tools/toys of improvisation and how to use them to enrich your playing experience.
• "Playing in the Soundbox"  Develop a deeper understanding of music theory and it’s application to creating arrangements from lead sheets.

All 3 workshops are  fun & stress free, & are also available as individual lessons. If I'm traveling to your area  & you'd like to arrange a lesson or workshop in your town, please contact me.

My philosophy as a teacher is that music is for fun and pleasure first! There is a certain amount of discipline that must be involved: Attention to technique, understanding of music theory, taking time to practice, listening...all of these are important, but the most important part is enjoyment. Students who make the commitment to practice reach the goal (enjoyment of playing) faster! I want my students to love playing the harp as much as I do!  My motto is "They call it playing music because it's suppose to be fun!"

I encourage (but don't require) my students to join the American Harp Society, and to participate in AHS events, including educational auditions and student recitals. If you'd like more information on harp lessons or workshops, I'd love to hear from you!

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