About

A Teacher First

Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a musical household—my dad taught classical guitar and my mom was a church organist and piano teacher. I started taking piano lessons from my mom when I was around 8, and then guitar lessons from my dad when I was 10. Even though I stepped away from music as a teenager, those early years gave me a foundation that would eventually bring me back to music in a meaningful way.

Before I became a music teacher, I spent years working in education. I have a degree in psychology and earned a teaching certificate in special education, where I focused on helping students with learning disabilities succeed in mainstream classrooms. I taught fifth and sixth grade, worked as a teaching assistant, and spent time substitute teaching in a variety of settings. Through all of this, I learned how people learn—how to break down skills into manageable steps, how to meet students where they are, and how to help them build confidence along the way.

Finding My Way Back to Music

In my late 20s, I felt something was missing. I picked up a secondhand guitar, dug out some old books from the library, and started teaching myself. It didn't take long before I realized I wanted to go deeper, so I found a teacher—Rene Berblinger at Artichoke Music in Portland. Rene opened up a whole new world for me. He taught classical guitar, but he also had deep knowledge of folk music, jazz, and music theory. I started studying with him in the early 2000s, and I still work with him today. In many ways, we've become collaborators.

A few years into my studies, I knew I wanted to teach. I started offering lessons around 2005 at a community center and in students' homes—and I've been teaching ever since, with nearly 20 years of experience now. Eventually, I began teaching at Artichoke Music, and later helped found a music school with a few other teachers. Today, I teach at Artichoke Music and also offer online lessons.

What I Teach

I teach banjo, guitar, and kids ukulele lessons.

Most of my students are adult beginners learning banjo—both clawhammer and fingerstyle. I also teach folk guitar and beginning classical guitar. And I have a kids ukulele program for students ages 6 and up that serves as a great introduction to music and often becomes a stepping stone to guitar.

Over the years, I've spent a lot of time developing my own materials and curriculum, as well as finding the best resources to help students progress. I believe in meeting students where they are and giving them things to work on that are both challenging and achievable.

Why I Love Teaching Beginners

One of the things I bring to teaching music is my background in education. A lot of music teachers are great players, but playing and teaching are very different skill sets. I genuinely love teaching—figuring out what works for each student, breaking down techniques into clear steps, and helping people discover what they're capable of.

I'm told I'm patient. I think that comes from years of working with kids and understanding that everyone learns at their own pace. Whether you're 6 years old picking up a ukulele for the first time or an adult who's always wanted to learn banjo, I'm here to help you take that first step—and all the ones that follow.

Let's Get Started