
I was born and raised in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. Growing up in an artistic family, with parents who taught at Lester B. Pearson United World College, I was lucky to be surrounded and influenced by different cultures and variety of musical styles.
Music, Art, Travel and Culture are all guides in my life. I wish I could go on and on about the wonderful experiences I’ve had in my life up to date, but that’s for another place than here.
Here is the tale of my music journey thus far.
My first instruments were piano and voice. I began piano lessons at age 3 and was in choirs since I was 6 years old. Around 11 years old, I felt that piano wasn’t for me. My Dad suggested I try a lesson on cello with a friend of his and local cello teacher, Gail O’Riordan. At 12 years old, I had my first lesson and fell immediately in love with the instrument.
Cello became an integral part of my life and I loved it. I joined the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra for 2 years but then left it to go study at Pearson College. It was at 19 years old that I decided I wanted to pursue cello as a career. So began the next phase of my journey with the cello.
The subsequent years led me to study cello at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, with James Hunter and then Paula Kiffner. I earned an Associate of the Conservatory of Music certificate in Cello Performance and Cello Pedagogy from the Victoria Conservatory as well as a Diploma in Music from Camosun College. Following that, I attended the University of Victoria, studying with Pam Highbaugh-Aloni, earning a BMUS in Cello Performance in 2005.
Summer study brought me to CYMC, Mount Royal Summer Camp, studying with John Kadz. The Banff Center, where I earned valuable lessons from Aldo Parisot, and Shauna Rolston, and lucky enough for me, Edgar Meyer. Tafelmusik’s Baroque Summer Institute with Christina Mahler.
In 2006, Post education, I became a mother and started a job with the Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra as Assistant Principle Cello.
Like any journey, there are twists and turns in the road and in 2008, I moved from Victoria to Maui.
From 2008-2012 I was principle cellist of the Maui Pop’s Orchestra. I also played with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra and Hawaii Opera Theatre on Oahu. I was a founding member of the Maui Cello Quartet and gave recitals with pianist Lotus Dancer, in our chamber ensemble, Cellano.
My non classical alter-ego led me to collaborate with singer-songwriter, Jim Major, bringing me to the stage opening for such bands as Santana, Mick Fleetwood & Island Rumours, Smashmouth, Train, Huey Lewis and Henry Kapono. I also had some wonderful recording opportunities, including recording on the Grammy nominated album Wind, Rock, Sea and Flame, produced by composer/pianist, Peter Kater.
Meeting another fork in the road, I returned to Victoria in 2013. I currently work as a freelance cellist. I sub with the Victoria Symphony, formed the Victoria Cello Quartet and am on Faculty at the Victoria Conservatory of Music.
I look forward to all that is to come with my journey with the cello. Through performing, teaching and through all the amazing people and places that the cello bring to my life….I always await the the next adventure.