Music has been my passion since childhood, beginning when my grandmother bought a piano for me at age five, so that I could take piano lessons. I played the piano through grade school and high school, studying with Anna Mae Christiansen in Omaha. After college, I pursued other careers, but returned to the study of piano as a “non-traditional” student with James March at Morningside College, and then with Susanne Skyrm at the University of South Dakota, graduating with a Masters’ Degree in Piano. I started teaching private piano in my own studio and have taught for the last 20+ years. I am proud to have participated in many professional music organizations: Nebraska Federation of Music Teachers, Omaha Music Teachers Association (OMTA), Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). I am a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music in Piano through MTNA and hold a Permanent Professional Certificate. I continue my education by attending piano teacher workshops, classes, and conferences.
During my lifetime, I have always been interested in other aspects of instrumental and vocal music, fueled by participation in Omaha Central High’s A Capella Choir, and church and community choirs over the years. I play the harpsichord and teach harpsichord to those who are interested.
Participation in church music has been a part of my musical life, from the time I played an old pump organ in a church chapel to playing pipe organs in various churches. I began my study of the organ with Cecil Neubecker in Omaha, then returned to organ study while at the University of South Dakota with Larry Schou. I continued my study of the pipe organ with Marie Rubis Bauer and James Johnson, after returning to Omaha in 2001. I have held organist positions at Salem Lutheran Lutheran Church, Dakota City, Nebraska; St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Sioux City, Iowa; Boys Town Protestant Chapel, Omaha; and am at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Elkhorn, Nebraska (since 2009-2021). I have been a freelance organist and substitute organist in various churches over the years. I am an active member of Omaha Chapter of American Guild of Organists (AGO), having served as Education chairman, and hold a Service playing Certificate through the AGO. I am also a member of the Anglican Association of Musicians.
Since making music and studying music has always been a part of my life, I feel that music should be passed down to all future generations through effective teaching of young students. The Omaha Chapter of the American Guild of Organists has awarded me the distinction of an honorary lifetime membership in May 2023. I have enjoyed serving the Guild by promoting organ playing and teaching organ students.
