Not too long ago, I found myself in a small building nestled in the heart of an arboretum in a small Canadian town, singing with 20-or-so other people. Floor-to-ceiling windows encased the round, carpeted room, boasting to us the brilliant yellows and reds of autumn just steps away. 

We spent five days together in that space, gathered for an improvisation workshop that would not be centered around a performance. I remember thinking what a unique collection of moments it felt like. The music we were creating would never be for anybody else – and not only that, but because everything was improvised, it would never be heard again. 

Throughout my career, I have led choirs on some of the most prominent stages in the world. I’ve conducted chamber orchestras and theatrical productions, and I’ve prepared choirs for television appearances such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and recording sessions for Sony Music. I’ve prepared choirs for collaborations with extraordinary artists across nearly every genre – from pop artists such as Jason Mraz and Jordin Sparks, to Broadway stars like Jessica Vosk, Joshua Henry and Idina Menzel; and from the instrumental world of the New York Pops, Time for Three and the Kronos Quartet, to other artistic mediums with Alvin Ailey, OnSite Opera, and Beth Morrison Projects.

The juxtaposition of experiences – the quiet intimacy of that secluded arboretum that no audience gets to see, and the honor of conducting at Carnegie Hall with an audience of nearly 3,000 – is striking to me. Through all these spaces and everything in between, I have shaped my skills and discovered my core values to align with a musical space rooted in connection, artistry, and playfulness.

I find so much joy in working with singers of all ages and skill levels; and when inevitably asked, I’ve never been able to pick a favorite age. My work with high schoolers inspires the way I approach music with younger children, and my work with the very youngest singers, in turn, enriches how I guide adult singers. I love how a slow, deep, centering breath can nourish us all. I am deeply moved by seeing people of all ages lit up by a stunning chord. I am fascinated by the ways music opens hearts. I delight in noticing what brings smiles, stirs memories, and even moves us to tears.

I have had the privilege of serving as a conductor and artistic leader with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, the Boston Children’s Chorus, and the Savannah Children’s Choir, nurturing singers ages 8 to 18 in their growth as artists and individuals. Today, I serve as the Interim Executive Artistic Director of the Miami Children’s Chorus, and as Artistic Director of the Fieldston Choral Society, an adult community chorus based in Manhattan.

I’ve been invited to work with young people and music teachers alike across the country and around the world. I’ve conducted All-State choirs in over 20 states at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as dozens of local and regional choral festivals. In early 2024, I was honored to conduct the ACDA Eastern Region Elementary Honor Choir. My most recent international work brought me to Guadalajara, Spain, where I worked with children at La Escuela Municipal de Música y Danza de Cabanillas del Campo, as well as to Winchester, England, where I conducted adolescent singers and aspiring conductors from over 50 countries around the world at the Ingenium Music Academy.

Whether I am conducting children taking some of their first musical breaths or adults who have been singing for years, I celebrate the shared human experience that music brings to us all. It’s in the small breakthroughs, the quiet moments of courage and discovery, and the joy that comes when a piece truly resonates.

My passion for and approach to music education lies in the sweet spot where pedagogy, sequencing, and skill-building intersect with philosophical exploration. I aim to empower educators at every stage of their journey, providing practical tools they can apply immediately in their classrooms and rehearsals, while inspiring them to reconnect with their own artistry and the transformative power of music. Together, we explore how it all comes together to create inclusive and vibrant spaces where the music and the music-makers come alive.

I love this work. I love connecting with music teachers and exploring all their questions and curiosities. I love hearing about what’s happening in their classrooms and working with them to celebrate their successes, address their challenges, and foster meaningful conversations about their craft.

My workshops explore many topics, including: vocal exercises and music literacy at beginning and intermediate levels; conducting techniques; cultivating artistry at every age and experience level; rehearsal techniques; mindfulness and presence; and free vocal improvisation.

I have been invited to lead workshops to aspiring teachers, new teachers, and seasoned teachers alike, through ACDA, NAfME and OAKE, as well as in collegiate spaces including NYU, the University of North Dakota, the University of Connecticut, Columbia University, and others. I serve as a conductor and clinician for the Hal Leonard publishing company, through which I offer professional development opportunities and resources to music educators at state conferences and regional clinics across the country. In the summer of 2024, I joined Carnegie Hall’s Music Educators Workshop as a member of their Core Faculty, where music educators gather from around the country to hone their craft and explore the development of their philosophies.

In the spring of 2022, I was invited to conduct a special music service at First Unitarian Church in Brooklyn, and I have been deeply engaged with their music ministry ever since, serving as a songleader, conductor, soloist, and substitute music director. 

It was at First Unitarian that I fell in love with music in worship, made even more impactful for me by discovering it within a spiritual setting whose values align with my own. I have loved deepening my work in Unitarian Universalist music ministry, where music so powerfully creates space for reflection, renewal, and action.

In the summer of 2024, I had the privilege of leading the music ministry in residence at Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado. Today, I continue to serve Foothills Unitarian as Director of Music. I love the creative process of designing worship; selecting meaningful songs, crafting liturgical musical moments, and blending tradition with innovation, all guided by the community’s spiritual needs.