Biography
As a little girl, I used to watch as my brothers and cousins participated in recitals and other high school music events. It was then that I decided to become involved in music. Music has been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I can’t imagine a day in my life that didn’t contain music.
I grew up in Barberton, Ohio; I know, I've barely heard of it myself. It was a one horse town, and that horse was on leave. But we had chicken; the best chicken around. So if you like chicken (which everyone in Barberton does) it was a great place to grow up. I attended St. Augustine’s Catholic School from kindergarten to eighth grade. Because of funding, or lack of funding as it were, music was not a course option; therefore I participated in extracurricular activities to foster my musical background. I began piano lessons the age of ten with Ms. Jennifer Wennerstrom, who is now a choral director at Cuyahoga Falls High School. I continued piano lessons for six years, until I took a break so I could focus more on academics. However, I recently resumed my lessons in the summer of 2004 at The University of Akron with Dr. Christina Tan.
While I was in 7th grade, I became very interested in the vocal aspects of music and began lessons at the West Side Vocal Academy in Akron, Ohio. I studied voice for five years with Mr. Jamie Cordes, who is now a professor at Wright State University. I also studied the art of acting with Mrs. Marya Spring Cordes for three years. Throughout my school years I studied Jazz and Ballet at Pointe West Performances in Akron, Ohio and performed at several musical theatre camps.
I graduated from Barberton High School in May of 2003. My years and experiences there along side choral director Jennifer Wennerstom are what really created my love for music. I was part of the Magic Singers Show Choir and Women’s Ensemble during my entire high school career and accompanied the Men’s Ensemble on the piano for three years. I participated in OMEA solo and ensemble in voice for four years and in piano for two. I was also a very active part of the musical theatre department at BHS, holding the roles of Virtue in Anything Goes, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, and Marian the Librarian in The Music Man.
I am currently a sophomore at The University of Akron and am majoring in choral music education. I am an active member of the OCMEA and am the current treasurer of ACDA. I participate in The University Singers under the direction of Mrs. Ann Usher and study voice under Doctor Laurie Lashbrook.