Music can be a part of our lives at any time. Growing up, I sang in church choir, enjoyed sing-alongs at camp, played around with the piano, and sang in the car on family trips. At the age of 9 I started playing in the school beginning band on the clarinet. A couple years later I started playing the guitar.  I loved being involved in the band and orchestra at Quincy High School.  Music was a major part of my growing up years.

I attended the University of Illinois in Urbana and received by B.S. in Music Education from Quincy College.   My graduate degree is in Education and is from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri.  After studying music in college and learning how to play most of the instruments, I thought I had enough music in my life. But then I heard the sounds of a hammered dulcimer and I was hooked! This is one of the most exciting instruments I have played. It is pleasing to play alone or with other instruments. And any kind of music sounds great on the hammered dulcimer. It is fun to bring it to school as many students have never seen or heard one before.  I enjoy the challenge of learning an instrument and my newest one is a banjo!

 I currently play the clarinet in the Quincy Community Concert Band, and the Quincy Park Band. I have also played in the Muddy River Opera orchestra, the Quincy Symphony, and the Quincy Community Theater pit orchestra.  Directing church bell choir is a way I can be involved spiritually. I also play guitar with a string band consisting of hammer dulcimers, flute, and fiddle. Music will always be part of my life. I hope that our young people will enjoy music and make it part of their lives. It is a wonderful way to relax, whether making music or listening for the sheer enjoyment of it. The language of music binds us together!

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