Why did you choose the subject area that you teach?

I believe it was 1980 when the movie Fame came out. The story followed a group of students from all walks of life, races, and religions who came from every borough of New York City to do one thing—create art.

At the time, I was in middle school in Staten Island, where the arts were not supported. Additionally, kids my age thought performing was weird, and I became the object of bullying and ridicule.

When eighth grade rolled around, I found out I had the opportunity to audition for the school that inspired the movie Fame. During my time at this incredible school, I had teachers who not only believed in me but also pushed me out of my comfort zone, helping me become the most confident performer I could be.

The movie Fame mirrored the school in many ways, especially with teachers like Debbie Allen's character—teachers who believed that everyone had talent but also taught that talent doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t believe in yourself and work hard.

It was during that time I realized I wanted a career in the performing arts so I could change people’s lives.

Are there any memorable or impactful moments in your teaching career that stand out to you?

There are so many moments, but one that sticks out to me was on a trip with the McDonogh Singers to Disney World. During the trip, a student of mine had a bit too much fun riding the rides and lost her voice. She happened to be our soloist the next day and was very upset that she couldn’t sing.

My dear friend Toni Stefano and I encouraged her and gave her some alternate notes to perform with that day so she could sing. When she got on stage, not only did she sing those notes well, but she also brought the house down with her power!

Watching that was incredible, but it was even more meaningful knowing that this young girl grew up to become a Stewart recitalist and is now a soloist with a top college choir.

How do you connect with and engage students in the learning process?

Teaching music in middle school can be challenging in many ways. This is a time of life when puberty hits, and voices are cracking all over the place. It’s also a time when confidence is low for many kids, and the performing arts might be the only place they feel like they belong.

Since we only meet 1–2 times a week, whatever we do during our time together needs to be engaging, enriching, and memorable. My classes always start with a few minutes to breathe, refocus, and connect. We then take time to rehearse music that is accessible to everyone, allowing students to feel and share its meaning with their audience.

Learning the skills of reading music can be tedious, so we incorporate short three-minute lessons that are fun and engaging to hold attention. We end class with an ensemble-building game like Captain’s Coming or Popcorn, where we let energy out, laugh together, and find joy!

Beyond the classroom, what are some of your interests or hobbies that you’re passionate about?

I love to perform. Over the years, I have been cast in shows like Mary Poppins, Sister Act, Hello, Dolly!, and Hairspray! Performing allows me to step into other people's shoes, helping me build empathy for many different types of people. It also gives me the opportunity to bring joy and educate others while doing what I love.

Do you have a favorite place on campus? What makes it your favorite?

I do have a favorite place on campus. For sixteen years, I dreamed about having a house on McDonogh's campus. We lived in Carroll County, and I always felt so far away from the action on campus and the incredible people that made it special.

A few times a week, my mentor and now best friend, Nancy McFadden, and I would take walks through the campus neighborhoods. Along the way, we would always stop at the chapel, walk around the paved circular path, and sit on the bench overlooking the fields. We would talk and dream of the future.

During one of our walks there, we were both feeling tired. Out of the blue, the skies opened up, and the concert choir belted out a resounding “Hallelujah.” That was the moment this spot became my favorite.

When Nancy retired, I painted her a picture of that spot so she would always remember McDonogh.