I have been involved in the arts in one way or another for most of my life. I have studied piano performance at Cleveland Sate U., and the Cleveland Conservatory of Mucic, while playing piano bar and teaching private piano lessons, which is something I still enjoy doing. I graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta, and began a career in graphic arts. I began teaching music to a public school in Ventura, CA in 2004, at which time I founded and directed the Juanamaria Performing Chorus. After my oldest child graduated from UCSB, she and the rest of my family moved to Bend in 2006. In 2007, I began teaching music to the lower grades at Seven Peaks, and to grades K-5 at Eastman Community School. I also began playing piano at St. Francis Catholic Church for Mass.

In 2008 I began teaching a creative program called A.M.P (arts, music, dramatic play) at Eastman, a cross curriculum storyline approach to the creative arts. In my spare time, I accompanied, sculpts, write music, and plays private house concerts with follow musicians.

I would like to thank my endlessly patient and supportive husband, Rob, who has always encouraged me in every way possible to pursue my true love of the creative arts; My children, Maria (30), Emily (22), Samuel (14), Alexis (13), Victoria (13), and Max (8) for putting up with me and being such tremendous teachers and sources of joy to me; and a final and ultimate acknowledgement goes to God, for giving me the gift of creativity, and the courage to express, share and encourage it. Amen!