I am a graduate of the Eastman 
School of music where I majored in piano performance. I taught piano for fifteen years at the Hochstein School of Music and maintained a private teaching studio in my home. I have studied organ performance with David Craighead and Richard Erickson, and conducting with Donald Neuen at the Eastman School and James Jordan at Westminster Choir College. I have studied children's choirs with Helen Kemp, Henry Leck, John Horman and others. I served as Organist and Director of Music at several area churches, including the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection and Incarnation Episcopal Church. I have given workshops in handbells and children's choir for various groups in the Rochester area. Currently I am teaching a new course on conducting Handbell Choirs for the Eastman School of music. 

Goals  

As Associate Director of Music, my primary responsibilities are with the music programs for the children and youth. I direct the three children's choirs, as well as six handbell groups. I also enjoy working with the Meigs Street Ramblers, a Dixieland band that plays at Mardi Gras and Rally Day. This year the Junior Choir, grades 3-6, is working on the musical "Once Upon a Parable” by Allen Pote which will be performed on April 25, 2004.  Our newest handbell choir is a group of beginning adult ringers who have chosen the name "Freedom Ringers."  They are enjoying learning the basics of handbell ringing.  A "Handbell Festival," featuring all the handbell choirs of Third Church, will take place on Sunday, May 2, 2004.  In August, the children of the Junior Choir will again be part of the Camp Cory Retreat, which is a 4-day, overnight choir camp involving six area churches.   

The over all goal of the children's and youth music program is to teach young musicians about their Christian faith using hymns and anthems. The program also helps them understand and appreciate the rewards of weekly participation in worship as they offer their talents to God and to the faith community. Music can play an important role in the faith development of children and youth.