My Story
I first began teaching when I received an email from a school administrator inviting me to apply for a lead tutoring position at my university. This surprised me, as I had never really considered that I could be a teacher before, nor had I ever considered myself a particularly good student. I said yes and absolutely fell in love with teaching. Since becoming a tutor at my university, where I covered academic writing, music skills, and dance, I have acquired over seven years of teaching experience in both the US and Canada, primarily teaching voice, musical theatre, acting, and dance. I have taught for many different programs and schools in many different locations, including Yes, And! Collaborative Arts (Philadelphia, PA), Ballet Academy East (New York, NY), UArts Pre-College Program (Philadelphia, PA), Puddle of Mud Productions (Calgary, AB), Bert Church Theatre (Airdrie, AB), Bowtown Music (Calgary, AB), and Visionary Centre for the Performing Arts (Edmonton, AB).
My Philosophy
As a teacher, I strive to be as adaptive as possible when connecting with different individuals and groups of students. Every individual student or group has different needs and connects with different methods, and remaining too committed to one way of thinking or teaching limits the opportunity for true connection and growth.
I believe that practice makes progress, and that there is no end product we need to aim for, only an ever-evolving journey on which we can embark with care, love, and dedication. I believe in honouring the human first and meeting people where they are. I ask that students arrive ready to give their best effort with the deeper understanding that our best effort can look very different depending on the day. I presume competence with all students and encourage them to take initiative when it comes to learning.
I believe in the ability and inherent worth of all my students. Building our skills and acquiring knowledge are wonderful things, but the most important thing to me when teaching is helping my students develop their authentic selves and find their individual voice.
I believe that practice makes progress, and that there is no end product we need to aim for, only an ever-evolving journey on which we can embark with care, love, and dedication. I believe in honouring the human first and meeting people where they are. I ask that students arrive ready to give their best effort with the deeper understanding that our best effort can look very different depending on the day. I presume competence with all students and encourage them to take initiative when it comes to learning.
I believe in the ability and inherent worth of all my students. Building our skills and acquiring knowledge are wonderful things, but the most important thing to me when teaching is helping my students develop their authentic selves and find their individual voice.
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Photo by Shirleen Burnett
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Download my direction, choreography, and teaching resume: |
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Learn with me!
Fall 2023 Teaching Engagements
Bert Church Theatre - Airdrie, Alberta
I teach theatre and acting classes for students aged 7-17 at Bert Church Theatre in Airdrie.
Classes explore various performance techniques, and each class session culminates in an exciting performance for friends and family.
Class announcement and registration link coming soon! Learn more about Bert Church Theatre here.
Sleeping Giants Theatre - Cochrane, Alberta
I'm excited to announce that I will be joining the team at Sleeping Giants Theatre for the fall session, teaching musical theatre! This great new company is the first of its kind in Cochrane, Alberta, and I'm looking forward to bringing musical theatre to the community there.
Learn more about Sleeping Giants Theatre here.
Quest Theatre Artists in School Program - Calgary, Alberta
This will be my first year participating at a teaching artist in Quest Theatre's Artists in School program.
This incredible program sends theatre professionals to schools for week-long residencies programs that gives students of all ages the opportunity to express themselves creatively, learn new things, and experience the magic of theatre. I am thrilled to be a part of this year's residencies!
Learn more about Quest Theatre here.
Evergreen Theatre Artist in Residency Programs - Calgary, Alberta
I am also on the roster for Evergreen Theatre's artist in residency programs, where we travel to schools across Alberta and help students create theatre pieces tied to their school curriculum. It is a wonderful way to learn! Learn more about Evergreen here.
Private Voice and Acting Lessons - Calgary, Alberta
Looking for a one-on-one experience? I teach private voice and acting lessons out of my own home in NE Calgary.
I specialize in pop and musical theatre styles and take students over the age of 8 of all skill levels. Online lessons are also available.
Get in touch with me here or shoot me an email at [email protected] to set up a trial lesson.
Bert Church Theatre - Airdrie, Alberta
I teach theatre and acting classes for students aged 7-17 at Bert Church Theatre in Airdrie.
Classes explore various performance techniques, and each class session culminates in an exciting performance for friends and family.
Class announcement and registration link coming soon! Learn more about Bert Church Theatre here.
Sleeping Giants Theatre - Cochrane, Alberta
I'm excited to announce that I will be joining the team at Sleeping Giants Theatre for the fall session, teaching musical theatre! This great new company is the first of its kind in Cochrane, Alberta, and I'm looking forward to bringing musical theatre to the community there.
Learn more about Sleeping Giants Theatre here.
Quest Theatre Artists in School Program - Calgary, Alberta
This will be my first year participating at a teaching artist in Quest Theatre's Artists in School program.
This incredible program sends theatre professionals to schools for week-long residencies programs that gives students of all ages the opportunity to express themselves creatively, learn new things, and experience the magic of theatre. I am thrilled to be a part of this year's residencies!
Learn more about Quest Theatre here.
Evergreen Theatre Artist in Residency Programs - Calgary, Alberta
I am also on the roster for Evergreen Theatre's artist in residency programs, where we travel to schools across Alberta and help students create theatre pieces tied to their school curriculum. It is a wonderful way to learn! Learn more about Evergreen here.
Private Voice and Acting Lessons - Calgary, Alberta
Looking for a one-on-one experience? I teach private voice and acting lessons out of my own home in NE Calgary.
I specialize in pop and musical theatre styles and take students over the age of 8 of all skill levels. Online lessons are also available.
Get in touch with me here or shoot me an email at [email protected] to set up a trial lesson.
Words to Live By
"There is a vitality,
a life force,
a quickening
that is translated through you into action,
and because there is only one of you in all time,
this expression is unique.
And If you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost.
The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine
how good it is
nor how valuable it is
nor how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly
to keep the channel open.
You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work.
You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate YOU.
Keep the channel open...
No artist is pleased...
There is no satisfaction whatever at anytime
There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction
a blessed unrest that keeps us marching
and makes "us" MORE alive than the others."
Martha Graham
from a letter to Agnes De Mille
a life force,
a quickening
that is translated through you into action,
and because there is only one of you in all time,
this expression is unique.
And If you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost.
The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine
how good it is
nor how valuable it is
nor how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly
to keep the channel open.
You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work.
You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate YOU.
Keep the channel open...
No artist is pleased...
There is no satisfaction whatever at anytime
There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction
a blessed unrest that keeps us marching
and makes "us" MORE alive than the others."
Martha Graham
from a letter to Agnes De Mille
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