Get to know me

What role did music and the arts play in your childhood growing up?

Music was an integral part of my childhood, starting at a very young age

when I insisted on pretending to play the drums during my preschool

music concerts. I originally started my musical journey as a percussionist

in 5th grade band, and I joined choir in 7th grade, since I have always

loved to sing. I continued with both of those commitments until high

school, when I switched from band to orchestra and took up the violin.

My freshman year of high school was sadly choir-less, but starting in

sophomore year, I fell in love with choir and have been enamored by it

ever since. Outside of school, I helped lead children’s choirs at my local

church, and served on the music team for VBS for a few years. By the end

of high school, I knew I wanted to bring the joy of music to others, and I

chose to go to college to become a teacher.

What is your earliest memory of music?

My earliest childhood memories of music are from “Music Together”

classes that my parents took me to throughout my first few years of life.

These were community classes focused on giving families a chance to

engage in music. I remember going ham on the egg shakers (hence my

elementary career as a percussionist) and loving every minute of it.

At what point did you decide that you wanted to pursue a career

educating students in music?

My first teaching experience was when I got my first job as a downhill ski

instructor at 14. After just a couple days on the job, I realized that

teaching is one of the most fulfilling things I can do, and I never really

stopped after that. As I became more involved in choir and musical

leadership later in high school, the convergence of music and teaching

just felt right.

What was your college music experience like?

At St. Olaf, I was involved in several ensembles. My two primary

ensembles were the St. Olaf Chamber Singers and the St. Olaf Chapel

Choir, and I also performed in several other student-led choirs and

ensembles throughout my four years. As a music education major, I was

able to take on many leadership and teaching roles, including serving as a

section leader in both choirs and as assistant conductor in the Chapel

Choir. I also taught voice lessons to fellow students and conducted a “lab

choir” in my senior year. I also served for one year as a Sunday School

Music Director at a local church, where I led elementary-aged students

through music lessons and bi-monthly concerts.

You have a few weeks under your belt teaching at the FD Middle

School, what has been the biggest surprise as a new teacher?

I have to say that the biggest surprise I’ve had this far is just how natural

it feels. I know that may be a bit of a strange thing to say, but the weeks

before your first-ever students walk into your classroom are filled with so

much anticipation, excitement, and nervousness. To say it was stressful

would probably be an understatement, but at the end of the day it just

felt so natural. I knew I was where I was meant to be.

What has been the biggest challenge in the first weeks? 

In my experience, it’s very rare for a middle school choir program to be as

popular and as large as Fort Dodge Middle School’s is. Across all grades,

there are around 230 students in choir, with my largest choir sitting at

nearly 80 students. It’s been such a joy to work with so many students,

and I’m thrilled by how many of them are really engaged with the arts.

However, with such large ensembles, I’m finding it more challenging than

I had expected to build strong relationships with each and every student. I

believe choir is primarily a relationship-centered activity, and I want to

have a deep connection with every student. I want them to know that I

know who they are, and that I care about them and about what’s going

on in their lives. While I know I will get to that point eventually (and am

quickly making progress), it’s taking longer than I had first expected.

Who is your biggest role model and why?

I’ve always struggled to identify a single person as the biggest role model

in my life. Every person who has touched my life has left their mark, and I

carry their lessons with me. My high school choir and orchestra teachers

showed me that being a music teacher is about more than just music, and

that the best teachers are the ones who genuinely care for their students

and aren’t afraid to make learning fun. My grandmother, perhaps the

most resilient person I know, has taught me the virtues of perseverance

and “making lemons out of lemonade.” My mother, who is a whiz at

planning, logistics, and all things strategy, has set a phenomenal example

for me as a problem-solver, especially in college and during my transition

into the teaching profession. My father, a deep thinker and talented

speaker, has never stopped pushing me to grow as a communicator. I owe

my passion for justice and my deep caring for my students to him. I am so

thankful for all the mentors, friends, and loved ones who have helped

shape me into the person I am today.

Tell us about some of your music related accomplishments. 

Throughout high school, I had the opportunity to perform in several

honor choirs, chamber groups, and solo contests. I was also a member of

the Minnesota All-State Choir in my junior and senior years. In college, I

served as assistant conductor for the St. Olaf Chapel Choir and co-led a

performance by that choir in a local community celebration for Asian

American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. I have also performed as a

vocal soloist.

How do you spend your free time?

My go-to free time activity is finding a cozy spot and burying myself in a

good book. I have been known to spend 8+ hours reading nonstop, once

I’ve been hooked by whatever it is that I’m reading. When I’m not

reading, I love to sail and swim in the summer, and ski downhill in the

winter. I’m also a big Star Wars fan, and have re-watched the entire

Andor series at least four times by this point.

What are your goals for your program as you begin your teaching

career?

I think my biggest goal is to help my student realize that they already

have everything they need to be great musicians. One of the coolest

things about singing is the fact that all you need is your voice and a little

bit of courage. There is simply nothing better for the body, mind, or spirit

than singing, and it is infectious. I want to help my students find that joy,

and give them the foundational knowledge of music they need to pursue

it. Once that foundation is built, literally nothing can stop them from

growing, even if choir isn’t in the cards for them down the road. They will

keep singing no matter what, and a life spent singing is a life well-lived.