Education & Background
Initially trained as a classical violinist, my current passions include Southern Old-Time, Irish, French-Canadian Fiddle music and Klezmer. In June 2011, I became the first teacher in Washington State to be certified in the Mark O'Connor Violin Method, a developmental curriculum of American folk music for students of all levels. A frequent studio recording musician, I also perform locally and tour regionally with various ensembles. Please visit the "Music" page for more information.
Teaching Approach
In my lessons I offer personalized instruction according to the needs and desires of the student. My teaching philosophy centers around the idea that traditional violin-based folk music ("fiddle") can be used as a tool to learn and refine the techniques required to play the violin.
I believe learning to play the violin can be a rewarding, intuitive and maintainable experience for a person of any age, and that no prior musical experience is necessary. I welcome beginning and intermediate students at my studio in downtown Olympia. I am also available as a coach for students of orchestra and string ensembles.
My teaching methods include: The Mark O'Connor Violin Method, Playing by Ear, Reading Music, Suzuki Method, Improvisation Techniques. I hold a degree in Pedagogy: Education and Teaching Methods, from the Evergreen State College (2003).

Training/Seminars
- Violon Trad Quebec (French-Canadian Fiddle Styles) Workshop - St. Come, Quebec (July 2012)
- Mastery of the Scottish Arts Workshop - Seabeck, WA (January 2012)
- Mark O'Connor Violin Method - Johnson City, TN (June 2011)
- Alasdair Fraser's Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School - Santa Cruz, CA (2011)
- Festival of American Fiddle Tunes - Port Townsend, WA (2007-2010, 2019-2020)
Certifications and Awards
KlezKanada (Quebec) - Scholarship Recipient (2012)
Celtic Arts Foundation - Winter School - Scholarship Recipient (2012)
Williamson Foundation for Music - Fellowship Recipient (2011)
American Festival of Fiddle Tunes - Scholarship Recipient (2007-2009, 2019-2020)

Education & Background
Initially trained as a classical violinist, my current passions include Southern Old-Time, Irish, French-Canadian Fiddle music and Klezmer. In June 2011, I became the first teacher in Washington State to be certified in the Mark O'Connor Violin Method, a developmental curriculum of American folk music for students of all levels. A frequent studio recording musician, I also perform locally and tour regionally with various ensembles. Please visit the "Music" page for more information.
Teaching Approach
In my lessons I offer personalized instruction according to the needs and desires of the student. My teaching philosophy centers around the idea that traditional violin-based folk music ("fiddle") can be used as a tool to learn and refine the techniques required to play the violin.
I believe learning to play the violin can be a rewarding, intuitive and maintainable experience for a person of any age, and that no prior musical experience is necessary. I welcome beginning and intermediate students at my studio in downtown Olympia. I am also available as a coach for students of orchestra and string ensembles.
My teaching methods include: The Mark O'Connor Violin Method, Playing by Ear, Reading Music, Suzuki Method, Improvisation Techniques. I hold a degree in Pedagogy: Education and Teaching Methods, from the Evergreen State College (2003).
Training/Seminars
- Violon Trad Quebec (French-Canadian Fiddle Styles) Workshop - St. Come, Quebec (July 2012)
- Mastery of the Scottish Arts Workshop - Seabeck, WA (January 2012)
- Mark O'Connor Violin Method - Johnson City, TN (June 2011)
- Alasdair Fraser's Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School - Santa Cruz, CA (2011)
- Festival of American Fiddle Tunes - Port Townsend, WA (2007-2010, 2019-2020)
Certifications and Awards
KlezKanada (Quebec) - Scholarship Recipient (2012)
Celtic Arts Foundation - Winter School - Scholarship Recipient (2012)
Williamson Foundation for Music - Fellowship Recipient (2011)
American Festival of Fiddle Tunes - Scholarship Recipient (2007-2009, 2019-2020)

Education & Background
Initially trained as a classical violinist, my current passions include Southern Old-Time, Irish, French-Canadian Fiddle music and Klezmer. In June 2011, I became the first teacher in Washington State to be certified in the Mark O'Connor Violin Method, a developmental curriculum of American folk music for students of all levels. A frequent studio recording musician, I also perform locally and tour regionally with various ensembles. Please visit the "Music" page for more information.
Teaching Approach
In my lessons I offer personalized instruction according to the needs and desires of the student. My teaching philosophy centers around the idea that traditional violin-based folk music ("fiddle") can be used as a tool to learn and refine the techniques required to play the violin.
I believe learning to play the violin can be a rewarding, intuitive and maintainable experience for a person of any age, and that no prior musical experience is necessary. I welcome beginning and intermediate students at my studio in downtown Olympia. I am also available as a coach for students of orchestra and string ensembles.
My teaching methods include: The Mark O'Connor Violin Method, Playing by Ear, Reading Music, Suzuki Method, Improvisation Techniques. I hold a degree in Pedagogy: Education and Teaching Methods, from the Evergreen State College (2003).
Training/Seminars
- Violon Trad Quebec (French-Canadian Fiddle Styles) Workshop - St. Come, Quebec (July 2012)
- Mastery of the Scottish Arts Workshop - Seabeck, WA (January 2012)
- Mark O'Connor Violin Method - Johnson City, TN (June 2011)
- Alasdair Fraser's Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School - Santa Cruz, CA (2011)
- Festival of American Fiddle Tunes - Port Townsend, WA (2007-2010, 2019-2020)
Certifications and Awards
KlezKanada (Quebec) - Scholarship Recipient (2012)
Celtic Arts Foundation - Winter School - Scholarship Recipient (2012)
Williamson Foundation for Music - Fellowship Recipient (2011)
American Festival of Fiddle Tunes - Scholarship Recipient (2007-2009, 2019-2020)