I was born and raised here in San Jose, graduating from Leigh High School. (Go Longhorns) High school band is where my passion for music really took hold. The combination of Art, Science, and, most of all, Teamwork really inspired me. My senior year in high school, some friends convniced me to go check out a rehearsal for this other "Drum Corps" thing they were doing - actually, I think they needed a ride.
I went to one rehearsal and was hooked. These guys were good! and everything they did was as together - exactly together. I instantly fell in love with the challenge - give me the biggest horn you got, and I'll throw it around like a trumpet! I marched with Santa Clara Vanguard for 4 years, and returned as an instructor for another 3. With SCV, I got the opportunity to travel all around the country, performing at middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities, and professional stadiums in 37 states. (We did a show in a corn field too, no kidding!)
All the while, I was going to college (West Valley College and on to San Jose State University) and studying Music Education. I graduated in 2001 from SJSU and was instantly teaching full time. After a few different teaching positions, I landed at Mt. Pleasant in the fall of 2005, receiving the news I got the job the day before we got married!
11 years (and two beautiful baby girls) later, I'm still thrilled to be in the position I'm in at the school I'm at. The kids at MP make every day a day that I'm glad to come to work.
- Now stop stalling and go memorize your scales! - How's E major coming?
