About Me

I have a degree in French literature from the University of Minnesota and education in music theory and Suzuki pedagogy from San Francisco State University where I studied with Walter Haderer, credited with bringing the Suzuki program to the United States. Other principal teachers were Alice Schoenfeld of USC, Andor Toth of Stanford University, and Jorja Fleezanis and Zoya Leybin, both of the San Francisco Symphony.

For 20 years I was a member of the first violin section of the San Jose Symphony and the follow-up orchestra, Silicon Valley Symphony. I also played with other orchestras and chamber groups in the Bay Area. Playing with 90 other musicians and learning music in four rehearsals gave me a skill set not attainable elsewhere, helped me build an extensive library of orchestra music, and allowed me to coach youth orchestras.

I have a Certificate in Professional Editing from UC Berkeley. I have taught high school English and French, edited for non-profits, businesses, and coached writing and college essays for a college counseling service.