I am a strong believer in life-long, community music making, and I am energized by the prospect of beginning work with the Dubuque Chorale as I settle into my new home.

During my fifteen years conducting collegiate, public school, and community ensembles, I have refined my educational and performance philosophy: to nurture each person holistically through musical excellence and human compassion. My goal is to create a space where musicians feel comfortable taking risks as they develop their own artistry. My warm and constant motivational force has decreased ensemble attrition rates by honoring the delicate relationship among the music, conductors, musicians, individuals, and the ensemble. Addressing attrition is a critical first step toward both high-caliber performances and effective recruitment and outreach initiatives. When members discuss the quality of their musical and personal experiences, their enthusiasm is communicated both through the music and through the grapevine.

Whether I am working on a collaborative performance, leading a rehearsal, working with another conductor, or simply delegating a management task, I take great care to listen well, and to communicate clearly and kindly. Because I seek to open more hearts to choral music, I have worked in recent years to craft concerts pairing traditional choral music with complementary popular music selections, as well as concerts that use instrumental and vocal repertoire in a cohesive performance. I am confident that as a part of a long-term programming strategy, we would draw in new singers to the Chorale and grow the audience and supporter network.