Welcome to the Mendive Middle School Band!  I am the director of bands at Mendive Middle School, and I am very excited to meet and work with all of you this upcoming school year!  I have a strong passion for music and greatly enjoy creating a positive environment that fosters student learning through band! 

I am from the Las Vegas/Henderson area and taught in the Clark County School District (CCSD) for over 6 years.  During my time teaching, I saw the incredible impact that music education provides to students.  My own music education began in CCSD during the 6th grade when I learned how to play the trumpet in middle school band.  I was able to participate in Honor Band, Solo & Ensemble, Honor Jazz Band, All-State Band, All-State Jazz Band, music competitions, and an inaugural parade.  I have been lucky to be able to be given opportunities to perform in Italy, the Birdland Jazz Club in NY, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and many local and national marching band competitions all while I was a band student in public school.  

I have an undergraduate degree in Music Education from UNLV and a master’s degree in Education Administration from SNC.  I was able to pay for much of college through a music scholarship and was able to perform with the UNLV Wind Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, Jazz Ensembles, Symphonic Orchestra, Brass Ensembles, and Jazz Combos.  While in college I performed with the Desert Winds including a performance at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. 

I am glad to be in Reno and am eager to teach here at Mendive MS and to work with our wonderful students!