photo (bottom) by ZAUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

I am a proud New Jersey native, with a lifelong curiosity and fascination about the human voice. While studying U.S. History and Classical Vocal Performance at the University of Delaware, I happened to take an acting class with Catherine Fitzmaurice, founder of the revolutionary Fitzmaurice Voicework.® Catherine was my professor and mentor who guided me to pursue my M.F.A. in Acting at the University of California, Irvine. While at Irvine, I studied her work with Joan Melton and Dudley Knight, Fitzmaurice Voice teacher and co-founder of Knight-Thompson Speechwork.

After receiving my Masters degree, I performed as an actor and singer for several years, which earned my memberships in AEA and SAG-AFTRA, and provided invaluable experiences that contributed to my pedagogy. 

I loved performing, but my true love has always been teaching. After a training program spanning 2005-2006, I became certified in Fitzmaurice Voicework® and am a Lead Trainer with the Fitzmaurice Institute. I am also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Voice and Speech at Loyola Marymount University, professional coach, and co-author of Lessons from Our Students: Meditations on Performance Pedagogy (2023, Routledge.)

I reside in Los Angeles with my very vocal and hypoallergenic Siberian Forest Cat, Mina.