Hometown: Pierre, SD

Education: In December 2016, I graduated from the University of Mary with a B.S. in Music Education and minors in Special Education and Catholic Studies. Last summer I also completed my Level 1 Orff Schulwerk certification, which is an elementary music method that encourages student creativity in the classroom especially through creative movement and instruments.

Teaching⁄Work Experience: This will be my first official teaching position! Since high school, I have enjoyed working with kids in various capacities though, especially as a dance and piano instructor. For two summers I served as a Totus Tuus team member in the diocese of Rapid City, SD, teaching the faith through fun camp activities to hundreds of kids throughout West River SD. Since living in Bismarck, I have continued to teach in the fine arts. I was a substitute teacher at numerous schools in both public and private school systems in the area last semester. I taught pre-ballet and creative movement at Northern Plains Dance and piano as a private instructor. Then last spring/this summer I have been trying out my skills at choreography with my first show being the University of Mary's 2017 production of Fiddler on the Roof. This summer I have worked on the choreography for a number of Sleepy Hollow's productions including the elementary theater review, Rising Stars, and Hairspray.

Family: I live by myself now, but my parents and youngest brother are still back in Pierre. My other two younger brothers are at college, one in Iowa and one at University of Mary.

Interests:  I love dancing, biking, kayaking, and hiking.