Featured Dec 2024
I joined the VSA in January 2017 and played my first concert that February. I started learning violin from my mom at age 7, though I had gaps in playing. In high school, I took a break but returned to the
orchestra in my senior year. At college (CSU in Fort Collins), I was hesitant to audition for the orchestra, but my boyfriend (now husband) convinced me that it wouldn’t hurt. I got in and received lessons!
After college, I didn’t play for 18 years due to family and work. Born and raised in Boulder, I moved to Delta in 2005 with my husband, Toby. We now work together with his mom at Raymond James Financial Services, where he’s a financial advisor.
Music has always been a big part of my family—my parents are musicians, most of my siblings play instruments or sing, my husband is an incredible saxophone player and band director, and all four of our kids play instruments, too. During COVID, I reconnected with my mom for weekly FaceTime violin lessons.
As a kid, I wanted to quit violin, but my parents didn’t let me until they were sure I was good enough to return to it later. I’m glad they did! Playing with others is much more fun than practicing alone, and having a performance to prepare for pushes me to improve. The better I get, the more enjoyable playing becomes. It's a satisfying cycle.
In my spare time, I enjoy crochet, knitting, and photography. Fun fact: in the late 1800s my ancestors moved to Colorado from Scotland, and we’re related to William Wallace (Braveheart)!