In early 2004, I moved to Princeton from Cincinnati to begin working as a librarian at Princeton University. Since moving to Princeton, I've been performing fairly regularly. I've performed with the New York Repertory Orchestra, the Delaware Valley Philharmonic, the Manalapan Battleground Symphony, and the Edison Symphony Orchestra. I've also played backup for various artists like Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville, Clay Aiken, LeAnn Rimes, k.d. lang, Smokey Robinson, Ann Jillian, and Anne Murray.
Before moving to Princeton, I performed pretty extensively as a freelance cellist in and around Cincinnati. During some of that time, I was also principal cellist of the Mantovani Orchestra (a touring orchestra based in Florida) for several of its domestic and Asian tours.
While in Cincinnati, I was a member of the Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra, the Blue Ash Symphony, plus I was a member of three string quartets that freelanced in Cincinnati and surrounding areas. I also worked some as an extra with the Cincinnati Symphony, Opera, and Pops orchestras.
For several years I was THE cellist for all of the touring Broadway shows when they picked up local string players in Cincinnati. The last show I played before moving to Princeton was a 9-week run of The Lion King. I also played Aida, Annie, Cinderella, Evita, Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, Peter Pan, The Producers, Ragtime, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Titanic, and Victor/Victoria. Other shows I played in Cincinnati include Sweeney Todd and A Little Night Music.
While in Cincinnati, I also played in many of the "pick up" orchestras when various artists/acts came to town (e.g., Sarah Brightman, The Chieftains, Marvin Hamlisch, Barry Manilow, The Moody Blues, Luciano Pavarotti, Doc Severinsen, Mannheim Steamroller, and Yanni ... to name a few).
How it all started...
I began playing the cello when I was 10. When the sixth grade orchestra visited my fifth grade class to recruit, we all wanted to play the double bass. There were too many of us, so I chose the next largest instrument. No lifelong passion for the cello - I just wanted something BIG!
I played in junior high and high school and won many awards. I majored in music performance and earned a bachelor of music degree from Southern Methodist University, where I studied with Lev Aronson, who also taught Lynn Harrell and Ralph Kirschbaum.
I haven't given up on bass, though!
In addition to playing the cello, I'm an "aspiring" electric bass player (the operative word being "aspiring"). A couple of years ago, I purchased a 5-string Fender P Bass, and if I can play (however poorly) along with James Jamerson on "How Sweet It Is" before I die, I'll be a happy camper!
What I listen to...
My taste in music runs the gamut from classical to folk, all the way over to hip-hop and jazz. I recently joined last.fm - please visit me there!