How does one develop a calling in life? For me, formative musical experiences sculpted my identity as a singer, and I was called to pursue that truth on a learning journey that still continues.

I graduated with a BMus with Honours in Performance (Voice) from the University of Western Ontario, and obtained Postgraduate Diplomas in Opera and Concert Singing from the Royal College of Music in London, England.  

As an emerging artist I completed further postgraduate training at the Banff Centre for the Arts (Canada), The Franz Schubert Institut (Austria), and The Britten-Pears School for Advanced Musical Studies (England). My first professional contracts were with the Vancouver Opera Touring Ensemble and the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble. 

Over two decades my performing career has featured experience in a wide variety of musical genres. I have performed on national and international stages in operatic and musical theatre roles, and as a concert soloist and recitalist. I have made recordings with Naxos and CBC Records, and my live performances have been broadcast on the CBC, BBC and MDR (Germany).  

My first coaching contract was with the Canadian Company of Billy Elliot for Mirvish Productions in 2011. This career defining moment served as the perfect gateway into the vocation of teaching and coaching.  

Since 2014 my work as a teacher and coach has been anchored at The Stratford Festival of Canada where I am the resident singing coach for the musical and acting companies. During my ongoing tenure at North America’s leading repertory theatre, I have coached vocal music in 37 productions. Since 2016 I have also worked as the singing coach in the Birmingham Conservatory. This is an elite training programme for a nationally selected group of young artists at the Stratford Festival.

Since 2017 I have been a member of the voice faculty at Wilfrid Laurier University where I am a voice instructor in classical and contemporary vocal streams of study. I have a special interest in combining classical and CCM singing techniques in my work with young singers at the university level.

My work with theatre performers and practitioners has greatly influenced my teaching style and philosophy. Through this work in the professional coaching world I have witnessed many interesting parallels between the art of acting and singing. I am interested in incorporating ideas about text, sound, physicality and authenticity which I have gleaned from working with professional actors, into my work with singers. Likewise, much of my work as a singing coach for actors is built upon the benefits that singing brings to the speaking voice.