Beginnings…

Performing and the arts have been a part of my life since I can remember from early dance and piano recitals, to my first theatrical roles to singing in concert and with bands. When I combined the countless hours I spent in the basement at my childhood house singing with Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, big bands and the beautiful vocals of Julie Andrews, practicing in the living room with my dog in tow and add in the many local gigs as lead singer with a band, and civic, school and church productions and events… it was an easy decision; I knew that I wanted to be a singer and musician.

Into the World of Jazz

I graduated with my Bachelor of Music in Applied Voice from Northwestern University School of Music where I focused on classical training. During my senior year, I was cast in a professional nightclub review in downtown Chicago where the music director, musicians and opening act were all jazzers. I had been previously introduced to the genre through Ella and many other great singers growing up. However, it was with the guidance of that music director that I set out to crossover into the world of jazz!

Performance Life

Since that foray in to jazz I went on to appear in numerous nightclubs and jazz clubs, private events, concerts, and major hotels and other venues including:

• Singing a cabaret/jazz set all in French for the VIP grand opening of the Paris Casino, Las Vegas,
• Performing a jazz-oriented spiritual concert at the Crystal Cathedral,
• Opening for Joan Rivers at Carlos N’ Charlies,
• Several “themed” concerts with Bob Ralston of the Lawrence Welk Show,
• Copious hours singing and playing in piano lounges/bars.

I’ve also done many performances (including billed) at some of the top jazz clubs in the nation:

• The Playboy Club in Chicago
• Dazzle’s in Denver
• The Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood