For as long as I can remember, music has always been my “thing”. My mother was an amateur violinist and pianist, my father played in a rock band, and I was the lucky recipient of those genes. I always felt comfortable when I played piano – maybe even too comfortable, as I argued with most of my teachers about interpretation and fingering choices from a very young age. My childhood teacher said to my mother, “She’ll be a conductor some day.” I remember thinking that she was wrong and that I had no interest in conducting. I’m sure you can already see how that plays out!

I joined my school band and the marching band with RCSCC Jervis Bay, playing percussion. In the summers I would take time off from piano, as I completed the Gunnery trade and worked as a Drill and Ceremonial Instructor, as well as Chief of Land Division at H.M.C.S. Quadra. The benefit of Gunnery was twofold – I missed making music, so I always came back to it in the fall with a refreshed yearning and desire; and, I learned so much about teamwork, leadership, self-discipline, and teaching that inevitable affected my teaching style today. I adored teaching drill and the highlight of my summer was always the preparation and execution of Ceremony of the Flags. A place where two of my favourite things – drill an music – combined to form one amazing experience? Sign me up! After a few summers away I experiences C of F’s once again, but from the music side as I worked as a CI Music Instructor in the music department.

I had a wonderful undergraduate education at the University of Saskatchewan. Remaining in Saskatoon allowed me to volunteer with the Jervis Bay band after I aged out of the program and while I focused on my studies. As I worked with the band and as I progressed through my yearly student teaching co-op experiences, I began to understand that my piano teacher was absolutely right – I love conducting, and I desperately wanted more of it. I moved to Atlanta, Georgia and began my graduate studies, working towards a masters degree in instrumental conducting at Georgia State University. The Canadian Learning Trust was fundamental to my success in this program, and as an international student I was so thankful for the financial support. Throughout my time in Atlanta I worked as an assistant band director at an inner-city charter school, and I was so fortunate to work as an assistant conductor with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra of Atlanta. Those experiences, alongside my teaching assistant duties and academic classes, truly affirmed my passion for teaching and conducting. Atlanta was a beautiful place and I studied with the most amazing teachers who I could never thank enough.

I moved back to Canada in 2018 after accepting a job as a middle school band director in Lloydminster, Alberta/Saskatchewan. I was excited to be closer to home and to teach at an established program. The student at my school were joyful, kind, and always ready to learn so it made my job remarkably easy. We had a great time together in class, in jazz band, and in drumline. When time allowed, we would go into the community and do mini-performances at places like nursing homes or craft fairs. We even played for the Saskatchewan Winter Games torch relay! Meanwhile, I got picked to play by the Edmonton Winds so every Thursday night I would drive 2.5 hours to Edmonton, Alberta for rehearsal, play, then drive 2.5 hours back to Lloydminster, often returning home quite late in the night. It was definitely worth it, through, as I got to make friends in a new community of musicians and music educators.

I kept in contact with my grad school colleagues via social media and by attending various conferences and workshops in the States. It became clear to me that even though I really loved my program in Lloydminster, I also really wanted to return to America and keep learning about band, music education, and conducting. I auditioned and was accepted to the Doctorate of Musical Arts program in conducting at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, and I was beyond thrilled to receive the news. I was waiting for the right moment to tell my student that I wouldn’t be returning the following year, as many of them were already asking about repertoire, the next year’s trips, etc. – but then COVID-19 hit and our world flipped upside down. Eventually, after we got into the groove of online learning, I told them over email and video chats. It was particularly heartbreaking as we knew we wouldn’t be able to see each other in person before I left. If only we had known that our rehearsals on March 13, 2020 would be our last time making music together!

I am now almost finished year on of three of the DMA program here at UMKC, and I have loved every minute of it. We’ve rehearsed and performed with small groups, socially distanced and in masks (instruments included!) in an outdoors setting. I’ve also had the unique opportunity to work via Zoom with a New Horizons community band, where the average age of the players is 65+. While the pandemic has certainly made things challenging, it has also made a whole generation of students and teachers more resilient, adaptable, and forward-thinking. There will, inevitable, be lots of re-building and work to do, particularly in the performing arts and vocational subjects where online learning simply cannot do them justice. I am hopeful for our world as we slowly re-open and work towards a new normal, and I look forward to the day we all get to make music together again!