My story is perhaps a bit different that most other musicians – my life took many detours before finally landing on a secure musical path. The piano has always been my passion — my earliest recollection was being in my Kindergarten class and watching in complete amazement how my teacher’s fingers created beautiful sounds by pressing down on white and black keys! I started taking piano lessons at the age of 7 and continued my private piano studies through adolescence and adulthood.

I had wanted so badly to major in music in college but, on the gentle insistence of my parents, pursued a more practical major that would insure steady employment. In 1987 I graduated from SDSU with a B.A. in Spanish and French, and in 1990 earned an M.A. in Spanish. I was hired right out of graduate school by the Spanish department at SDSU and began a 30-year teaching career there. I was also hired at Kaiser Permanente to work as a health educator and Spanish interpreter. As busy as I was, I was still involved in music on the side – I continued my private piano studies, performed at various functions, and was an accompanist at local young artist competitions. My career in Spanish was certainly beneficial, as it provided me the means to be able to raise two children on my own. Ultimately, though, I found my jobs unfulfilling, and they left me very little time to work on my music. My yearning to formally study piano at the university level became stronger as the years went by, and finally, a music teacher I knew at Grossmont College encouraged me to audition for the Master’s Program in Music at SDSU. I was accepted into the program in Spring of 2020! I opened my private piano studio that summer (thank goodness for virtual lessons on Zoom!) and soon after retired from my 30-year career in the Spanish Department. I am set to graduate in Spring 2022 with a Master of Music in Piano Performance. During my music studies at SDSU I have collaborated with renowned guitarist Fred Benedetti in recitals, played with the SDSU orchestra, performed in various piano masterclasses, worked with the SDSU opera, and have done vocal coaching in the music department. It is never too late to pursue your passion in life!