Music has always been an important part of my life. I grew up on a farm by Orient, SD with 4 brothers and a sister. I was actively involved in music and sports during my High School years at Faulkton High School. The love of Concert Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, and Choir, as well as softball, basketball, track, and 4H, helped drive my career choice. In 1982, I graduated from Dakota State College with a double major in Music and Physical Education.

My biggest blessing in life was the miracle birth of my goofy and amazingly talented daughter, Jamie. The Army has taken Jamie, her husband Ben, and my three amazing grandchildren, Dylan, Rylan, and Everly to many wonderful places that I have been blessed to visit. Even though these visits have all been wonderful, my favorite visit was to Hawaii where my love of the Ukulele grew. 

Watching students grow musically, academically, and socially are the greatest joys of my career. It is not always the stars of the show that shine brightest to me, it is the students who put their all into their performances that are the true heroes and superstars. 

At the end of the day when I go home, I am happily greeted by my snaggled tooth and deaf Pekinese dog Chewie who is so excited to have some long-awaited love and attention! 

Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything. Plato