I'm the daughter of a church musician, so I grew up surrounded by music. I began playing the piano at age 8 and joined the band in 5th grade as a flutist. While I never quit playing the piano, I turned my attention and practice time over to the flute in junior high. I wanted to play in jazz band, so with the help of a friend I learned how to play the alto saxophone. This picture was taken in eighth grade, proudly wearing my Lundahl Junior High School uniform.
In high school my involvement in music grew. I played flute and piccolo in the concert band and orchestra. I played alto saxophone in the jazz and marching bands. I also became involved in playing in the pit orchestra at the Woodstock Opera House. I played Reed 1 (primarily flute, clarinet and alto saxophone) in every musical presented by the Woodstock Musical Theatre Company from my sophomore year in high school through early college. I had the great fun of playing everything from piccolo to bass clarinet, depending on what the score demanded. My senior year I finally realized my dream of learning a brass instrument. I played mellophone in the Heraldry Guard, Crystal Lake High School's summer competitive marching band.
