About me

I am from rural Illinois, a farm town called Winnebago. I began singing and acting professionally at the age of 8. I also competed in soccer and basketball. Being from a rural community, I have a great appreciation for and relationship with nature. I canoed and hiked often growing up.

The top priority in my family was education. I attended a rigorous college prep school where I studied French and Latin, among other subjects. At 16, I left home to attend the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy where I studied acting and singing. After Interlochen, I attended the BFA acting conservatory at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers.

I grew up teaching children of all ages in local theatre camps. During one of my college summers I worked for the department of therapeutic recreation at the Rockford Park District in Rockford, IL. This park district is exemplary and has won the gold medal for Park District Services in the country.

The goal of therapeutic recreation is to ensure that every child, no matter what developmental or physical challenges they face, can enjoy summer programs. Each week we were assigned a different child to work with one on one in a new environment. Each child had totally differing needs and as such you were forced to learn quickly how to best assist them and make the environment and activities enjoyable for them. I worked with mainly young boys aged 5 - 15. Several were on the autism spectrum while others struggled with anger management, Down Syndrome, low muscle tone, ADHD, Tourette's syndrome and hearing loss.

Through this work, I gained my most profound insight into the incredible delicacy and significance of childcare. One of the campers I worked with was on the autism spectrum, was non verbal and knew no sign language. He was ten and weighed about 175 pounds. He would get furious and violent when he wanted something but could not ask for it. He would often try to hurt me or, if all else failed, he would just take off all of his clothes. This was a huge challenge for me both in terms of patience and communication as well as generosity. No matter how upsetting it can be, you are always the adult and always in control. Every child deserves love, understanding, and patience, regardless of how difficult the situation may be. Maintaining structure and safety is of vital importance while simultaneously allowing for flexibility and understanding.

Having grown up in the theatre (and in rural Illinois with no tv), I am very interested in imaginative play and allowing freedom to discover one's self. I believe in asking questions, not giving answers. Besides my theatrical education, I grew up in a strictly academic household and attended a serious college prep school prior to boarding school where I studied French and Latin among other subjects.

I have worked pretty exclusively as of late with the 2 - 5 age group. As such, I have a rich understanding of the needs of this age. Too young to piece together consequences and cause and effect, but old enough to understand the loss of love and warmth-- this age group needs unconditional understanding, patience, love, affection, and space to learn and grow.

I have a drivers license and US passport and am comfortable with traveling, household chores, and basic meal prep.