I was born in Cincinnati, OH and our family moved around the Midwest and East until finally settling in the Chicago area as I began high school. From all accounts, I was a gregarious toddler and a challenge to my mother; perhaps you can guess I am the middle child.

I grew up in a very musical family; my father was a violinist (covering my classical music education), and my mother plays piano (covering my musical theater and popular music education). There was ALWAYS music playing in our house and car. Truthfully, the classical music made me car sick, but I loved to stand at the piano singing with my sister while my mom played piano, teaching us the songs of the turn of the 20th century! My older brother introduced me to the Beatles and various other popular artists from the 70’s, my favorite being Elton John, Carol King, and ELO!

I attended Northern Illinois University where I received a Bachelor’s degree in voice performance. This degree did very little to prepare me for the life of a professional musician! My dream was to be an international opera star. God had other plans.

I came to know Jesus in December of 1989, almost one year after the death of my father. The rest is history, as they say. God saw fit to deal with my musician ego issues, my lack of self-esteem, and the plans I had been holding onto for years. Consequently, He thought I’d be better using the gifts He gave me to serve in worship.

I met my husband Greg, and his daughter Emily in 1996. We became a family in 1997 and added to our happy bunch in 2002 with the birth of our daughter Madison. Greg serves in the worship ministry with me as a drummer. My daughters are precious jewels!

I cannot begin to express, though I try my best, my deep and sincere love for Jesus Christ, who literally has saved me from the pit. I am grateful for the opportunity He has given me to be a minister of light to the world but mostly I am grateful that He has given me a burden for musicians who struggle with perfectionism and the burden that comes with identifying self-worth with musical ability. Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ who has defeated the enemy and has freed us from every chain of bondage, bringing eternal healing in the wake of His powerful love!