I'm an Alaskan dance fiddler and songwriter playing my music to lift your spirits. Sweet and thoughtful songs ranging from silly to sad, Celtic to swing, expressing our shared experience.  A voice that smiles. 

 I come from a musical family who loved many styles of music.  Beginning classical violin at twelve, some adults told me that I’d never really play be able to play well because I started so late.  I proved those critics wrong.  In college, a very critical violin teacher made me feel like quitting, but since I loved playing the violin, I just quit lessons instead. I continued to play in orchestras, and then with friends who were drawn to folk music.  I love cheering people up by playing. 

Once after going to a folk concert, I came home and cried because performing was the path I wanted to be on, but I had no idea how to get there.  Several years later, the newspaper mentioned that a small bluegrass band was going to play at a film opening.  I got up my courage and asked them if they needed a fiddle player.  That’s how I joined the family band Welcome Home for several years, until I moved to Alaska. 

 I also started going to jam sessions to learn more music.  I hovered in the background, and played quietly until I was confident enough to join in. With some of those jam session friends, I came to Alaska for a vacation, and never moved back! 

Early on, I played in a number of bands beginning with The Open Road String Band, and then the Bering Sea Ramblers.  I’ve been in both the dance band Jubilee, and the singing group Wings to Fly for decades now.  I’ve also been producing a radio show of some sort for Anchorage public radio KSKA for decades as well.  It features the eclectic range of music that I love to hear and to play.  Over the years I evolved from bluegrass to more Celtic music, and other styles. 

I love to play music that inspires people, or makes them dance.  I’ve recorded three albums, and play on a number of other Alaskan albums as well.  Music has led me to adventures touring the state, and beyond, rafting the Grand Canyon with fellow musicians, playing at a fiddle camp on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, and helping inmates to write lullabies for their children. I love teaching children of all ages at several music camps year after year, including Alaska City Folk Arts camp. 

I’ve retired from being an orchestra and choir teacher, and now am focusing more on creating, and playing more music. 

Feel free to get in touch with me any time. Welcome to my website!