I just started my journey from simple beginnings in Monmouth, IL, a rural community in northwestern Illinois. My father was a diligent factory worker, and my mother, a kind, compassionate elementary teacher, had no musical background. In this community, baton twirling was a major activity for young students. Little did I know it would help me later in life with the pageantry in my job! When the time came for me to start a band, I was excited and ready to play the flute! However, that’s not how it turned out. Like many, there is no sound if you don’t tilt the head joint to find the perfect spot to make a sound. Thus, they put an oboe before my face; the rest is history. Looking back, they may have planned this because my brilliant friends, Meeta and Julie, played oboe with me. My first week of practicing didn’t go the best because the oboe was broken the whole time, but once I got a new instrument, everything was on the up and up. I practiced enough to get by but should have given more time to it. Being in a small community, I did so many things, but only at an average level, not realizing there was more growth to be had. Due to my enthusiasm for band classes, the high school band director gave me a drum major position without an audition (to my surprise). I fell in love with this leadership opportunity and the energy of “band spirit.”
My “band spirit” became more developed through my involvement in the Smith Walbridge Drum Major Camps, led by Gary Smith, in Indiana. I was in Steve Steele’s band and had the chance to meet other students from the Midwest who loved band as much as I did.
Fast forward and I applied to music school at Illinois State University. I visited ISU during a typical week of college classes, getting an oboe lesson, visiting a band, talking to Dan Farris about marching band, and visiting with Steve Steele for a quick lesson. I told Dan Farris and Steve Steele I wanted to be a member of The Big Red Marching Machine, but I didn’t play a marching instrument, so I wanted to try out for drum major to gain experience. They both said they don’t usually take freshmen, and I responded I wanted to try out anyway. To the best of my ability, I did all portions of the audition, including an entire choreographed conducting routine (I believe I added baton work and a backflip). The next day, I received a personal call from Dan Farris, who said I was chosen for one of the drum major positions. I was shocked but very excited about this opportunity. When I got off the phone, I told my mother, who was so shocked she told me to call ISU back to ensure I hadn’t misheard.
Serving as a Drum Major as a freshman gave me several advantages as a music educator, such as working closely with directors and graduate students, gaining conducting experience, increased leadership opportunities, and growth in musicianship. Even though I was very involved in the marching band, I diligently practiced my oboe. At times, my applied teacher was frustrated with me due to my lack technique and limited ability to make reeds. I had to change my approach and work with fast determination. This work ethic has continued in me ever since.
My musical journey has made me who I am today. Compared to others, I didn’t have a strong musical background when I arrived at ISU. I didn’t realize it until I heard others, and I struggled with the collegiate band and orchestra music. However, I continued to work to catch up with my friends and the expectations of ISU.
After graduating from ISU, I spent my first four years in Unit 5 School District in Normal, IL, where I co-taught with several other experienced band directors, teaching all band levels. I had the opportunity to teach alongside Frank Payton, and to this day I always try to keep his band sound in my head. Along the way, I wanted to gain independent music teaching experience but could not land a job in the Chicago suburbs. With the guidance of Dan Farris, my life traveled to the Southern Illinois area, where, through the years, I taught at smaller programs. I had to be “in the trenches,” working long hours to improve the experience for kids by creating my resources.
In 2008, I started my journey at O’Fallon Township High School. All my years of experience figuring things out, a lot on my own, were made easier coming into this program, which had more resources and a tradition of excellence. Next year, I will be going into my 18th year as Director of Bands.
I would not have been able to live the life of a full-time band director without the assistance and support of my husband, Evan. I am fortunate he understands my dedication and drive to be “all the things” for kids. Between his judging and writing schedule and my school schedule, we can make our family work well. We both had simple beginnings in music and are proud of each other for our musical experiences and the positive difference we are making in the field.
We always believe the best is yet to come…so here we go!”
