Singing the national anthem at first grade school assemblies is not the way most singers start their careers, but it is exactly the way mine began. When I turned nine, however, I took a break from singing and studied classical flute - until one day in college when I heard Ella Fitzgerald sing...I'm originally from Portland, Maine, and spent my early career touring throughout New England. I play guitar, flute, and piano, and have sung internationally in nightclubs, concert halls, television, and radio in the classical, folk, and jazz idioms. After getting degrees in jazz and theatre at the University of Maine, I taught at UMaine's Augusta campus for eight years, and I'm still a clinician and adjudicator for high school and college jazz programs.I was honored in 1987 by the University of Massachusetts with a Jazz in July scholarship to study with renowned jazz vocalist, Sheila Jordan. Our association led to my appearance at the Bright Moments Jazz Festival in Amherst, as well as to my own public television special, which was syndicated throughout the United States.Also in 1987, I was invited to join the internationally renowned vocal jazz group, The Ritz. This relationship led to four recordings for the Denon label and numerous appearances at many of the world's most notable venues and jazz festivals. On the group's cd, "Almost Blue," I had the good fortune to be producer as well.Since moving to New York City in 1989, I've been honored to perform with many celebrated jazz musicians including Doc Cheatham, Grady Tate, Frank Wess, Harvie Swartz, Victor Gaskin, and Gene Perla, and I've toured the East Coast with acclaimed Chicago blues guitarist, David Bromberg. After a long collaboration, The Ritz disbanded in 1995, but in 1999 was entered into the Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz!In 1996 I was awarded the University of Maine Distinguished Achievement Award for Alumni and was delighted to speak at the University's 28th commencement exercises!The press has said of me: ..."versatility," "technical control," "delicacy of articulation," "poetic sensitivity," and "adventurous scat singing" are just some of the terms used to describe her. "Hear for yourself why listeners around the world have said "she made the whole audience take notice, this woman can really sing!"
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