I knew I wanted to perform as early as 7 years old. It was the feeling of connecting with people that first got me hooked. That thought still drives me to remember why I perform. To reach people. People who are just like me with moments of triumph and times of sadness. I continued performing in my youth with dance classes, voice lessons, and theatre productions. In 1991, I entered Syracuse University's Musical Theatre program and received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1995. A few years later, my life started to go in a down hill spiral. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (a degenerative disease of the central nervous system for which there is no cure) and lost my ambition. After a few years of denial about my disease, I decided that I was not going to give up my dreams just because of my diagnosis. I decided to use my lifetime of performance training to make a difference in the lives of others who are forced to deal with adversity. I found my purpose and my passion BECAUSE of my MS. In 2004 I started a new role as an MS Ambassador and it is one of the most rewarding of all the parts I have played. I get to travel the country speaking and singing for others who are affected by the disease. I've also had the honor to be invited to perform at several events for the National Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society from NY to Alabama. I believe that music heals the human spirit!When I started writing my music, I had no idea how vulnerable it would make me feel. I had spent my earlier years in theatre where I could transform into a character and there was a certain safety in that. Now, I am standing in front of an audience as myself and sharing my inner most thoughts and feelings to the world and that is a little SCARY! But I love what I do!
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