A Texan-turned-Louisianan boy mom that will sing for dollars, consult for pennies, and organize for wine because I love enriching my community and experiencing a finished product… and wine makes most things better.

I first made the trip from Dallas to Baton Rouge to earn my Bachelor of Music and Minor in Political Science from Louisiana State University. While performing a children’s opera in a nearby Elementary School, I witnessed the educational inequities that exist(ed) in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. This experience led me to apply for Teach for America where I was selected for the Charter Corp. in the Southwest Ohio Region. I taught Pre-K in a Head Start School System, developed a backbone, perfected the operatic version of the “ABC’s”, and made lasting relationships. While I remained passionate about educational equality, it was clear that classroom teaching was not my calling, and I applied to Graduate School. I landed a spot at my dream school, the University of Michigan and moved to Ann Arbor to hone my operatic skills for two wintery blissful years while working with the incredible University Musical Society. 

How does one then combine their musical and educational passions without being in the classroom? I started singing in the Detroit Opera Chorus and was so spoiled by my first opera with them, the iconic "Carmen" by Bizet. It was- to this day- one of my favorite musical experiences. While at the Opera House, I got to know the legendary tenor, Richard Leech, and started working under his leadership in the Community Programs department, taking Children's Operas on the road around the state of Michigan and supporting the Resident Artist Program. While there, I launched the OperaTeens program and continued to grow my leadership skills. Even though I fell in love with Detroit, the winters were too cold, and the city was too far from LSU football, so when the opportunity arose to work in the arts in Baton Rouge, I jumped on it! Back to BR I went to be the Associate Director of Opéra Louisiane where I really did have to be a jack of all trades; donor engagement, event planning, grant writing, educational outreach, office management, ticketing, and a little bit of opera, of course - you name it, I did it. I gained so many important skills and treasured relationships, but the burnout was swift.

That was the first moment that I thought that maybe the 9-5(+) work grind was not for me, but another offer arrived that I felt compelled to explore. I began managing events and moved into a Public and Donor Relations position. I navigated donor engagement and fundraising through the thick of the Covid-19 crisis followed by the public launch of a groundbreaking Capital Campaign. During this time, I also birthed two baby boys, and it became increasingly apparent that having two little ones while meeting the demands of a full-time nonprofit job was...well, difficult. I know that women do it, and they are truly WONDER WOMEN, my own mother included, but it wasn't right for me. So, I launched my organization business (I have always loved to organize any and everything at the homes of friends and family since I was very young)! While busy with organization clients, I had the opportunity to consult with some of my favorite local nonprofits and just couldn't stop. I guess you could say, I love a project?