Joy-bringer.
I believe in defiant joy – a joy that isn’t wrapped in saccharine and bows (although glitter and unicorns are always welcome). Defiant joy is a joy the exists in the dark night of the soul and in the valley of the shadow of death. Defiant joy is resilient in the face of fear and steadfast in the onslaught of negativity. Defiant joy is based in a deep abiding faith in a power greater than the forces of this earthly realm.

Truth-seeker.
Truth is my north star, my compass, my guiding light. Ephesians 4:15 prompts us to “speak the truth in love.” This is my life’s mantra. If everything we do is done truthfully, built on a foundation of love, we cannot go wrong.

Space-holder.
People need to be heard and seen. We have an epidemic of loneliness in the world. People have traded the counterfeit of virtual interactions for the truth of presence, and we are paying the price as a society. I consider it my sacred privilege to hold space for people. To see them, to hear them, to love them unconditionally.

Tribe-builder.
Community is the whole reason we are here on this earth. As Ram Dass said, we are all just walking each other home. We must build intentional circles of support and love around us, to rejoice with us in the good times and to hold our hands through the hard times. Without other people, life begins to lose meaning. Without other people, we cannot serve, and we cannot be helped. I am committed to helping people find their people and build their tribes.

I am a wounded survivor of multiple church splits from my childhood. These tragedies taught me the importance of integrity and community, and these experiences motivate me to do whatever it takes to keep intentional communities and congregations whole and healthy.

Way-maker.
Like many of us, I have travelled a long and circuitous road filled with joy and sorrow. These experiences have crystallized my purpose like a refiner’s fire. My journey has made me brave, clear, and resilient. I will not hesitate to take the scythe and forge into the thick of the underbrush to make a way for others. Are you hesitant? Afraid? Shy? Worried? That’s okay – we have all been there. I am happy to walk with you to help you find or create a clear, safe path forward. Everything is easier when you aren’t alone.

Influences
I think you can tell a lot about a person by who they read, listen to, and admire. I enjoy learning from the wisdom of the following teachers, preachers, philosophers, writers, prophets, and truth-tellers:

Richard Rohr	Sarah Blondin
Nadia Bolz-Weber	Tara Brach
Glennon Doyle	Dolores Cannon
Brene Brown	Rachel Held Evans
Anne Lamott	John Pavlovitz
Liz Gilbert	Diana Butler Bass
Rumi	Ram Dass
Deepak Chopra	Dante Stewart
Parker Palmer	Cole Arthur Riley
Thich Nhat Hanh	Alok Vaid-Menon

I am a classically-trained singer with a Master of Music in voice from Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins Institute. I taught voice and music theory at the University of Tampa and Valdosta State University. My teaching philosophy is based on the belief that correct vocal technique produces ease and joy in singing. If you sing correctly, you can sing beautifully. I believe that a singer who is hooked up to the emotional content of the music is infinitely more effective and enjoys singing more. Great technique + emotional connection = a fantastic performance!

I take great joy in putting on an entertaining show that will engage and delight from introduction to final ovation. I thoughtfully craft my shows to appeal to a wide variety of music-lovers, and I can oscillate between musical theatre, pop, jazz and opera. My goal is to create a memorable musical experience that leaves audiences smiling and singing on the way out of the show.

I am the choir director and a pastor at Wesley Oak Church. I am currently (gratefully and joyfully!) enrolled in seminary working towards my M.Div. at the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University. I am scheduled to graduate in 2027.