Creativity isn't just what I do. It's the lens from which I’ve always viewed the world. Endless "why nots" and joyful curiosities have led me to explore diverse methods of artistic expression (like music, writing, dance, and functional arts) while building my passion for infusing traditional settings and mindsets with a fresh creative approach.

My experiences have shaped the music I share, the words I write, and the inspirations I offer, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that creativity and passion is not enough to sustain an ongoing business, build repeat customers, and earn five-star reviews.

If you’ve ever experienced frustration trying to find the right providers for your events or projects who are also responsive, honest, reliable, and deliver to (or exceed) your expectations, I empathize with you.

I’ve had many of the same problems as a consumer, which has made it even more important for me to merge passion, creativity, and good business practices. Clients come to me looking for unique ideas to help them celebrate special occasions, find the right ambience for their events, improve their lives through motivation and inspiration, or even realize their own creativity.

I grew up in a modest Detroit household with Mom and Dad, my older sister, and younger brother. Though we weren’t wealthy, our home was rich with the sounds of music. We all enjoyed our family’s eclectic album collections, listening to genres from kids to classical, ethnic to Broadway, folk to comedy, and decades of pop music, along with radio hits of the day.

We were always singing. Dad kept us engaged and entertained with harmonious extended-family sing-alongs, leading with his perfectly pitched voice after family dinners and during holiday gatherings. Around the house, we’d participate in strategic board and card games. Our long car rides were filled with family word games and Dad’s spontaneous creative storytelling as we tried to stump him with unique, unrelated objects to include in his stories. Mom was the visual creative around the house, great at design, presentation, and aesthetics, whether in home décor, wardrobe selections, baking, or party table settings.

Learning more about the arts and problem solving through creative play than formal instruction laid the groundwork for my lifelong love of (and connection to) the arts in general, with music remaining an integral piece of my heart and soul. Grandma Paula (my musical alter-ego entertainer who works with young children) continues to carry on that creative music and “learning-through-play” tradition.

Multiple pivotal moments from my pre-teens through teen years shaped me into who I am today.

I was always terrible at sports growing up, but from ages 11 through 14, my body found its way using rhythm and musicality in ballroom dancing. I earned several learning level medals and even placed during a ballroom Tango contest! I still love to dance when a willing partner is available, or alone – when the music moves me. Recognizing abilities and skills, then transferring them to different niches in life and business has served me well, and adds a layer of inspirational value I can lend to my peers and clients.

When I was 15, I experimented with cloisonne enameling in our public-school art class, leading me into young entrepreneurship. After winning a Scholastics award on my first project that year, I purchased a kiln to create and sell custom-designed cloisonne enameling on copper.

I also taught myself how to play guitar at 15, and by 17, started playing piano by ear, both of which allowed me to self-accompany my singing. Being self-contained as a solo vocalist/musician now serves my music clients with higher reliability (fewer working parts), better use of event space (compact set ups), and considerate sound.

During my final two years of high school, I worked at a family-owned grocery store. Often left alone in the store while my employers tended to outside business tasks, I managed the cash register, priced goods, stocked shelves, arranged produce displays, served customers, and carried out other duties as needed. I loved being trusted to do the job and feeling a sense of “ownership” towards the success of that business. Enjoying and earning client trust while collaborating with experience and skill, helps me communicate and implement new ideas now.

During my college years as an occupation therapy student, I worked part-time in the special education school on campus. Many of the children there had cerebral palsy. Watching and interacting with them solidified my thoughts about accepting differences and seeing value in each unique being. The kids showed me so many ways they learned to complete tasks and communicate. Non-verbal kids joked as easily as the verbal kids, even though they expressed themselves differently. When hand muscles were too tight to grip a sandwich and guide it to their mouths, a sandwich holder with an extended handle did the job. With assistance, wheelchair bound children learned to walk upright using their chairs as walkers while they stood behind holding the chair’s handles. Toes could be great for lifting and manipulating objects when fingers wouldn’t do.

These kids inspired me daily to keep an open mind and see more possibilities. I bring that mental attitude and process to my clients when they need solutions.

In transitioning from general experience to active business, how could I resist doing what I loved most? When a fellow Occupational Therapy student asked me to sing at his church wedding, my success that day prompted the church priest to invite me back repeatedly to sing at more wedding ceremonies. I embraced that opportunity and subsequent ones, which led me to the present, from steppingstone to steppingstone (weddings to military clubs, hotel circuits to corporate events, solo performer to booking agent, senior activities to preschools). Along the way, I’ve explored many different projects, acquired and maintained repeat clients, achieved wonderful written references and many 5-Star reviews.

I currently live in Raleigh, North Carolina, with my husband, Marc. Aside from my creative business activities, I enjoy spending time with other family members, taking walks with friends outdoors, snapping photos of interesting objects and scenes, writing, attending water aerobics and line dance classes at my health club, cooking healthy foods, networking with / supporting / and mentoring my peers in the arts, playing strategy games and cards on apps (when live humans aren’t available to play), working puzzles, listening to audio books, and watching good movies.

Now, my everyday arts entrepreneurship compliments, fulfills, and completes me.

Let’s embark on a similar collaborative journey which elevates beyond standard routine. Allow me to assist your event or project planning with unique creative solutions, inspire and motivate you through creative exploration, and engage your teammates with creative activities. My diverse skillset allows me to offer a range of services tailored to your specific needs.

To truly understand the value I might bring to your project or event, I invite you to explore the various services I offer, see the positive feedback from past clients, and view examples of my creative endeavors on the other pages of my website. I welcome connection, discussion, and exploration of creative possibilities!

Please reach out!