In my youth, I took many years of classes and was inspired by my teacher, director and composer, Deborah Rae Thompson, By 14 I was put in private vocal lessons and began writing lyrics and playing playing in my own garage bands. I was introduced to Jazz at an early age by my Stepfather, Banjo player, Carl Lunsford (Turk Murphy). At 15 I would take a bus into the city and sneak in to the Gold Dust Lounge to sit in and sing a few numbers with his Traditional Jazz band.

I sang lead and backup with multiple bands throughout my 20s before forming and fronting the Mt. Tam Blues Band. I was also a featured solo vocalist and alto singer with the Lighthouse Singers of Marin, an interfaith community choir performing contemporary and traditional black gospel music, directed by Deborah Rae Thomson and the late Dr. Helen J. H. Stephens. In addition, I ran the Mt. Tam Blues Jam on Sundays at 19 Broadway for a number of years. I was also a founding member of the Sun Valley Divas, a group of mothers that would gather to sing and harmonize monthly. The Junior Diva’s was then formed as an offspring of that and I met with a group of girl singers, helping them to find their own voice and feel comfortable singing in front of an audience. For six years years I sang R&B with the popular 9 piece James Moseley Band as a lead and backing vocalist, specializing in harmonies and dance choreography. I also spent the last nine years singing lead in the Bait & Switch Blues band with Bandwork’s own Jeremy Steinkoler and Steve Gibson. In addition to singing, I also play a little bass and have studied many styles of dance including Bellydance, Hip-Hop and Latin dance. I also do voice over for commercials and jingles on the side for fun. I love singing with others and help other singers find their own unique voice and feel comfortable sharing it onstage.