I’m a SoCal native who cannot imagine raising my daughters anywhere but by the ocean. My love for singing and performing for my local community at hometown places like Blue Beet and Balboa Wine is matched by my passion for teaching theater and mindfulness to the local kids in this community. I feel grateful everyday to live in this amazing place and get to do work that I truly love.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’m the youngest of two parents who still somehow make marriage look easy even after 52 years. I am raising two teenage daughters whom I hope will be as close to each other as my older sister and I have become over the years. They both attend NHHS and have grown up with the support of our little peninsula village, an experience I hope they’ll both value and cherish as uniquely special.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
After performing for much of my early career, I began to pursue an educational path, earning my degree in Theater, a credential in Music, and a master’s in Education. I’ve enjoyed teaching and performing theater and music for well over 35 years, but it wasn’t until my personal practice of mindfulness began to infiltrate my theater classes and lessons that I recognized the potential to offer something of greater value to my students and community. I created The Thoughtful Theater Program eight years ago and now I teach both the Play and the Pause; and the absolute best part of my job is knowing that these potential little seeds of mindfulness and self-compassion are being planted in these kids, all while they experience the simple joy and fun of theater that kids need these days to help stay balanced.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Great Mex, Hosum’s and the raviolis with pink Sauce from Mama D’s, yummm.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve loved and worked in our community for 12 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Sean Bolton, principle at NHHS. Met him briefly at a yoga class a while ago, but have now had the opportunity to witness over the years this down-to-earth, unassuming leader in our community who somehow navigates the expectations and demands of the parents and students with total eloquent compassion and steadfast resolve to make a positive impact on all those lives. His is a monumental task and yet I’ve brevet detected an ounce of hubris.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Anything Baz Luhrman creates and Steve Carrell in everything from the Office to the Way Way Back.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
“Between stimulus and response there is a space, and in that space is the power to choose” Viktor Frankl
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Tahoe, it is heaven on earth.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Goldie Hawn. She wrote the book Ten Mindful Minutes and it changed everything for me. I’d say we’d take Hosum salads out on a boat, haha.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The beautiful blend of people all living next to the same ocean.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Teaching my program and singing locally, wouldn’t change a thing.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I don’t like crispy, pointy french fries.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Crumbl cookies!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My daughters and my students.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, presence, ocean.
