My Story

I was born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

My mom owns a dance studio, so naturally as soon as I could walk, there were tap shoes on my feet. My mom’s business, Dance Express, is now a large multi-studio complex, but it started in the basement of our house!

I have many early childhood memories of putting on a record and dancing around by myself in our basement studio, creating ‘shows’.

When I was 12, my ballet teacher at the time encouraged me to do additional ballet training, so I started a half-day program where I would go to school until noon everyday, study ballet all afternoon, and then train at my mom’s studio in the evenings. Plus, we were traveling to dance conventions, competitions, and workshops on the weekends. I’m tired just thinking about it now, but it never phased me - I loved it all so much.

I discovered musical theatre when I was 16. I was taking private voice lessons from a well-known musical theatre aficionado, Pat Waldron. She encouraged me to audition for a local theatre’s production of Anne of Green Gables, choreographed by Valerie Easton. I was hooked from the beginning - singing and dancing and telling a story; the magic of live theatre bit me right in the heart. I cried so much when that production closed - I had never felt such a sense of connection, joy, and community. I was home.

My second experience in musical theatre was a rather big deal. The TV movie, Bye Bye Birdie, was being shot in Vancouver, and they were looking to cast most of the Sweet Apple Teens locally. I auditioned and GOT IT!!!

I played Margie, one of the Sweet Apple Teens. I didn’t really realize at the time how incredible the job was because it was my first professional gig - I was still in high school and living at home. The other actors in the cast kept telling me how lucky I was because I didn’t have to spend any of my earnings on rent and bills. I thought all professional jobs were like this. I didn’t get it then, but NOW I DO!!

It was an experience like no other - laying down vocals in a recording studio, being featured on a CD, working on set with famous people, (Jason Alexander, Vanessa Williams, Chynna Phillips, Tyne Daly, George Wendt), and the absolute best of all was working with the legendary Ann Reinking, who was the choreographer for the movie. (I was starstruck from day one - ‘It’s Grace from Annie!!’).

I had always dreamed of living in Manhattan. I don’t know why because I had never been there - I think I saw it in movies, on TV shows, read about it in books and it seemed to be calling my name. I auditioned for a few theatre schools in Canada and one in New York. When I got my acceptance letter to The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, there was no question, I was going. As soon as I arrived I took a taxi down to Times Square with a friend. It was nighttime and the lights were fully aglow… the pulse of the city immediately filled my soul - I felt alive. I knew I was in the place I was meant to be.

I can’t really sum up my time living in New York. I was 19 when I moved there, 32 when I left. I became an adult in that city. I made mistakes (thankfully pre-Facebook era), had great success, fell in love, suffered deep heartbreak; it was a beautiful, confusing, messy, wonderful time. I studied with incredible teachers - Sheila Barker, Harry Woolever, Mark Santoro, Michelle Barber, Chet Walker, and worked with amazing directors - Linda Haberman, Brett Smock.

Career Highlights include: performing in Celebrate Broadway at The Kennedy Center with John Lithgow and Linda Eder, playing Louise on the US National Tour of Crazy For You, and reaching the pinnacle of my performing career - becoming a Rockette and dancing in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for six seasons.

Once you’ve been a New Yorker, the city never quite leaves you, but leave it I did. I was feeling the urge to create and have more of a voice in the rehearsal room, and I was having a hard time holding up to the physical demands of being a Rockette - I wanted to retire while my body was still in tact. Physical longevity became the priority. I needed a huge shift for many reasons, both personally and professionally, so I moved to the west coast, and started the transition onto the other side of the table (directing and choreographing musicals).

It was a slog at the beginning - reaching out to theatre companies to introduce myself, writing to directors and choreographers offering to assist or even just observe in the room, trying to get anyone to return my emails... and slamming into brick walls at every turn. But I knew I had something to offer and if New York had taught me anything, it was perseverance. Slowly, I got some opportunities to assist where I learned the craft and honed my skills, and got to witness the energy (and magic) of a rehearsal room from the creative team’s standpoint.

I finally got a chance to show what I could do! I booked two choreography gigs in Vancouver - Shrek: The Musical at Theatre Under The Stars, and Crazy For You at The Gateway Theatre. I knew Crazy For You was a good show for a choreographer, and if I did it right, it could put me on the map. I am proud to report I won a Jessie Richardson Theatre Award for Significant Artistic Achievement in choreography for my work on Crazy For You!

I was building a career as a freelance director and choreographer, traveling across Canada and the US putting up musicals, working as an associate director on the North American Premiere of From Here to Eternity, and occasionally choreographing film and tv productions. Working closely with Tim Rice on From Here to Eternity and with Idina Menzel on the Lifetime TV movie remake of Beaches were definitely highlights.

And then, in April of 2017, I suffered a massive stroke. I was clinically locked in, unable to move, speak, or even react to anything for about a week. I spent 24 days in the hospital between ICU and acute care, and another 42 days in a rehab hospital before being deemed capable of moving home.

My recovery was not easy and I lost some abilities I still haven’t regained... but my perspective on life has shifted. I try to find joy everyday, I understand that life is a privilege, and I’m grateful that I have recovered as well as I did. For more on my recovery journey check out my piece, The Job of a Stroke Survivor.

Following my stroke, I was worried my career as a director and choreographer was over. I didn’t want to leave the industry, but would anyone ever give me a chance as a creative again? I had a brain injury now, but my creative process remained the same. Other things about the job I had to adjust, but not the way I conceptualized movement, stage direction, or storytelling. I am forever grateful to Michael Rubinoff and Marc Richard for trusting me to direct a show that following year. The industry welcomed me back with open arms. I could not be more appreciative.

Five years post-stroke, I’ve continued to hold gratitude for amazing creative experiences. Highlights include:

Directing and Choreographing one of my favourite shows of all time, Newsies, AND having Kenny Ortega (the original director and choreographer of the 1992 film) attend a performance!

Mentoring under the great Stafford Arima on a production of Billy Elliot.

Working with the incredible Sheila McCarthy on YPT’s production of The Adventures of Pinocchio and winning a Dora Award for Outstanding Original Choreography for the work.

I’m also creating a show entitled, LockedIN, which encompasses that first week in the hospital when I was completely paralyzed without the ability to communicate at all.

I’m driven by my desire to live life fully completely, to make stories that move, and to find joy in everything I do. For my most recent happenings, you can find me on Instagram.