When I was in the 6th grade (around age 11), I was introduced to music and theater by a friend, Betsy "Bets" Malone. "Bets", did Musical Theatre. In fact, when I met her, she was doing Peter Pan; her hair was cut short and died blond.  Through this friendship, she encouraged me to audition for a musical and from the first time I tried it, I was hooked.... I caught "the bug".  

 

As I further developed my art, I met a man who exposed me to what I call        "Extraordinary "! Mr. James R. Cook was a vocal teacher in the North County area of  San Diego.  By the time I was 15, I loved the dramatic Italian opera composers; in particular, Puccini and Verdi. James; however, introduced me to more composers, such as Mozart,. and continued to show me many more musicals and opera.  

 

 

In High School, I had another great mentor; my drama teacher, Mrs. Kathy Brombacher.  She pushed me by exposing us to classical acting and literature through performance.  Grace Ann Etcheberria Jacobs taught me the fundamentals of dance and movement. She directed me in many of the youth shows I participated in.  

 

All of this was a start to a life long passion and career.  I do not know what I would have been doing with my self had I not been Exposed to Extraordinary.  I still keep in contact with Betsy "Bets" Malone, Mr.James R.Cook, Kathy Brombacher, and Grace Ann to this day.

 

Today, with the great mentorships of these people, each day I pass on the torch to my students -- Exposing Students to Extraordinary!

 

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