I believe the best learning happens when students feel safe, seen and welcome. In my classroom, we celebrate our differences and explore the perspectives that make us who we are.
My experience as an educator has been wide ranging.
I have experience teaching the full scope of K-12 and collegiate Vocal and Classroom music, enjoying the challenges and joys of every developmental stage, as well as experience working with the aging voice through my bilingual community choir.
I am trained in International Baccalaureate (IB DP and MYP DP), and am a Highly Qualified teacher with K-12 licensure in Minnesota.
I’m an active clinician and presenter and have presented at the MMEA Midwinter Conference on topics such as Hmong music in the choral classroom, Joy and Resilience in ensemble settings, and have shared original curriculum materials rooted in self-identity and cultural exploration.
I firmly believe that my role as a music educator is to empower and engage singers of all backgrounds. In my classroom, we laugh, we listen and we share. My curriculum is drawn from the backgrounds of my students and I strive to create a classroom that is inclusive, welcoming and safe.
As an immigrant from Colombia, I am deeply passionate about working with immigrant communities and with under-represented student populations utilizing musical theater and choir as tools for outreach and enrichment. As a classroom educator, I have continued that passion by creating partnerships with organizations like MPR Class Notes, VocalEssence, Twin Cities - PBS and Border CrosSing.
Learn more about my work below.
Student Performance Samples
In 2024, the Blake School A Cappella Choir and Chamber Orchestra were selected to perform at MMEA where we performed Čhaŋté Wašté Hokšíla (My Kind-Hearted Boy) by Dr. Licinthum-Blackhorse.
Learning this piece has been an incredible opportunity to learn more about Mni Sóta Makoce and the Dakota and Ojibwe people, who are the traditional stewards of this land. A special thanks to Chaz Wagner (Bois Forte Ojibwe) for sharing how to teach and perform traditional melodies, Anna Reid for helping develop and shape curricular connections, Dr. Thomas Wyatt for facilitating conversation with Dakota artists, and Reuben Kitto Stately (Red Lake Nation and Santee Sioux Nation), who joined us in class to share music, stories and perspectives in engaging with Native music.