My philosophy as an educator is rooted in creating brave and safe spaces, emotional expression, and inclusivity. I believe strongly in practicing social emotional learning and culturally responsive teaching. I want to create art that instigates, inspires, and sparks conversation and change. As a larger bodied, neurodivergent, queer woman in today's society, I am acutely aware of the dearth of representation within the theatrical industry, as well as the deeply negative impact these images can have on young students who desperately want to pursue a career in the arts, but have no one reflective of their lived experience to look up to. My hope in educating and empowering the next generation of theatrical artists is that they may help create a theatrical industry that is reflective of the world we live in. 

       Furthermore, I am also deeply invested in keeping an even balance between theatre as pro-technical and pro-social. I realize that not all of my students may choose to pursue theatre at a professional or collegiate level, but I hope to instill in them essential skills that they can carry into their chosen profession, such as dedication and work ethic, teamwork and collaboration, and time management. So much of my expanded worldview, empathy for the lived experiences of others, and desire to spark positive change has come from my experiences with theatre, and so in my teaching I strive to not only help create future theatre-makers, but future change-makers, regardless of their chosen career. I also discovered my passion for theatre at a deeply turbulent time in my life, and it was in theatre I found the ability to express emotions I found otherwise overwhelming. I understand firsthand the lifesaving power of theatre, and so in my work I am constantly working to create a space wherein my students feel safe to express their emotions in a healthy and productive manner. 

         For those of my students who do intend to pursue theatre at a professional level, I want to arm them with essential skills and practices necessary to put their best foot forward in a highly competitive and rigorous industry. Even as I graduated with my undergraduate degree in musical theatre, I felt wholly unprepared for many aspects of the theatrical industry, and I found myself receiving a crash course. Thus, I hope to prepare my students by familiarizing them early on in their education with standard industry audition practices, as well as expected rehearsal etiquette. As a director, I am inspired by the work of directors such as Michael Arden, Rachel Chavkin, and choreographer Steven Hoggett, and hope to work primarily on contemporary musicals, original works, and reimaginings of well known classic shows.