I have always been serious about health, vocal health, nutrition and fitness.  In the early 2000's, during the time I took off from choir directing to take care of my terminally ill father, I became certified and taught aerobics, kickboxing, Pilates-based mat science and body pump weight classes.  It filled my teaching "love tank", kept me healthy, while raising two young boys and spending several days a week being a caregiver. 

​

Fast forward to 2019, I suffered a severe ankle sprain when I was in Indianapolis and a stream of injuries followed.  I had painful injuries that ranged from Plantar's Fasciitis in both feet and a broken pinky toe at the same time, a shoulder injury,  developed bursitis in my elbow, nursed my diabetic husband through Covid, and he eventually ended up in the hospital with Diabetic Ketoacidosis.  At the same time, I was came down with Covid. (Thankfully, it was a very mild case.)  All that time, I had a painful knee condition where my kneecap kept popping out of place, causing debilitating pain.  All I could do was lay down and ice whatever was ailing me.  I stopped working out and ate whatever was convenient during those years.  I was always icing, elevating and hobbling around.   Over that time, I gained 40 pounds and had inflammation so bad, it hurt to do anything,  much less stand on stage and perform. I developed hoarseness in my singing voice that lasted almost a year and I didn't know why. One day, I was determined to work out, so I went outside, stepped off my back patio to do some walking lunges in my back yard.  The grass had grown a bit on the edge and I didn't see it, but a rabbit or possum dug a hole right there.  I stepped into the hole and my ankle twisted and turned over and over until I fell to the ground in excruciating pain.  I thought I had sprained it, hobbled into the house, iced and elevated my ankle (again) and called my doctor.  I found out that he was out of the country on a medical mission.  I nursed my ankle the best I could for a week and was finally able to see him for an exam.  He referred me to an Orthopedic Doctor, who diagnosed me with a double fractured ankle.  During that time, I suffered two bouts of tachycardia and went to the ER both times, being admitted the second time.  After wearing a boot for months and lots of physical therapy I was already on a path of gain my health back and it was then I lost the 50 pounds. 

​​

 I was so grateful for my weight loss because I felt my body could finally heal.  The inflammation went down, the hoarseness in my voice cleared up, tachycardia is under control, my aches, pains and injuries started to heal, and I was FINALLY able to stand and perform pain free! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My desire to help others grew when students started coming to lessons with symptoms that went deeper than what I normally see in singers, allergies and drainage issues.  I started having a number students come in with autoimmune diseases, gut issues (like digestive pain and reflux), breathing issues, unexplained allergies, hoarseness that was unexplained, and hormonal issues.  All of these things affected their ability to sing and they weren't getting the answers they needed.  ENT's have been recommending clients to me for rehab after vocal surgeries for a while and all of a sudden I found myself studying and researching anything I could that would help me learn some possible root causes for their issues.  

​​​

This research led me to study Functional Nutrition with Functional Nutrition Alliance's, CEO and Founder, Andrea Nakayama.  I started training in early 2024 and graduated in Jan 2025, with my Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor (CFNC) Certification.  I am currently enrolled in the Functional Nutrition Alliance's Functional Nutrition Lifestyle Practitioner (FNLP) Certification Program.  I am also a Board Certified member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. 

​

I am now able to help people, especially singers, identify root causes for health issues and through a functional lens.  By digging deep, I can help them identify potential triggers for illness, and lead them to health through proper nutrition and lifestyle choices that encourage a healthy well-being so they can do what they love.  I have been working with clients and seeing improvement in their lab tests and in the way they feel in their vocal performance as well, as in their daily lives. 

​

My goal in providing singers with nutrition coaching is to show them there is more to vocal health than overcoming and preventing respiratory issues, fatigue and vocal injury.  There are things potentially affecting their voice that are yet to be discovered and I am here for that!  I truly believe that vocal health can't begin until a body is healthy.  II am not only committed to teaching solid vocal technique and musicianship, I am committed to helping students connect those dots and perform, feel and live better than ever! ​

​

If you are interested in adding my health and wellness program to your vocal training, let's get going today!  Click below for more information!

​

Pricing/Pay/Scheduling

Nutrition Program Information & Policies​

Health Forms

Testimonials

Nutrition Home Page