Biography

She was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Rochester, New York.

Studied at the Juilliard School and holds degrees from the State University of New York at Potsdam and the Eastman School of Music. Early recognition includes the 1988 Metropolitan Opera National Auditions, the Richard Tucker Award, the George London Prize, the Grand Prix at the International Singing Competition in Belgium, and a Fulbright Scholarship to Germany.

Sang in a jazz trio while studying at the State University of New York at Potsdam and later toured as a singer with Illinois Jacquet's big band.

Honorary Member of Sigma Alpha Iota, professional music fraternity for women

Two daughters, Amelia, born 1992 and Sage, born 1995

My parents discussed singing every night over the dinner table; I had a tremendous music education.

I don't want to be somebody who stands still and sings pretty. Each song is a world. Each song is a story.

I do everything in the third person. Performance is about someone else.

I have had a very difficult time with stage fright. It undermines your well-being and peace of mind, and it can also threaten your livelihood.

Everybody's a work in progress. I'm a work in progress. I mean, I've never arrived. I'm still learning all the time.