A Little About Me (or, How I Slid Sideways Into My Life)

I have always loved music. I started singing when I joined the 3rd grade chorus, began studying violin in the 4th grade, and took up the alto saxophone in the 5th grade. I went to NYSSMA and SCMEA and LISFA. By the time I was a freshman in high school, I was giving violin and alto saxophone lessons to the middle school kids who were just beginning. I was bit by the music bug.

Until my sophomore year, I had plans to pursue alto saxophone performance in college. I had been in a few school shows and taken some summer acting classes, but it was never my focus. That all changed when I got cast as a lead in the school musical my sophomore year. I decided I should begin taking voice lessons to help prepare for the role, and I met the teacher who would change the course of my life.

Ever since I had a small role in Johnny Appleseed in 3rd grade, I have loved musical theater. I wasn't very familiar with opera apart from the school trips we would take. The woman I began to study with, however, had significant opera connections, and she saw potential. I sang for a few of her colleagues, and my future was decided. They determined where I would go to college and with whom I would study. While my passion was musical theater, my parents and I decided it would be foolish not to take advantage of the opportunity I was given.

I attended Boston University for vocal performance, but I knew it wasn't what I wanted with my life. I was miserable, and I had lost my singing mojo. I transferred to NYU, where I studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and spent my last semester of college acting in Dublin. I graduated with a BFA in acting and had to find a way to pay the bills.

I had been a toy demonstrator at FAO Schwarz throughout college, but it didn't pay enough to cover my rent. I got a job as a receptionist for a music manager, but it meant I couldn't audition. I decided it was time for a change. I moved back to Long Island, started auditioning in NYC and performing in local theater, and looked for a way to support my acting.

In September of 2002, I came across an ad in Pennysaver for a music company looking for private teachers. Destiny? I think yes. I started out teaching saxophone and violin for the company but became primarily a voice instructor after they lost a teacher. I stayed with the company until September 2003 when I left to perform in Florida. When I got back to Long Island in January 2004, Music with Meg began.

In the 20+ years I've been teaching, I've taught over 100 students, driven over 300,000 miles, and worn-out three cars. But it's been worth every mile. I've been able to make a career doing what I love. Being able to help my students develop their talent and find their own musical voice inspires me every day. A close friend once said I slid sideways from opera into musical theater into teaching, and it's been the most exciting ride of my life.