In The Beginning Nancy’s music began with singing the National Anthem at Rochester sporting events when she was a junior in high school. She started volunteering to sing for older adults at local senior living communities and group homes for disabled adults. Like most musicians, the weddings and special events followed.   Her formal music education began at Nazareth College of Rochester in 1987. Even though Nancy’s performance skills were good enough to get her accepted into the Music Therapy program, she was a beginner in all other aspects of music. “I didn’t even know where middle C was on the piano…” The next four years consisted of unlimited amounts of perseverance and commitment that resulted in a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Therapy in 1991.   Upon completion of her internship in Costa Mesa California, Nancy started working in Nursing Homes, specializing in music therapy for Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients.   Ah Ha Moment It wasn’t long before Nancy started her position at Stepping Stones Learning Center in Irondequoit as a music therapist. “The innocence and endearing curiosity of these little offspring was remarkably addicting. I discovered the unique qualities of autistic children and was drawn to their special characteristics, behaviors and traits. I helped teach these pre-schoolers about how to greet people and how to tie their shoes. Discriminating numbers and letters, knowing parts of the body, and becoming more attentive to the world around them were major aspects of their early education. Song stories, action songs and silly tunes encouraged the children, maintained their attention and allowed them the opportunity to engage in learning without feeling pressured or threatened….” And this started a chain of events that lead Nancy’s true calling: providing music for all children.   Currently, Nancy is a full time music therapist for Greece Central Schools. Her forte is applying music strategies to teach autistic children academic skills and, when appropriate, social-emotional skills. She works with kindergarten, elementary and high school students. All have specific educational plans and are formally diagnosed. “I am the luckiest person alive. I love my job!”   Part Time Nancy has been teaching spinning classes part time at the Jewish Community Center and at World Gym Rochester since 2002. This is where her music therapy skills take on a whole different role! Her classes are full of people who benefit not only from the cardiovascular rush of adrenaline, and the strength training that spinning offers: due to Nancy’s expertise in selecting each song to match each cycling technique, these ‘students’ are simultaneously engaged in burning calories and fat, strengthening their heart and endurance, while engaged in a musical experience that’s inspiring and fun from beginning to end. “Music is the motivator. It provides us with rhythm and energy to move, sprint, jump and climb farther and faster than we would without music.”   On Stage On the stage, Nancy’s music has evolved into a cohesive mix of talent, expression and history. Her sound has drawn comparisons to Eva Cassidy, Norah Jones, India Arie and Joni Mitchell as she blends the country touches of John Prine with the traditional folk sounds of Gillian Welch. Then moves into Susan Tedeschi-style rhythm and blues, and over to Aerosmith rock and roll. She loves to play publicly because it brings people together. “I get to see my family, friends, co-workers, students and teachers all at once having a great time together!”   Mostly a guitar player, Nancy also sits down to the ivory keys now and then to sing Carol King favorites or a Norah Jones ballad. You never know if she’s going to belt out Don’t Think Twice by Bob Dylan, All At Once by The Fray, Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash or At Last by Etta James. Every show is unique and entertaining because the songs Nancy sings comes from just about every era you can think of from 1960- 2009. [see song lists]