About DeAnn

DeAnn grew up in Arvada, Colorado, where she began teaching piano at the age of sixteen.  She was inspired by her high school piano teacher, Ann Ellisor, who was her mentor for two years as she learned to teach classical piano.  She is forever grateful to Ann for instilling a love of the piano and for her guidance in making her the piano instructor she is today.

DeAnn received her Bachelor of Music Education , summa cum laude, and Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of Denver.  She taught elementary general music in Jeffco Public Schools, general music and instrumental music in Boulder Valley Public Schools, and Jazz History at the University of Denver.  

She has performed professionally with the Colorado Festival Orchestra, and at Disneyland and Disney World.  She has done extensive accompanying for the Denver Regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, State Solo and Ensemble competitions,  All State Choir auditions, and recitals and auditions at Metropolitan State University, University of Denver and University of Colorado.

In 2007 she received a Certificate in Jazz and Commercial Music.  She then formed the classic rock band, Zyzzyx, for which she was musical director and keyboardist.

She now plays with the jazz group, Straphangin', which performs primarily music of the Brecker Brothers.