Her first 3 years had her continue to study and play locally. After her first year, she won the Grand Traverse Musicale Award. The prize money, to be used toward musical instruction, enabled her to attend a harp workshop held at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. There she met Kathleen Bride, the professor of harp at the school, and soon after began taking monthly lessons in Rochester. After just 3 years of playing she was accepted as an undergraduate at the Eastman School of Music.

Throughout her undergraduate study, she continued to play professionally for private events, weddings, etc. The summer before her senior year she was hired as the harpist at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan where she performed twice daily, seven days a week for the whole summer.

Upon graduating from Eastman, she was accepted there as a graduate assistant of harp. In the winter of 2004-05, she recorded her first CD. Entitled, "Lighting Up the Room", the CD showcased a variety of music and some of the most requested pieces from her professional playing.