My Story

I studied trumpet at The Juilliard School in New York and the USC Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles. Performing has always been a huge part of my life. I’ve played with symphony orchestras, big bands, pop groups, funk bands, musicals, Latin ensembles, metal bands, and film scoring sessions. You name it, I’ve probably played it.

But in college — and especially after — I needed to make money. So I started teaching. A lot. Summer camps, preschools, public schools, private schools, after-school programs, private lessons — all over Southern California, in just about every way you can imagine.

Something unexpected happened: I fell in love with it. And people started telling me I was good at it.

I’ll never forget one mom from a class I taught just before opening my school. She gifted me a handmade quilt — which I still have — and on it was the logo of my new music school about to open. She smiled at me with excitement in her eyes.

“You are so ambitious,” she said. “Sometimes our dreams change. And that’s okay.”

I didn’t really think of it as ambitious — it just felt like the right thing to do. Music education helps people become more aware, more expressive, and more connected to the world around them. It teaches skills that go far beyond playing an instrument — it shapes who we are.

Music gives us a creative outlet and a deeper life experience we can share with others. It helps us become more sensitive, more detailed, better listeners — and most of all, it reconnects us with the joy we’re all born with.

In 2005, with the unwavering support of my parents — my mom, Bonnie, an educator, and my dad, Joe, a businessman — I founded Little School of Music: a place where students of all ages could discover the joy of learning and making music outside of the traditional classroom. What began as one small studio has since grown into an award-winning, nationally recognized music school that has served thousands of students and empowered over a hundred educators.

Today, I help passionate community music school owners move from being overwhelmed and uncertain to having confidence and clarity — so they can run thriving businesses, make a lasting impact in their community, and finally align their passion with financial success.

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Career Hits

Over the past 20+ years, I’ve been fortunate to perform, teach, and lead in ways I never imagined when I started.

1996-1998

• Guest Soloist with the New West Symphony
• Recipient of the John Philip Sousa Award
• Attended The Juilliard School, New York
• Performed with Juilliard Symphony, Brass Quintet, and Madrigal Singers

1999–2004

• Graduated from USC Thornton School of Music on merit scholarship, earning a degree in Trumpet Performance
• Sounds of Latin America Solo Recital featuring traditional Latin music, Café 1930 by Astor Piazzolla, and latin jazz music inspired by Tito Puente
• Iridescence Solo Recital featuring music for all trumpets, flugel horn, and voice. Original orchestral music selections by the Beatles and Björk were transcribed and arranged by Mindy.
• Professional performing, recording, and touring across the U.S. and internationally for various artists, projects, albums, and independent films including: Michael Bolton, Kanye West, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Michael Andrew and Swingerhead, Latin Fusion, Brian King’s The Godfather Works, Bear McCreary’s Band Camp

2005

• Founded Little School of Music in Santa Clarita, CA

2006–2011

• Certified Early Childhood Music Educator (80+ hrs)
• Completed Orff Schulwerk Certification Levels I–III (UNLV)
• Completed Orff Schulwerk Master Certification under Jos Wuytack (University of Memphis)
• Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program (RCM) Santa Clarita Valley Founding School and Center Representative (Formerly The Achievement Program in partnership with Carnegie Hall)
• Opened new Little School of Music location in 2010

2012–2017

• Served as MTAC SCV Branch President and Director (7 years)
• Served on SCVYO Board of Directors as Treasurer (2 years)
• Served on MTAC State Board of Directors as 1st Director and 2nd Vice President (4 years)
• Served as MTAC Convention Program Chair (3 years)
• Little School of Music became a Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accredited SEP

2018–2019

• Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Certified Teacher
• Students awarded RCM National and Regional Gold Medals
• Received RCM National Gold Medal in Harp
• Voiceover projects, including Cat’s Don’t Fly by Mark Heller (Voice of the Songbird, Ella)
• Little School of Music Youtube Channel

2020-2023

• Active in the Web3 Music space as a community manager and digital artist – won several original song competitions, including the Chill-RX Theme Song.
• Released original Web3 music track Genesis for International Women’s Day
• Currently serving as the California Association of Music Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) as District 9 Director
• Established Voiceover the Rainbow, a creative collaboration company
• Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Certified Early Childhood Teacher

2024–2025

• Special Guest Presenter for the Royal Conservatory of Music Smart Start Program and Teacher’s Summit in Toronto, Canada.
• Joined the Royal Conservatory of Music College of Examiners
• Released first original picture book & music, The Little Gift
• Getting Married! 💍✨