Originally from Michigan, Carrie holds a Bachelor’s in Music Performance (French horn) from DePaul University School of Music and a TEFL certificate from the International TEFL Teacher Training Institute. As a musician she has performed and taught in Canada, France, and Ireland. In December 2006, Carrie became the first American and civilian to perform with La Brigade de Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris.

Before joining the ESL team at VIU, Carrie developed and taught the ESL/TOEFL prep course for music interns at the Virginia Conservatory of Music in Leesburg, Virginia.

Carrie has been teaching piano and French horn for 10 years and continues to maintain a small music studio and limited performing schedule. Her interests include a love of all the arts, travel, film, food/wine, and watching tennis. Carrie lives with her husband, a percussionist, and their music-loving cat.