About

I moved to Athens in 1999, when I began studies at UGA for my undergraduate degree. In 2003, I received my Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory and stayed at UGA for my Master’s degree in Flute Performance, which I received in 2005. After graduate school, I moved to Atlanta for a year, taking orchestral auditions and teaching private flute and piano lessons. I then briefly worked in Charlotte, NC, selling flutes for premiere flute shop J.L. Smith & Co., before returning to Athens. When my daughter Lorelei was 3 years old, she attended Emmanuel Episcopal Day School, and I became a substitute teacher there. Though I had worked with children in private lessons and at arts and music camps, this was my first experience working at a preschool, and I fell in love. I realized that I truly enjoy being with young children, observing their dynamics, helping them to work together and explore their worlds. I became an assistant teacher at Emmanuel the following year and also became the music teacher after the birth of my second daughter, Sylvia. I taught at Emmanuel for 6 years and each year grew more fond of my work with children. After Emmanuel, I spent one year as an assistant teacher at Kaleidoscope Montessori School before beginning my music education business, which is Music with Natalie. Now, I am so happy to be spending much of my days teaching music to children through group classes and private lessons. I am always looking for new opportunities to connect with children and new methods of teaching foundational concepts of music in a fun and meaningful way.

In addition to teaching, I am still an active flutist. I am principal flutist of the Gwinnett Ballet Theater Orchestra and the Georgia Ballet Orchestra. I regularly substitute in regional symphony orchestras. I freelance at all kinds of church services and special events. And I play in Brazilian forró band Bichos Vivos, and the Athens Middle East Orchestra.