With over twenty years of private and studio piano teaching experience, Izzy brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her students. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Missouri State University and a Master’s in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Texas – San Antonio. During her graduate studies, she wrote a paper on adaptive teaching approaches for students with dyslexia, a topic that sparked her ongoing interest in personalized teaching strategies. Over the years, she has worked with students of diverse needs, including those with autism, learning disabilities, and visual impairments, believing that every child deserves a positive and engaging musical experience.

Izzy is a member of the San Antonio Music Teachers Association (SAMTA), Texas Music Teachers Association (TMTA), and the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). She actively encourages her students to participate in local events, such as the TMTA Theory Test, SAMTA Achievement Auditions, and various competitions. Beyond her studio, Izzy is deeply committed to giving back to the community. Her students regularly perform at local assisted living facilities, sharing their musical talents with residents. From 2018 to 2024, she partnered with Hearts Need Art, a nonprofit that supports patients and caregivers, performing for staff and patients in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Currently, she serves as the President and CEO of Art Spark Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing creative arts to healthcare settings and senior care centers. Izzy also volunteered with Grow with the Arts, a program that advocates for the arts in schools, and was involved as the Artist-in-Residence at Longs Creek Elementary in 2016.

In addition to her work as an educator, Izzy is an accomplished author and visual artist. She published her first children’s book, Princess Zoe and Her Marvelous Carriage, in 2019, followed by Princess Hallie and the Intergalactic Marvelous Carriage in 2020. These books explore themes of self-empowerment and anti-bullying, with Izzy often visiting schools to present on these topics and share her creative process. She is currently working on a third book, Grandma Bunny Goes to Heaven, which is inspired by her personal experiences with loss.

Izzy’s love for the outdoors led to her exploration of plein air painting, which she began during camping trips in her beloved 1970 VW Bus. This journey sparked a connection between her art and music, and she is now composing her first piano songbook, My Traveling Songbook: 10 Outdoor-Inspired Songs for Intermediate Beginners, which combines original music and plein air art from her travels. In 2023, she was selected by Alta Community Enrichment in Utah as their artist-in-residence as a music composer with this songbook. In 2024, she was selected for a prestigious national park artist residency at Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico. Both residencies required her to compose and dedicate a piece, which will be included in her songbook.

Her passion for plein air painting extends to competitions, where she has achieved recognition, including Best in Show at Paint Llano Plein Air in 2024. She has also participated into the Paint Historic Waxahachie competition in 2024 and Buda Arts Festival in 2023. In addition to these competitions, Izzy has exhibited her work in prestigious and international galleries and received accolades such as the “People’s Choice” award at the Inspire Gala and Honorable Mention for Summer 1938 at the 8th Annual Juried Art Exhibition.

Izzy’s first solo art show, Izzy’s Rhapsody: A Life Journey of Music and Art, was held in 2016, showcasing paintings that represent key moments in her life. Her works are now displayed in music stores around San Antonio and continue to gain recognition.

As a self-taught artist, Izzy has honed her skills through classes with Charles Ingram at Inspire Fine Arts Community Center. Today, her artistic career continues to flourish, and she runs her own successful business.

Izzy’s Artistic & Musical Academy offers lessons for students of all ages, from elementary school to adults, in both music and visual arts. If you are interested in learning more about her approach to teaching or her artwork, please feel free to contact her.