
Thank-you for stopping by! My life has been one adventurous and fun journey. I'm the oldest of seven children and was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In January of 2016, after spending years teaching school in Calgary, Alberta, I moved to Nashville, Tennesee. In the years to come I will alternate my time here with my time in Canada. I just released my second CD, Dreamin' Blues and Barrooms which was recorded at Ma Me O Beach in Alberta and produced by Miles Jackson. In Nashville, I have just finished working on my third CD with Kim Copeland Productions which will be released summer of 2016. As well, I just recorded 5 Christmas songs for an EP out for Christmas 2016.
The majority of my music is classic/traditional country, with a few tunes crossing into folk, jazz and blues with a few songs that are light rock, holiday, and alternative. With a classical background in voice and piano and with years of teaching experience, I've also written and performed classical repetoire and songs for youth and young children.
I was active in Saskatoon in country and other genres of music during the 1990's performing with bands and as a solo artist at numerous events. From 1990 until 2000, I owned and operated a successful karaoke business (The Karaoke Kids) where I hosted and performed regularily at numerous shows in Saskatchewan. My shows ranged from the opening of Saskatoon's new City Hospital, Hallowe'en parties with the premier to beer gardens in the local grain elevator. During my early years in Saskatoon, I developed a vocal repertoire in all genres, became interested in songwriting, writing for children and in creating cartoon characters. In 1991, I wrote a unique and original cartoon which got me a spot on CTV’s ‘Dini Phone Home’. I've recently been working on this story again and have added many additional characters, settings and plots to my original idea. I am presently marketing my cartoon characters at www.skatchatoons.com and am in the process of seeking manufacturing for them as children's toys, games and assessories.
I have been involved in many diverse activities and have been blessed with a great family, two sons, many friends and lots of travel. I have owned a few small businesses, have taught all school grades, have won teaching awards and have performed and taught internationally as well as produced countless elementary school music and dramatic concerts. In 2008 I taught high school English in Japan and also played piano and sang and performed with students, staff and parents. From 2009 – 2010, I was awarded a fellowship from the Calgary Board of Education to live and work in Seoul, South Korea for a year where I taught English, Cartooning and Music classes and completed an arts based Open Minds research project involving Korean youth.
My first CD, 'Jota' (pronounced ho ta which is my name in Spanish) was recorded and produced at Alchemy Studios in Calgary, Alberta by producer/musician/songwriter Jeff Muller and was released in September of 2011. With two ACMA award nominations as female artist of the year and fans choice award, the CD features 13 original songs, originally written by my aunt, Eileen Aubert (1928 - 2005) with additional lyrics and music by myself and Jeff Muller. The music is mainly country with a few tunes that are rock, rhythm and blues, honkey tonk and folk.