Patty started taking piano lessons at age 6, and at 7 began studying with pianist/composer Barry Oser. She quickly discovered a love of performing, often accompanying older sister Frances. Patty continued studying piano with Geraldine Sharpley through high school, competing often in Houston, and earning a public performance at the NFMC State Piano Festival in San Marcos.
Patty entered the music program at Lamar University in 1997, where she pursued a double major, studying piano with J.N. Collier and euphonium with Travis Almany. She became active in almost every instrumental ensemble offered, including the Symphonic and Jazz Bands. She also held offices in Tau Beta Sigma and Delta Omicron music fraternities, and became active in the Phi Kappa Phi national honor society. During this time she supported herself largely by teaching piano lessons and performing solo piano for weddings and other special occasions.
By the time she graduated in 2002, she had earned performances in four annual honors recitals, won the first annual Lamar University concerto competition, which entitled her to a solo performance with the Symphonic Band days before her graduate-level senior piano recital. She graduated with honors, earning a BS in Piano Performance and a TX teaching certificate, band emphasis.
After graduation, Patty joined the staff of Bridge City Middle School, where she directed the Concert Band, taught beginner classes and worked with the high school marching band. She directed many percussion, brass and woodwind ensembles, including a 10-piece clarinet choir. She was also the Music Theory instructor at BC High School, which included teaching class piano and guitar.
After four years at Bridge City, she decided to pursue her original career as a private piano teacher, this time from her home studio in Nederland. Along with maintaining her studio full-time, Patty now serves as accompanist to the LU Grand Chorus, and continues to perform solo piano as often as possible.
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