Mrs. Darlene began teaching voice and piano lessons 15 years ago and started her classroom teaching career over 10 years ago. She has taught in Calgary and Lethbridge including Grades 2 - 5 classroom, early literacy and music. She has directed choirs, singing clubs and directed and co-directed Spring and Winter School Concerts. As a school teacher, Mrs. Darlene was a member of Professional Learning Communities for Writing and Positive Behaviour Modification Philosophy as well as a member of the Calgary Carl Orff Music Education Society.

Mrs. Darlene is passionate about music education. She started playing piano when she was a young girl and always loved to sing. At the age of 12, she began vocal lessons after spending many years singing in several music festivals with her elementary school choirs, small group ensembles, trios and duets. After completing Grade 8 Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) exams in both piano and voice she began to pursue university music. Mrs. Darlene graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Music (Voice) and a Diploma of General Studies in Social Work. After taking a year to work at a museum teaching education programs as well as teaching voice and piano lessons, she completed her Bachelor of Education degree in the spring of 2006 taking additional music education courses and workshops (including Kodaly Music Method). Mrs. Darlene still loves learning! Most recently, Mrs. Darlene completed three Advanced Level Royal Conservatory of Music Harmony and Music History exams, receiving First Class Honors in all of them. She is constantly gaining knowledge from experts in music performance and education, attending music workshops and conferences, and reading singing, piano and music education publications.