Vanessa is thrilled to join the Spotlight team! She started playing the piano at age 5, and was raised in a culture of piano and music theory exams, contests, conventions, and recitals. What grew her love for the instrument though were the many occasions she simply sat with her teacher, playing through a wide variety of repertoire, from classical to pop and broadway hits. Vanessa has always been heavily involved in church and school chorus, both as a vocalist and accompanist. She was a member of the University of Texas Women’s Chorale, and co-directed two campus ministry musicals. Today, she continues to share her love for the piano and arts direction through serving at her local church, and by directing the Foster Elementary School Talent Show, now 6 years running! Vanessa was classically trained through the Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program and is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where she received a B.S. in Communication Science and Corporate Communications.