I am an Associate Professor of Digital Media in the School of Visual Arts and Design at the University of Central Florida. As a professor and award winning animated short film director, I have advised and guided aspiring animators, game artists, and visual effects artists for 13 years. Since 2009, I have been teaching all aspects of production in the Character Animation specialization at UCF. I hold a B.A. and M.Ed. in Education and an M.F.A. in Computer Art with a specialization in 3D Animation.

 

Prior to UCF, I was professor of Animation at the Savannah College of Art and Design from 2001 to 2009. I am currently on the Board of Directors for the Animation Hall of Fame and also a member of SIGGRAPH, Women in Animation, and the Society for Animation Studies.

 

I have been Certified in Maya since 2005 and am both an Autodesk Certified Professional in Maya 2016, 2013 and an Autodesk Certified Instructor in Maya (1 of 7 in the United States). I am the author of Reel Success: Creating Demo Reels and Animation Portfolios (2013) and An Essential Introduction to Maya Character Rigging (2008).

 

As a digital artist and animator, I blend the lines between digital imagery and the traditional painting medium. I have participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions in the US and my works are featured is several private collections. My award-winning students have been featured in animation festivals worldwide, and many have gone on to work within the entertainment industry.