Welcome to My Site!

I’m a writer, musician and visual artist living in Northern California. I grew up in rural Indiana in an old farmhouse on acres of land. We had horses, chickens, rabbits, goats, cats, dogs, and various other pets. The landscape was a rich source of inspiration for drawing, writing and musical expression.

In middle school, I began singing in the choir and playing flute in band. That was also when I began keeping a daily journal. In high school, I was involved in drama, musical theater, swing choir, band and orchestra.

I went to Columbia University in New York City for college, earning a B.A. in English. After graduation, I moved out to the San Francisco Bay Area, where I eventually earned my Master’s degrees in English and Music from Holy Names University in Oakland. I taught English at Berkeley City College for a while, then started teaching private lessons in English and Flute.

As a writer, I’ve written and published three novels, two books of poetry, a book of short stories and a book of vignettes. I’ve written and developed two one-woman shows, Panic and Driven Bananas, which I’ve performed around the SF Bay Area. Visit my Books page for details.

As a musician, I’ve performed with a variety of ensembles, including the Laura Austin Wiley Quintet, the Wiley McFarland Duo and Resonance Jazz Ensemble. I’ve recorded CDs of jazz standards and classical art songs as well as my original compositions. Visit my CDs page for details.

As a visual artist, I enjoy drawing with colored pencils, painting with watercolors and acrylics and making collages. I used to have a line of greeting cards for sale. Now, I make art for fun. Some of my works are on this website.

Feel free to look around and join my mailing list

Thank you again for visiting!

(photo by Kenny Yun)

A few of my CDs and books . . .