I grew up in western Kansas, Ellis and WaKeeney, and graduated from Trego Community High School. My mother was a piano teacher and composer, so you can be sure the four of us kids got lots of musical opportunities in the home, school, and church. I later went to Bethany College, Lindsborg, where I majored in music education and flute. My first job out of college was right here in Lyons at Park and South Schools. I got additional music training in Orff (training named after the composer, Carf Orff) from Hamline University in Minnesota, UMKC, and Memphis State, and earned my Master’s from WSU. In 1981 I married Roy Peak, moved to Hutch, and have been commuting to Lyons from Hutch ever since! I’ve often been asked if I get tired of driving back and forth—I always respond that it’s my quiet time! There’s a lot to be said for teaching in a smaller town and school district, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed teaching here all these years.

We have two boys, Ryan and Aaron, who are very involved in sports, music, and band, and attend school in the Buhler district. We keep very busy following their activities and being their number one fan. I am organist and children’s choir director at our church. As a family we love to travel, and have enjoyed traveling to Germany, Washington, D.C., and are heading for New York this summer with the Kansas Youth Choir. In my “personal” spare time, I enjoy crossword puzzles, baking, scrap-booking, reading, and, of course, performing and listening to music. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention our sweet little dog, Sandy, who is another member of the family! She’s always there to welcome her family home!