Barbara was born of German-American heritage. Her first teacher was a private teacher on the staff at the Hart School of Music, Hartford, Connecticut. She later graduated from the University of Louisville Conservatory of Music, Kentucky, with a BA in music. Later she moved to California and received a Master’s in Music from California State University, Los Angeles.
She has taught instrumental and choral music for twenty-nine years in the Los Angeles County schools. When she retired, she moved to Silver Strand Beach and directed The Ventura Choraliers for 15 years in the Adult Education Department.
At present, she enjoys directing the Seabreeze Combo, a group playing popular and traditional styles of music for Ventura and the surrounding areas.