Growing up in Minnesota, Autumn studied cello with Joseph Johnson and Peter Howard. She received many honors as a young cellist, performing with the Fargo Moorhead Symphony, attending Interlochen Arts Camp as an Emerson Scholar, and the National Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Music Institute as the representative from the state of Minnesota. 

Autumn was awarded a Bachelor of Music in cello performance from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, studying with renowned cello teacher and chamber musician Norman Fischer. She later went on to complete a Master of Music in solo cello performance from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England, studying with the principal of the Halle Orchestra and fellow Minnesotan, Nicholas Trygstad. 

Since completing her degrees, Autumn has worked as a freelance cellist, performing solo, chamber, and orchestral music concerts internationally in Canada, Scotland, England, Wales, and Italy. As a recording artist, she has completed recording projects for the BBC, Warner Brothers, and Netflix, as well as a recent album with Inscape Chamber Orchestra for Naxos. 

Autumn has worked as a cello teacher in public schools for over 19 years and previously held positions at RNCM Young Strings and University of Utah Preparatory. Recently, she has focused on teaching at social change programs including the DC Youth Orchestra Program, BSO OrchKids, and Salty Cricket. Autumn has served as a workshop facilitator at the El Sistema USA conference and SphinxConnect conferences, helping to lead student composition projects. A dedicated teacher, Autumn includes culturally responsive teaching practices and social emotional learning into her cello curriculum. 

As an arts administrator, Autumn has experience in development, having worked at the University of Utah School of Music, where she raised funds for student scholarships, instruments, and better facilities. Autumn also held a position as Artistic Coordinator at BSO OrchKids, planning workshops for students from Baltimore City schools and helping to connect OrchKids students with scholarships and gain access to summer study. Autumn believes in music as a tool for growth, empowerment, and social development and is proud to continue her work at Peabody Preparatory, in the hopes that the youth of Baltimore may lead the way in building a more equitable and liberated society.