Viola (Lola) was born in Salzburg, Austria to a Romanian woman and an American soldier. She attended more than 12 different schools in the United States and received three degrees from The University of Texas at Austin: BA in English, Masters in Education, and a Doctorate in Education. She returned to school after retiring as a teacher for 38 years to become an art therapist. She received her Masters of Art Therapy Counseling degree in 2011 from Marylhurst University in Oregon. She was honored with the Crystal Apple Teaching Award in 1997 and was honored by being a 2002 Disney Teacher Nominee, also receiving a 1997 MetLife AACTE Cultural Award Fellowship, 1997 OEA Teaching and Learning Grant, 2001 China Study Travel Grant (PDK), 2003 "Rising Star" Recognition for Excellence in Bilingual/ESL Teaching, Inductee into Oliver Wendell Holmes High School Hall of Fame (San Antonio, TX) 2006, as well as a recipient of an Oregon Geographic Alliance 2006 Grant. Lola lives in Oregon with her husband of more than 50 years and provides therapy to women, children, and families.