Cello with Eva S.

When my mom took me to a music camp when I was 3 years old to listen to other children play different instruments, I must have been pretty tired by the end of the day because when she asked me what my favorite instrument was, I said, "Cello, because they get to sit down!" I have been in love with cello ever since. I got my first 1/8th size cello for my 4th birthday and I have played cello ever since. I started college at Millikin University in Decatur, IL as a cello performance major with a large musical scholarship. During that time, I discovered I was as passionate about teaching as I was about playing so I transferred to Mayville State University in North Dakota and graduated summa cum laude with a BS Elementary Education. I am now the owner of a music studio where children of all ages (starting with newborns) come to take music classes in both group and individual private settings. I am a certified Musikgarten teacher as well as a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. I also include other methodologies in my teaching such as Orff-Schulwerk, and Kodaly. Drawing from many different sources of music teaching philosophy is what helps me tailor lessons for each student individually to fit their learning needs best. I love teaching, but I also love performing. I play for live events such as weddings, parties, and other special events, participate in musical educational outreach programs, and have always been a part of a symphony. Here is a list of some of my symphony and performance experience: Oak Park River Forest High School Symphony Orchestra, Alice S. Pfaelzer Conservatory in Chicago, IL, master classes with Chicago Symphony Orchestra members and touring professional cellists including Yo-Yo Ma, Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra, University of North Dakota Symphony Orchestra, University of Louisiana Orchestra, Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra, and currently the Powder River Symphony Orchestra.