Highlands Music Lessons

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Shannon has been a faculty member at various colleges, is currently Adjunct Professor of Music at Brazosport College, and also has an active private studio, Leigh Studios. She is the College Music Society South-Central Regional President; and is an Advisory Board member for the Houston Flute Club.

Shannon received her Masters of Music degree in Performance from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She also studied at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and received her B.A. degree in Performance, and B.S. degree in Music-Business from Winona State University, and has studied with world-renowned instructors.

Shannon has received grants for her work, from the Minnesota State Arts Board, American Federation of Musicians, Rome Festival Orchestra, and the Winona Music Guild, and was the 1997 recipient of the Vivian Menees Nelson Music Award.

Shannon is also a sponsored triathlete and trainer/coach/race director, and gives workshops on the importance of healthy living, nutrition and exercise for musicians. She is a board member for The Lake Charles Triathletes. And she is a strong advocate for music, health, and triathlon. Sponsors: Maggie Martinez-LMT, Eating for Performance, Bikesport, DeSoto Sport, Gu Performance Energy, Rudy Project, Amit Jethva-DDS, Leigh Enterprises. Her primary sports growing up were track, gymnastics, and cycling.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am pretty easy going. I want you to feel comfortable and at ease, but we do need to focus and can have fun doing it. :)
I utilize various methods for each instrument, which is determined by the students learning style and ability; needs, so this can change as time goes on (not sticking to one particular publishers materials). I have done (and continue to do) extensive research into materials available for each instrument I teach, and supplement with my own, to utilize the best out there for "YOU" for the best possible progress. While ensuring an extremely well-rounded musical education, so you can progress at the best possible rate. Since each student's potential is different, each will progress differently. This is also determined by your dedication to daily practice (the more you practice, the quicker you will progress & the more accomplished you will become). This is a 'Team Effort'; I give the guidance and tools. You practice, utilize learn these tools, and off we go! The sky is the limit!

*** Specialties ***
Classical, jazz
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FITNESS: Shannon has been athletic most of her life. She is a Certified Personal Trainer, Specialist in Exercise Therapy, and running / multisport (swim/bike/run) coach for 15 years.

She is a sponsored athlete, and a 2018 World Championship Qualifier and Participant in Denmark, representing Team USA, and has also placed in her age group at numerous endurance events.

She applies her years of teaching experience to helping you reach your physical and nutritional goals, to be the healthiest you can be. She's not for quick fixes/results. It's all about a transformational lifestyle change. Enjoy the journey! It's well worth it! (see info above).

re effective; I believe music will help make each individual a well-rounded human being and ready to face the challenges of everyday life.

in Salzburg in 2013 and 2014, where she studied in Professor Ya-Fei Chuang’s studio. Also in 2014, she attended the Duxbury Music Festival and studied Chamber Music with Mr. Jeffrey Cohen and Mr. Amir Elden, as well as Solo Piano with Dr. Jonathan Bass. In February 2014, she participated in the New Music Festival, where she had the opportunity to work with talented composer Louis Andriessen, performing his piece “Joli Commentaire.” In November of 2014, she performed two of Ligeti’s Piano Etudes (“Fanfares” and “Arc En Ciel”) again at the New Music Festival. In addition, she has had the honor of working closely with Boris Berman, Brian Ganz, Eugene Pridonoff, Graham Scott, Jung-Ja Kim, Kirill Gerstein, and Victor Rosembaum.
Dr. Ada has held over ten piano solo recitals and performed in a multitude cities, including but not limited to Kaohsiung, Taipei, Austin, Boston, New York, and Salzburg. From 2016 onward, she began focusing on collaborating with an array of instruments and groups. She also began studying with Dr. Colette Valentine and Dr. Anton Nel. As of lately, she has performed at multiple concerts, including a duet with cello in May of 2018, a duet with bassoon in October and November of 2017, and a trio in April of 2017. Furthermore, she is an energetic, inspirational accompanist, and has been meticulously working in Dr. James Morrow’s studio at University of Texas at Austin, performing for lessons, seminars, university choirs, and Bach cantata projects.
Presently, Dr. Ada provides instruction in her personal studio and educates students utilizing her own unique strategies and methods she has refined throughout the course of her musical career. Ultimately, she strives to continue performing, teaching, and enriching people’s lives through her heartfelt music.

Teaching Philosophy ----- Giving students to achieve their dreams
Dr. Ada teaches piano lessons, viola lessons, music theory in levels of beginner, intermediate and advanced, from age 4 and up.
I have a deep passion for teaching, especially when I see student's development with their musicality and creative ideas. As a teacher, teaching students is a reward to me. I divide my teaching strategy into different levels.
For beginners, the fundamental studies have always played an extremely significant role in their future learnings. I focus on the specific aspects, such as the hand posture, relaxation, or rhythm. From their first few lessons, I start to build their good habits on piano practice. Also, during lessons, I divide time into sections, 2/3 on pieces, 1/3 on studies (like scales or some exercises) and theory. Generally, I ask beginning students to practice as lesson length daily.
In intermediate, (the level from sonatines or above) I ask students to define their interests on specific genres and composers. But I also open and assign them to a variety of repertoires. It helps them to build the enjoyment of piano playing. For motivations, I train students for piano contests based on their willingness. Generally, I also ask intermediate to practice as lesson length daily.
For advanced students, the lessons concentrate on building their professionality and musicality. I focus not only on musical techniques but also on artistic expressions. I describe piece as a story, which creates imaginations and helps on creating their musical ideas. But I even analysis piece logically, it helps them to memorize.
Moreover, I use different learning modalities by aural, visual, or kinesthetic learners, always demonstrate in lessons.

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