Houston, TX Viola Lessons

ights.

Shannon has been a faculty member at various colleges,and is currently Adjunct Professor of Music at Jessup University and 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).

cluding Ivan Galamian and Josef Gingold. I have also studied with Texas String Teacher of the Year winner Henry Rubin.

ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE

Interlochen Philharmonic
Texas All State
Highland Lakes Orchestra
Symphony of Southeast Texas

NOTABLE TEACHERS

Henry Rubin

Laura S. Camacho

Steven K. Leonard

Ara Sarkissian

Timothy Shiu

gion orchestras and competed at the state level in Solo and Ensemble contests.

Each of my students receives tailored instruction based on their strengths, goals, and needs. I love watching my students grow into musical individuals, and I look forward to meeting you!

cess of singing with drones from a speaker to give the student a sense of how each pitch physically feels when sung in relation to the scales base note.

Developing Motor Skills

String instruments can be thought of as a sport of the fine muscles. However, the larger muscle groups must also be maintained! I encourage my students to take part in some type of after school sport. In addition, I will go through basic stretches during each lesson that prevent injury and improve circulation.

With application to the instrument, there are two main categories of physical-technical exercises, Bow Arm and Left Hand exercises.

Bow Arm Exercises are meant to improve overall sound quality and increase flexibility. There are hundreds of these exercises, with just as many variations. I assign my students just a few each week with a specific goal in mind.

Left Hand Exercises are designed to improve dexterity, accuracy, and speed, while also correcting the hand’s shape, overall efficiency, and intonation. Again, my student receive new exercises each week in order to train the fine muscles and keep their practice fresh.

Learning a Piece of Music

I have several notions and techniques to help students learning a piece of music I break them down into a process that can be understood and carried forward by the student. They are picking a piece, creating learnable chunks, learning notes and rhythms (dynamics and articulation), understanding the form and message and performing.

rowth together.

g with performing in the Reno Phil, she performs regularly with the Reno Chamber Orchestra and Susanville Symphony.

At UIW, she studied violin with Richard Kilmer and viola with Gerald Schoelzel, taught private lessons, group classes, and performed in quartets and regional orchestras all over Texas: Victoria Symphony, Laredo Philharmonic, Corpus Christi Symphony, Mid-Texas Symphony, Symphony of the Hills, Kingsville Symphony, and the Mozart Festival.

For the past two summers, Mc Kayla had the privileged of being principal violist in the Prague Summer Nights Music Festival traveling all over the Czech Republic, performing in orchestra, opera, and chamber music settings. Recently, she studied viola with renowned teacher and soloist, Yizhak Schotten, who studied privately with William Primrose and Lillian Fuchs.

She grew up in Saint Louis, Missouri, and started violin at seven years old in a very musical and artistic family. Her father is a luthier and her mother was a ceramics professor at Fontbonne University. During her free time, she runs with her black labrador, Simba, and practices yoga daily.