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Winter at HCMS
The winter term is here! Heading into a new season of music lessons, here are some important dates to note:
Winter Term Information
Dates: Jan 27th – May 8th
Spring break: weeks of 3/31 & 4/7
This term, HCMS is offering lessons in cello, flute, guitar, piano, percussion, recorder, trumpet, viola, violin, voice, and ukulele.
Pricing Information
30 minutes | $30
45 minutes | $45
60 minutes | $60
Beginning in fall 2024, no registration fee will be charged. A 5% discount is available for students paying in full at the beginning of the term. Scholarships are available for students in need of financial aid.
Lesson Info
The Hastings Community Music School, a program of the Thornapple Arts Council, is committed to providing quality music education to students of all ages and abilities in Hastings and the surrounding area. The Hastings Community Music School is located at Hastings Church of the Nazarene at 1716 N Broadway.
Contact Us
Prospective students should fill out the form below.
Current students can contact HCMS at 269-948-9441 or email shelby@thornapplearts.org.
Prospective Student Contact
Teacher Bios
Dennis Downing
Percussion
Degree
Master of Science Occupational Therapy, 2017
Musical and Teaching Background
I’ve been with HCMS for 10 years. I am currently drumline instructor for Maple Valley High School in Vermontville and Lakewood High School in Lake Odessa. I have performed in over 30 pit orchestras for musical theatre productions in the community and at The Barn Theatre in Augusta, MI. I have also performed with MSU Drumline, Lansing Community College Percussion Ensemble, Kellogg Community College Show Choir, Jazz and Concert bands, and with Ed Englerth Band as well as other local and regional bands. I perform with Thornapple Jazz Orchestra and in the Worship Team at Harvest Community Church in Lake Odessa. My interests include computers, film and exploring how music can help in the world of medicine.
Carrie Carl
Trumpet
Degree
Masters in Agricultural Education and Natural Resources, Michigan State University
Bachelors degrees in Elementary Education/Science and Agriscience, Michigan State University
Musical and Teaching Background
After growing up playing the trumpet (and piano for a while), I went to MSU and played in the Spartan Marching Band, Spartan Brass, and Campus Bands. I also played Mellophone while at MSU.
At Hastings Schools, I help out with the HS Marching Band, serve on our Band Boosters as Secretary, and have been Trumpet/Mellophone instructor at our band camps for 2 years. I have also been part of the Hastings City Band and the Thornapple Wind Band for more than 25 years, and play with the MSU Alumni Band.
Additional Info
I’ve been teaching middle school science for 30 years. This is also my 30th year being the Middle School FFA Advisor.
Jayne Flanigan
Piano
Musical and Teaching Background
From the time I can remember until I graduated from high school, I took piano lessons, learning all the classics. Even before I graduated from high school, I was playing piano and organ with my mother during Sunday morning church and at weddings.
During my 20s, I continued to play with my mother. By the time I was 30, I was playing by myself during Sunday morning church, at weddings, and at funerals. When I was ready to close my law practice in 2021, I knew I wanted to teach piano. The Hastings Community Music School was gracious enough to offer me a teaching position, which I have thoroughly enjoyed.
Tina Horrigan
Cello, violin, viola
Musical and Teaching Background
I’ve been a teacher at HCMS since 2006. I’ve taught music for over 50 years. I began music lessons at age 4 on piano. Lessons on violin, flute & cello followed, with learned abilities on other instruments. My musical background includes performing professionally with orchestras, groups, and soloing throughout Michigan along with performing in educational groups for Grand Rapids Symphony.
Additional Info
I find great joy in helping students discover their instruments and musical expression.
Beth Lepak
Violin, viola, piano
Degrees
Bachelor of Arts, Western Michigan University, 1964
Master of Arts, Michigan State University, 1972
Musical and Teaching Background
I started teaching violin and viola through private lessons after graduation from WMU and have continued teaching privately from my home since then, adding my teaching through the Hastings Community Music School in 1999 when it was set up through the Community Music School of Battle Creek. For the past 10 or so years, I have also conducted a string ensemble through the Battle Creek Youth Orchestra. The ensemble is composed of both youth and adults and our purpose is to enjoy playing music together. I have played many years in several area orchestras including the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Kalamazoo Symphony, and the Battle Creek Symphony. I have also enjoyed playing various places around Hastings, including as a “street musician” during our very musically dry summer last year and for several years as a stage musician for the Mary Youngs Scholarship Concert and “in the pit” for several Thornapple Arts Players musicals and Maple Valley H.S. musicals.
Additional Info
Our string ensemble, Music Connections String Ensemble, is always looking for new members. We have enjoyed playing for various assisted living homes and as guests at the Thornapple Wind Band’s concerts. We meet Thursday evenings at 6:30-7:30 in the Cedar Creek Bible Church’s lower level, following health department guidelines as closely as possible. If you have any experience on a bowed string instrument, join us! We’d love to have you!
Cindy Olson
Piano, voice, beginning flute
Degrees
B.A. in Music, Wittenberg University, 1991
M.A. in Church Music & M. Div., Trinity Lutheran Seminary, 2000
Musical and Teaching Background
I’ve been involved in music as long as I can remember, being in choirs since I was a little girl and starting piano lessons starting at age 5. I’ve been Minister of Music (organist, pianist, choir director) at Grace Lutheran Church, Hastings, since the fall of 2002. I started my time with HCMS as the Hastings Kids Choir director in the winter of 2004 and was asked to consider teaching piano within the year, with voice and flute added over time. I discovered my love for teaching music in this process.
Bikram Ranapheli
Guitar, bass guitar
Degrees
Bachelor in Modern Music, Visible Music College
Masters in Ministry Leadership, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary
Musical and Teaching Background
Bikram grew up listening to music and learning guitar by ear. During his time in college in Memphis, he was part of a summer touring band, recording music and traveling to different parts of the US playing music in youth camps. In 2018, he led a traveling team to different parts of the world — Nepal, Israel, India, and Prague — leading youth music workshops in each country for two weeks.
Bikram is currently serving as the worship leader at Hastings Church of the Nazarene.
Carrie Carl
Trumpet
Degree
Masters in Agricultural Education and Natural Resources, Michigan State University
Bachelors degrees in Elementary Education/Science and Agriscience, Michigan State University
Musical and Teaching Background
After growing up playing the trumpet (and piano for a while), I went to MSU and played in the Spartan Marching Band, Spartan Brass, and Campus Bands. I also played Mellophone while at MSU.
At Hastings Schools, I help out with the HS Marching Band, serve on our Band Boosters as Secretary, and have been Trumpet/Mellophone instructor at our band camps for 2 years. I have also been part of the Hastings City Band and the Thornapple Wind Band for more than 25 years, and play with the MSU Alumni Band.
Additional Info
I’ve been teaching middle school science for 30 years. This is also my 30th year being the Middle School FFA Advisor.
Dennis Downing
Percussion
Degree
Master of Science Occupational Therapy, 2017
Musical and Teaching Background
I’ve been with HCMS for 10 years. I am currently drumline instructor for Maple Valley High School in Vermontville and Lakewood High School in Lake Odessa. I have performed in over 30 pit orchestras for musical theatre productions in the community and at The Barn Theatre in Augusta, MI. I have also performed with MSU Drumline, Lansing Community College Percussion Ensemble, Kellogg Community College Show Choir, Jazz and Concert bands, and with Ed Englerth Band as well as other local and regional bands. I perform with Thornapple Jazz Orchestra and in the Worship Team at Harvest Community Church in Lake Odessa. My interests include computers, film and exploring how music can help in the world of medicine.
Jayne Flanigan
Piano
Musical and Teaching Background
From the time I can remember until I graduated from high school, I took piano lessons, learning all the classics. Even before I graduated from high school, I was playing piano and organ with my mother during Sunday morning church and at weddings.
During my 20s, I continued to play with my mother. By the time I was 30, I was playing by myself during Sunday morning church, at weddings, and at funerals. When I was ready to close my law practice in 2021, I knew I wanted to teach piano. The Hastings Community Music School was gracious enough to offer me a teaching position, which I have thoroughly enjoyed.
Tina Horrigan
Cello, violin, viola
Musical and Teaching Background
I’ve been a teacher at HCMS since 2006. I’ve taught music for over 50 years. I began music lessons at age 4 on piano. Lessons on violin, flute & cello followed, with learned abilities on other instruments. My musical background includes performing professionally with orchestras, groups, and soloing throughout Michigan along with performing in educational groups for Grand Rapids Symphony.
Additional Info
I find great joy in helping students discover their instruments and musical expression.
Beth Lepak
Violin, viola, piano
Degrees
Bachelor of Arts, Western Michigan University, 1964
Master of Arts, Michigan State University, 1972
Musical and Teaching Background
I started teaching violin and viola through private lessons after graduation from WMU and have continued teaching privately from my home since then, adding my teaching through the Hastings Community Music School in 1999 when it was set up through the Community Music School of Battle Creek. For the past 10 or so years, I have also conducted a string ensemble through the Battle Creek Youth Orchestra. The ensemble is composed of both youth and adults and our purpose is to enjoy playing music together. I have played many years in several area orchestras including the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Kalamazoo Symphony, and the Battle Creek Symphony. I have also enjoyed playing various places around Hastings, including as a “street musician” during our very musically dry summer last year and for several years as a stage musician for the Mary Youngs Scholarship Concert and “in the pit” for several Thornapple Arts Players musicals and Maple Valley H.S. musicals.
Additional Info
Our string ensemble, Music Connections String Ensemble, is always looking for new members. We have enjoyed playing for various assisted living homes and as guests at the Thornapple Wind Band’s concerts. We meet Thursday evenings at 6:30-7:30 in the Cedar Creek Bible Church’s lower level, following health department guidelines as closely as possible. If you have any experience on a bowed string instrument, join us! We’d love to have you!
Cindy Olson
Piano, voice, beginning flute
Degrees
B.A. in Music, Wittenberg University, 1991
M.A. in Church Music & M. Div., Trinity Lutheran Seminary, 2000
Musical and Teaching Background
I’ve been involved in music as long as I can remember, being in choirs since I was a little girl and starting piano lessons starting at age 5. I’ve been Minister of Music (organist, pianist, choir director) at Grace Lutheran Church, Hastings, since the fall of 2002. I started my time with HCMS as the Hastings Kids Choir director in the winter of 2004 and was asked to consider teaching piano within the year, with voice and flute added over time. I discovered my love for teaching music in this process.
Bikram Ranapheli
Guitar and bass guitar
Degrees
Bachelor in Modern Music, Visible Music College
Masters in Ministry Leadership, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary
Musical and Teaching Background
Bikram grew up listening to music and learning guitar by ear. During his time in college in Memphis, he was part of a summer touring band, recording music and traveling to different parts of the US playing music in youth camps. In 2018, he led a traveling team to different parts of the world — Nepal, Israel, India, and Prague — leading youth music workshops in each country for two weeks.
Bikram is currently serving as the worship leader at Hastings Church of the Nazarene.
