Teacher Bios

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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, Isreal, 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.

Degrees
Bachelor in Music Education, Central Michigan University
Masters in Music Education, Michigan State University

Musical and Teaching Background
I was an instrumental music teacher for 33 years many of those years as a band director in the Hastings Area schools. Prior to that I had short stints at Muskegon Catholic and the Marcellus Community Schools. I have taught private lessons both in person and virtually along with sectional work for area schools. I have been with HCMS for close to two years now.

Additional Info
I also perform in the Thornapple Jazz Orchestra, a recorder ensemble, the Hastings summer Band, and the Thornapple Winds. I also participate in a number of music ensembles when needed in the area. I run sound and record video for the Gull Lake Inited Methodist Church.

My life is not all music. I walk every day, gravel and road bike, show/train dogs and am an equestrian.

Degrees
B.A. in Education, Michigan State University
Masters in Education, Loyola University Chicago

Musical and Teaching Background
I have taught beginning guitar at HCMS for fifteen years now. I also direct music at St. Rose Catholic Church, have sung with Opera Grand Rapids for 13 years, and am in many plays and musicals with Thornapple Players. I also organize the Mary Youngs Benefit Concert. I love teaching music and making music with others.