Elementary (6-11) | JSO Community Music School

Financial assistance available for all classes and lessons.

Children’s Chorale

Jackson Children’s Chorale is an opportunity for young people to learn basic principles of vocal production and to be introduced to quality choral literature. This group is co-sponsored by Jackson Chorale. In recent years the Children’s Chorale has performed with Jackson Symphony Orchestra and Jackson Community Band as well as at numerous venues including Michigan Theater of Jackson and the Governor’s Residence in Lansing.

Ages: 9-14
Price: $400
Start Date: August 27th
End Date: April 29th
Tuesdays 4:15-5:30 pm

Lisa Ebener, Instructor

Mrs. Lisa Ebener is currently in her 12th year as the third through fifth grade General Music Teacher for Northwest Community Schools in Jackson, MI. She has been teaching music in public schools since 1998 after graduating from the Florida State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. In that time, Mrs. Ebener has been the Elementary and Middle School vocal music teacher for Decatur County Schools in Bainbridge Georgia, Elementary Music teacher for the Florida State University Laboratory School in Tallahassee Florida, and Elementary Music teacher for Northwest Community Schools in Jackson Michigan. She has also completed a Master’s degree in music education from the Michigan State University.

Kids’ Choir

Kids’ Choir is an opportunity for children to sing in a fun ensemble setting.

Summer Session Ages 5-8:
- July 30th – August 1st
- Price: $90
- Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 9:30am-12:00 pm
Summer Session Ages 9-12:
- August 1st – August 8th
- Price: $90
- Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 9:30am-12:00 pm
Fall Semester:
- August 27th – April 29th
- Price: $400
- Tuesdays, 5:45-6:30 pm

Lisa Ebener, Instructor

Introduction to Suzuki Violin

This small group class is based upon Dr. Suzuki’s method that Every Child Can learn music when a musical environment is created. The child-parent-teacher-triangle will be established to guide and support the student’s learning. Introductory class will consist of preparatory violin group exercises/games, in addition to individual instrument learning segments, in which parents and students observe each other’s lessons. The class will include brief overviews and resources for parents on the Suzuki method. Please wait on renting/purchasing a student violin until after the classes begin, since the teacher will need to size the students.

Ages: 8-10
Price: $400
Start Date: August 30th
End Date: May 2nd
Fridays 2:30-3:30 pm

Baltia McGinty, Instructor

As a Suzuki student from a very young age with former Jackson teacher Beatrice Baker Thorpe, Baltia does not remember life without a violin. Baltia has a love for teaching the Suzuki Method of violin, which emphasizes nurturing the student’s whole character and creating a musical environment. She has completed Suzuki training Units 1-3 with the Suzuki Association of America, and is currently training in Unit 4. As a Suzuki parent and teacher to her own four children, she has learned how to create a musical environment and practice routines in the home. Baltia has experienced each role of the Suzuki triangle, which consists of the student, parent, and teacher. She has taught both private Suzuki lessons and led groups over the past 20 years. Pertaining to other arts, she studied voice with Monte Long, and performed in community theater. She plays in JSO’s Community Strings, and has played in both Albion College and Hillsdale College Orchestras. Baltia loves sharing the gift of music through the Suzuki Method with students, since it has played such an important role in her own life.

Piano Kids

This class is for beginners on the piano. No experience needed! Students will explore the fundamentals of piano such as finger numbers, the music alphabet, and basic rhythms. Students will learn new songs and have the opportunity to practice and perform with their peers. *NEW in 2023/24 – Daytime Piano Kids available for homeschooled children!

Ages: 6-10
Price: $400
Section 1: August 26th – April 28th, Mondays, 1:30-2:00 pm
Section 2: August 26th – April 28th, Mondays, 5:00-5:30 pm
Section 3: August 27th – April 29th, Tuesdays, 1:30-2:00 pm
Section 4: August 27th – April 29th, Tuesdays, 6:00-6:30 pm

Marie Vavro-Clise, Instructor

Marie Vavro-Clise has a Bachelor of Science in Music from the University of Michigan. She has performed with the Detroit Opera Theater as well as performed in several countries in Europe. She enjoys teaching voice and piano to children and adults of all musical abilities.

Piano Kids II

This class is the second year of the Piano Kids class. We will continue to strengthen note reading skills and piano technique in this class. Students will have an opportunity to practice and perform with their peers. One year of piano instruction required.

Ages: 6-10
Price: $400
Start Date: August 26th
End Date: April 28th
Mondays, 6:00-6:30 pm

Marie Vavro-Clise, Instructor

Pop/Rock Piano for Beginners

No previous music experience is needed. We will explore the common chords found in Pop and Rock music. We will also explore music from today’s top pop billboard charts as well as the music of the Beatles, Imagine Dragons, Journey, and others.

Ages: 10-18
Price: $400
Start Date: August 27th
End Date: April 29th
Tuesdays 6:30-7:00 pm

Marie Vavro-Clise, Instructor

String Team

Inspired by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s “Power of Dreams” string programs, the CMS String Team program provides affordable group violin classes to local Jackson elementary and middle schools. Students must provide their own instrument, if you are in need of a rental, we can assist in setting that up through SHAR Music.

Ages: 9-12
Price: $400
First Year String Team: September 30th – April 30th, Mons & Weds, 4:30-5:15 pm
First Year String Team: October 1st – May 1st, Tues & Thurs, 4:30-5:15 pm
Second Year String Team: September 30th – April 30th, Mons & Weds, 4:30-5:15 pm
Northwest Music Room: October 8th – May 1st, Tues & Thurs, 3:45-4:30

Mark Mathias, First Year String Team Instructor

Mark Mathias, double bass, studied with Lawrence Hurst at the University of Michigan obtaining a Bachelor of Music Performance degree in 1974. He also holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Music Education from Eastern Michigan University and has taught violin, viola, violincello, double bass, and music technology in the Jackson Public Schools for over 20 years. He attended the Interlochen Arts Academy and, in addition to membership in the Jackson Symphony Orchestra for 23 years, has performed with the Flint Symphony, Lansing Symphony, and the Toledo Symphony.

Laura Coleman, Second Year String Team Instructor

Laura began violin at age 4 at the JSO Community Music School where she studied through High School. While there she studied with Anne Fleming, Dr. Fangye Sun, and Dr. Ji Hyun Kim and was awarded the Mary Spring Into Music Scholarship. Laura has earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Violin from Baptist College of Ministry having studied with Elizabeth Zempel and Jamie Hoffman. She has performed in MSU Concert Orchestra, Kalamazoo Philharmonia, Baptist College of Ministry Chamber Strings and Orchestra, Jackson Community Strings, Mason Symphony Orchestra and multiple solo recitals. Laura has taught both private lessons and group classes and is currently a JSO CMS private instructor and String Team 2 class instructor.

Matt Polson, Northwest String Team Instructor

Matthew started playing violin in 1998, under the eye of Mark Mathias. He began private lessons the next year, and spent several hours at the JSO thereafter, participating in, and later co-teaching, Summer Strings. He also was a member of the Jr. Strings and JYSO. At the same time, he played in the orchestras at Parkside and Jackson High. When he was a H.S. senior, he was invited back to Parkside to guest solo with Kreisler’s Praeludium and Allegro.

Junior Strings

This intermediate String Team group is intended for 3rd and 4th-year string players who will advance their skills through ensemble-style instruction. The goal of the class is to prepare students to join the Jackson Youth Symphony Orchestra or their school’s performance groups. This ensemble will perform in at least 2 concerts per year.Students who have not taken String Team are welcome to audition for entry. Please contact the CMS Office to arrange an audition time.

Ages: 10-14
Price: $400
Start Date: August 26th
End Date: May 2nd
Thursdays 5:30-7:00 pm

Paul Moodie, Instructor

Paul Moodie studied Music Education at Adrian College and Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Music Education degree from MSU and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Governors State University in Illinois. With 30 years of experience directing orchestras and teaching music in Kankakee Public Schools, Kankakee, IL, he also served as the Music Director for the production of “Quilters” (1987) at Mid-Michigan College in Harrison, MI. As a violinist, he has performed with the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, Kankakee Valley String Ensemble, and Kankakee Valley Theater, and as a violist, he has played with the Traverse City Symphony and Midland Symphony. In his free time, Paul enjoys cooking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, golf, martial arts, repairing stringed instruments, and rehabbing houses. Paul is married and has two adult children.