Columbia Music School

Application Form & Information

ABOUT

Columbia Music School is a program founded by Odyssey Chamber Music Series’ Artistic Director Ayako Tsuruta, supported by the MU School of Music director Dr. Julia Gaines. Together with local music teachers, Ayako Tsuruta conducts Saturday morning classes, by offering some music classes to those pre-collegiate students who want to explore more about music, and to make music together. Columbia Music School is generously sponsored by the Odyssey Chamber Music Series and the MU School of Music.

OUR MISSION
Held on Saturdays at the MU School of Music, Columbia Music School strives to provide a nurturing atmosphere with a well-structured, consistent schedule, so that you are provided quality musical education and maximize your experience to the best of your abilities.

ELIGIBILITY
Columbia Music School welcomes all pre-collegiate students interested in music. Individual instructions are recommended but not required for the classes. Please note, you must obtain your current private teacher's permission to enroll in any of our classes. We do not schedule individual lessons, but we are happy to make recommendations.

APPLICATION FORM
Please make sure you have your private teacher's permission to take our group ensemble and/or theory classes.

2022 Winter/Spring Schedule & Tuition

Non-refundable Annual Registration Fee: $50, due on January 29, 2022, unless you are a returning student this academic year.
The fee covers educational materials including books and music that will be used in classes. *Exception: Ensemble music parts and scores.

Classes are held at the MU School of Music.

All classes are elective. You will be placed in class(es) appropriate to your age and level, to the best of our abilities.

2022 Winter/Spring - 13 Classes
9:10-9:50am Theory | 10-10:40am Piano Ensembles
Jan 29 - Feb 5, 12,19, 26 - Mar 5, 12, 19, (no 26 - Spring Break)
Apr (no 2 - Spring Break), 9, 16, 23, (no 30 - MSHSAA) - May 7, 14
Snow date: May 21 (YES, and ensemble performance)
Kids@Heart: May 28 with 27th Fri 6pm dress rehearsal.

Tuition is calculated by the number of classes, due on January 29, 2022.

FAQ (may not be applicable during the pandemic)

Q. When and where do we meet for the first time? Do I need to bring anything?
A. We will meet at the MU School of Music, in Room #146 on the ground floor, for the class you are interested in enrolling. Due to some paperwork, Ayako will be in the building sometime after 9am. Please come no later than 9:10am for Theory and 10am for Piano Ensemble. You do not need to bring anything; we will provide all sheet music, pencils and paper - but if you prefer your own, you may bring them.

Please note, We are only responsible for your child as students who are enrolled and physically in the classroom. For example, please ensure your child is picked up on time after all the classes are finished, no later than 10:45am. If your child is enrolled for both classes, s/he/they will be with us during the 10-minute break.

Q. How do I know what level my child is for all the classes?
A. On the first day of the class, we will be assessing your child's knowledge. It will not necessarily be a "test" however; we like to see his/her/their response we receive in a classroom setting, so that we can also analyze how one copes in a group class.

[Piano Ensemble] We will ask a student to play something they are comfortable playing, followed by some questions which help instructors assess what kind of partner and pieces will be appropriate for the ensemble class.

Q. May I enroll in the middle of the semester?
A. We regret we generally do not accept students in the middle of the semester. While there is usually no flexibility for the piano ensembles, it is possible to accommodate Theory students. Parents will be responsible for paying the registration fee and the number of classes students participate.

Q. I do not currently have a private teacher for my child. May I still enroll?
A. Yes. We try to provide extra help to those who need more attention and/or time understanding concepts such as a pattern of a scale - which may be emphasized more if there were a private teacher to remind the student. For Piano Ensembles, we do the best we can to choose a piece that does not necessary require practice outside of the classroom - unless, of course, there is an understanding between the students and his/her partner that they will each devote a certain practice time over the week, so that they will keep improving. While we accommodate beginners, advanced students are also very welcome.

[Chamber Music] Please note: Currently chamber music enrollment is pre-arranged and scheduled privately on other times than Saturday mornings. Tuition varies according to the individual instructor's fee.

Piano Ensembles

In Piano Ensembles, new students will consult with instructors before you are partnered with another pianist. If you already have a partner, please let us know before September.
You will be assigned 1 or 2 pieces, to learn to play nd work with each other, and play in front of a class. There will be a small recital for our families on the last class of the semester.
Everyone will be given some coaching time, as well as some time to practice on your own - contingent on the current CDC and City of Columbia health recommendation.
Coaches will include all CMS instructors.

Available configurations, to be assigned:

Currently, we accommodate Four hands, one piano
Four hands, two pianos
Eight hands, two pianos
Six hands, one piano

Theory

There will be at least two Theory classes.
Placement test will be given on the first day.
Open to students ages 10 to 18. Classes are divided according to individual knowledge; age will also be taken into consideration.
Permission from your current private teacher is required.
Learn the basics of Theory while expanding your hearing and knowledge of music literature.

Chamber Music

Register by June 1, in advance, by talking to Ms. Ayako. Ideally music will be sent to you over the summer for you to learn your part.
Open to all students of all instruments ages 12 and above. If there is an interested vocalist, we will consider making an exception based on your audition.
Consent and support from your private teacher is required.
Non-pianists must provide his/her own instrument.
Limited enrollment; availability dependent on the number of interested personnel.
Due to limited space, chamber music at the Music School should not exceed more than 4 members total.
Coaches will vary according to the configuration of the ensemble.

2022 Instructors

* If you are a music teacher with a Master's degree, passionate about music education in our community and interested in teaching at Columbia Music School, we are interested too. Please contact Ayako Tsuruta with your resume and statement of interest, and e-mail to info@OdysseyMissouri.org.

AYAKO TSURUTA (Ms. Ayako)
Founder of Odyssey's Columbia Music School, Ms. Ayako is a pianist, Executive and Artistic Director of Odyssey Chamber Music Series and a private piano instructor in Columbia, Missouri. Credentials include Artist Diploma and Masters of Music from Yale University School of Music, and Bachelor of Music from the Juilliard School.

https://www.ayakotsuruta.com/

ANDREW WEIR (Mr. Andrew)
After graduating from Butler University in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in music business, Andrew Weir moved to Columbia to continue his music career with the bands Bockman and Joe Stickley's Blue Print; both bands have toured the country multiple times playing popular clubs and national festivals in support of 12 full-length studio albums in the past seventeen years. In 2009 he became keyboard player of Backyard Tire Fire while promoting the album Good to Be, produced by Grammy Award-winner Steve Berlin of Los Lobos. During that time, the band played on NPR's famous program Mountain Stage and performed at many festivals opening up for such artists as Medeski, Martin, & Wood, Los Lobos, Cracker, and Willie Nelson.

In the summer of 2020, Andrew finished a master’s degree in Piano Pedagogy at the University of Missouri while studying piano with Dr. Peter Miyamoto. While studying with Dr. Miyamoto, Andrew received Honorable Mention at the 2018 Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) State Piano Solo Competition.

BRANDON KIM (Mr. Brandon)
Brandon Kim is a violinist, pianist, and composer. He was the winner of the 2018 Missouri Music Teachers Association competition for the Junior String Division and the Runner Up of the 2020 and 2019 MMTA for the Senior String Division. Brandon was selected for the 2020 NAfME All National Symphony Orchestra and the Missouri All State Orchestra for three consecutive years. He has played at the Hot Summer Nights Festival and the Symphony of Toys concert with the Missouri Symphony since 2018. He is not only an avid instrumental player, but also a composer. Brandon has composed various instrumental compositions since age 10, and has received numerous awards including in the MTNA and NFMC National Composition Competitions.