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FALL 2023 Class Information
* Please fill out the application form, and e-mail to: info@OdysseyMissouri.org
*While the classes are being confirmed, length of classes will change to: Theory - ca. 35 min, and Piano Ensemble - 60 min.
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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, age 10 or older. 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.
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.
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
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Theory
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Chamber Music
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2023 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 Columbia Music School, Ms. Ayako is a pianist, 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/ |
BEN COLAGIOVANNI (Mr. Ben)
Ben Colagiovanni is a composer and pianist currently based in Kansas City, Missouri. A graduate of the Mizzou School of Music, Ben has had his compositions performed by several notable ensembles, including the St. Louis Symphony, Deviant Septet, and Zodiac Trio, as well as multiple jazz luminaries including Christian McBride, Sean Jones, and Randy Brecker. Prior to moving to Kansas City, Ben spent 4 years in Los Angeles studying jazz improvisation and composition privately with Grammy nominated pianist Alan Pasqua. He has also been mentored by Hal Crook and Gretchen Parlato. |
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. |
Kristen Yu (Ms. Kristen)
Kristen Yu is a senior at Rock Bridge High School. She studied the piano with Ayako Tsuruta, and previously with Mabel Kinder starting at the age of five. Kristen received the Silver Award in the 2022 WPTA Finland International Piano Competition in 2022. In the 2021 MMAMTA/Odyssey Pre-Collegiate Aria/Concerto Competition, she was the Winner. Kristen has also been both four times of the State Winner and Runner-Up, as well as Honorable Mention twice in the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) piano state competition. She performed in the pre-concert of the Odyssey Chamber Music Series Season 18 in October 2021. Her excellence performance was also recognized by the Most Promising Musician award and scholarship in the 2019 Missouri Symphony Piano Showcase, as well as receiving the 10-year performance award in 2021. Kristen has actively participated in piano Guild and National Federation for eleven years, in which she earned a superior rating in both solo and concerto continually. She was the Alternative Winner in the 2022 National Federation Festival. |
CONGRATLATIONS to the BNB Trio for winning the 2021 and 2020 MMTA State Competition in Chamber Music!
