Due to COVID-19, Columbia Music School has sadly decided to suspend all of its classes for the remainder of the semester. Please be safe, everyone!
We will likely resume classes in January, 2021. This web page is currently work-in-progress.
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 highly 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
Online applications will be available sometime after October 2020.
2021 Spring Schedule & Tuition
Non-refundable Annual Registration Fee: $50
The fee covers educational materials including books and music that will be used in classes. *Exception: Ensemble music parts and scores.
The fee covers educational materials including books and music that will be used in classes. *Exception: Ensemble music parts and scores.
Classes are generally held at the MU School of Music.
Location is TBA for those dates marked with (*).
All classes are elective. You will be placed in class(es) appropriate to your age and level, to the best of our abilities.
Tentative dates: 2021 Winter/Spring: 16 Classes
Due to COVID-19, it may be necessary to postpone the beginning of in-person classes to March 2021. I would like to start meeting in January, either in-person or online, depending on where we are with the pandemic.
7 classes: Jan 16, 23, 30 - Feb 6, 13, 20, 27
9 classes: Mar 6, (no 13), 20, (no 27) - Apr (no 3), 10, 17, 24 - May 1, 8, 15, 22
Tuition is calculated by the number of classes, due on the first day of the Semester.
Location is TBA for those dates marked with (*).
All classes are elective. You will be placed in class(es) appropriate to your age and level, to the best of our abilities.
Tentative dates: 2021 Winter/Spring: 16 Classes
Due to COVID-19, it may be necessary to postpone the beginning of in-person classes to March 2021. I would like to start meeting in January, either in-person or online, depending on where we are with the pandemic.
7 classes: Jan 16, 23, 30 - Feb 6, 13, 20, 27
9 classes: Mar 6, (no 13), 20, (no 27) - Apr (no 3), 10, 17, 24 - May 1, 8, 15, 22
Tuition is calculated by the number of classes, due on the first day of the Semester.
FAQ
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*** (see below) on the ground floor, for the class you are interested in enrolling. Due to some paperwork, Ayako will be in the building sometime after 8:50am. Please come no later than 9am for Intermediate Theory, 9:10am for Introduction to Music, 10am for Piano Ensemble, and 10:55am for Composers Up Close (History). 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 of course.
***Due to String Project Open House, just for September 7, we will meet upstairs in Room 208 and 209.
Please note, We are only responsible for your child as students who are enrolled and physically in the classroom. For example. if there is an hour break for the student between Theory and History classes, please arrange for a guardian to be present with the child during the wait.
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 how much your child knows. It will not necessarily be a test however; we like to see his/her response we receive in a classroom setting, so that we can also analyze how one copes in a group class. [Theory] Generally if the child has taken lessons less than 5 years, s/he likely belongs to the Introduction to Music class at 9:10am; currently Intermediate Theory is identifying chords and analyzing simple harmonic chord progression. [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. I do not currently have a private teacher for my child. May I still enroll?
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 on other times than Saturday mornings.
A. We will meet at the MU School of Music, in Room #146*** (see below) on the ground floor, for the class you are interested in enrolling. Due to some paperwork, Ayako will be in the building sometime after 8:50am. Please come no later than 9am for Intermediate Theory, 9:10am for Introduction to Music, 10am for Piano Ensemble, and 10:55am for Composers Up Close (History). 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 of course.
***Due to String Project Open House, just for September 7, we will meet upstairs in Room 208 and 209.
Please note, We are only responsible for your child as students who are enrolled and physically in the classroom. For example. if there is an hour break for the student between Theory and History classes, please arrange for a guardian to be present with the child during the wait.
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 how much your child knows. It will not necessarily be a test however; we like to see his/her response we receive in a classroom setting, so that we can also analyze how one copes in a group class. [Theory] Generally if the child has taken lessons less than 5 years, s/he likely belongs to the Introduction to Music class at 9:10am; currently Intermediate Theory is identifying chords and analyzing simple harmonic chord progression. [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. I do not currently have a private teacher for my child. May I still enroll?
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 on other times than Saturday mornings.
Piano Ensembles
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Theory & Sight Singing
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Chamber Music
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2021 Instructors will be confirmed in December.
* 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)
Pianist and Artistic Director of Odyssey Chamber Music Series and 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. |
ALISON ROBUCK (Dr. Alison)
Dr. Alison Robuck teaches at Central Methodist University and for the Missouri Symphony Conservatory. As oboe faculty for Ameropa, a three-week summer chamber music festival in Prague, she has performed solo and chamber concerts in many locations around the city including several in the Prague Castle, the Brevnov Monastery and in the Rudolfinum's Dvořák Hall. |
LIEN HSIN 'EMILY' LEE (Ms. Emily)
Lien Hsin (Emily) Lee is a senior at Rock Bridge High School. She majored in piano with minor in viola during her third through sixth grade at a gifted and talented music elementary school in Taiwan before moving to the United States. Beginning in 3rd grade, Emily has studied with Ayako Tsuruta. Emily has won several prominent awards in piano. She was the State Winner in 2017 and 2014, and Honorable Mention in 2016 for the MMTA piano solo competitions in her grades, and performed in the 2014, 2016 and 2017 Piano Showcase concerts. |
Substitute Instructors (TBA)
