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2925 Kids@Heart Concert with ensembles from Columbia Music School, Carrie Conklin Piano Studio, and Missouri Academy of Music.

2024-2025 Class Information

* Please note, the length of classes are: Theory - ca. 45-50 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. Together with music teacher Andrew Weir and Ben Colagiovanni, Ayako Tsuruta continues to teach Saturday morning classes in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters, offering music classes to pre-collegiate students who want to explore more about music, and make music together. Columbia Music School is 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 9 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 ask for your private teacher's permission to take our group ensemble and/or theory classes.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

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 9:30am. Please come no later than 9:40am for Theory and 10:30am 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 11:30am.  If your child is enrolled for both classes, s/he/they will be with us during the 5-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] New students only: 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 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:
  1. ​Currently, we accommodate Four hands, one piano
  2. Four hands, two pianos
  3. Eight hands, two pianos
  4. 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.

2024-2025 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 [email protected].
​ 
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.

Kids@Heart concert will be back on May 17, Sunday at 3pm!
Program is announced in May.
Stay tuned by visiting OdysseyMissouri.org. 

Past Events & News

CONGRATLATIONS to the BNB Trio for winning the 2021 and 2020 MMTA State Competition in Chamber Music!

Thank you for a FANTASTIC first semester!