Christopher Stafford
Piano
Chris is the founder and owner of the
Stafford Music Academy. With an
undergraduate degree in Music
Composition, and Graduate Degrees in
Music Theory and Film Composition,
he brings a breadth of musical
understanding to his students. He began
studying Suzuki piano when he was four
years old, and has also studied trumpet,
euphonium, and tuba.
Piano
Chris is the founder and owner of the
Stafford Music Academy. With an
undergraduate degree in Music
Composition, and Graduate Degrees in
Music Theory and Film Composition,
he brings a breadth of musical
understanding to his students. He began
studying Suzuki piano when he was four
years old, and has also studied trumpet,
euphonium, and tuba.
| Meryl Krieger Piano/ Clarinet Meryl finished her Ph.D. in Folklore and Ethnomusicology in 2009. She also has degrees in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Music Theory, Communications, and Anthropology. Having taught piano since 1992, Meryl brings an incredible amount of experience to the Stafford Music Academy, where she has been teaching since January of 2006. Meryl is also very active as a performer with local theater groups |
Cynthia Hrabak
Piano
Cynthia has been teaching piano for
over thirty years, and is an expert in the
field of young children's music programs.
She received Kindermusik training under
the program's writer and founder Lorna
Heyge. She is also trained and certified
in the Yamaha Music Education System.
Cindy is the music director at McDoel
Baptist Church, and sings soprano in the
Bloomington Chamber Singers.
Cindy has been teaching for the Stafford
Music Academy since March of 2006.
Piano
Cynthia has been teaching piano for
over thirty years, and is an expert in the
field of young children's music programs.
She received Kindermusik training under
the program's writer and founder Lorna
Heyge. She is also trained and certified
in the Yamaha Music Education System.
Cindy is the music director at McDoel
Baptist Church, and sings soprano in the
Bloomington Chamber Singers.
Cindy has been teaching for the Stafford
Music Academy since March of 2006.
| Nina Zhou Piano Nina received her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Oberlin Conservatory. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree, also in Piano Performance, at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where she is an Associate Instructor of Piano. At Oberlin, Nina placed second in their Mozart 250th Anniversary Piano Concerto Competition. She was a winner of the 2007 Oberlin Concerto Competition, which gave her the opportunity to perform Prokofiev’s Concerto No.1 with the Oberlin Orchestra, under the baton of Bridget-Michaele Reischl. |
Joel Thoreson
Violin/Piano
Joel received his undergraduate and graduate
degrees in Violin Performance from Central
Washington University. In addition to serving as
concertmaster of the Central Washington
University Symphony Orchestra, the
multi-talented Joel also taught music theory,
violin, voice, and piano, and is a published
composer of choral music. The breadth of his
education and the diversity of his musical
experiences make Joel a valuable addition to the
Stafford Music Academy!
Violin/Piano
Joel received his undergraduate and graduate
degrees in Violin Performance from Central
Washington University. In addition to serving as
concertmaster of the Central Washington
University Symphony Orchestra, the
multi-talented Joel also taught music theory,
violin, voice, and piano, and is a published
composer of choral music. The breadth of his
education and the diversity of his musical
experiences make Joel a valuable addition to the
Stafford Music Academy!
| Tina Chong Piano . Hailed as a “paradigm of lyricism” by the Charleston Gazette, pianist Tina Chong has established herself as an upcoming young artist in North America. After her orchestral debut at the age of nine, Tina has appeared as a guest soloist numerous times with orchestras throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. She has performed in worldwide venues such as the Sheldon Center in St. Louis, the Sala Chopin in Mexico City, and most recently, she was invited to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. |
Jessica Prus
Flute, Piano
Jessica has studied flute for fourteen years, and has
been teaching for ten. She has also been studying
piano since she was in middle school. She holds
undergraduate and graduate degrees in Flute
Performance from Northwestern University and the
University of Louisville. She is currently pursuing a
Master of Science in Music Education degree which
she expects to complete in 2012. Her major flute
teachers include Rhian Kenny, Walfrid Kujala,
Kathryn Lukas, and Tom Robertello.
Flute, Piano
Jessica has studied flute for fourteen years, and has
been teaching for ten. She has also been studying
piano since she was in middle school. She holds
undergraduate and graduate degrees in Flute
Performance from Northwestern University and the
University of Louisville. She is currently pursuing a
Master of Science in Music Education degree which
she expects to complete in 2012. Her major flute
teachers include Rhian Kenny, Walfrid Kujala,
Kathryn Lukas, and Tom Robertello.
Piano/Voice
Timothy Arena is a composer, pianist, singer,
conductor, and organist who has been teaching
piano for all ages and levels for the past 11
years. He holds degrees of a B.S. in Music
Education, emphasis in piano, from Southern
Adventist University and an M.A. in Choral
Conducting from Indiana University. He was
also an Associate Instructor in Music Theory, his
cognate field, at IU. Several of Tim’s
compositions have been performed in
Bloomington, both in area churches and at the
Jacobs School of Music.
Timothy Arena is a composer, pianist, singer,
conductor, and organist who has been teaching
piano for all ages and levels for the past 11
years. He holds degrees of a B.S. in Music
Education, emphasis in piano, from Southern
Adventist University and an M.A. in Choral
Conducting from Indiana University. He was
also an Associate Instructor in Music Theory, his
cognate field, at IU. Several of Tim’s
compositions have been performed in
Bloomington, both in area churches and at the
Jacobs School of Music.
Nina has enjoyed teaching privately for over 6 years and is currently also an
instructor in the Young Pianist Pre-college Program at Jacobs School of Music.
instructor in the Young Pianist Pre-college Program at Jacobs School of Music.
Tina finished her undergraduate studies in piano performance at the Oberlin
Conservatory of Music and her Masters degree at Indiana University. She
is now enrolled in the Artist Diploma program under the tutelage of Arnaldo
Cohen. She enjoys serving as an associate instructor at the Jacobs School
of Music, where for three years, she has taught a variety of levels in the
classroom and private setting. Tina is excited to share her passion for music
and love of teaching with members of the Bloomington community.
Conservatory of Music and her Masters degree at Indiana University. She
is now enrolled in the Artist Diploma program under the tutelage of Arnaldo
Cohen. She enjoys serving as an associate instructor at the Jacobs School
of Music, where for three years, she has taught a variety of levels in the
classroom and private setting. Tina is excited to share her passion for music
and love of teaching with members of the Bloomington community.
Currently, Chris plays and sings with a number of community musical groups, and
works as a composer/arranger. In addition, he serves on the board of the Southern
Indiana Wind Ensemble.
works as a composer/arranger. In addition, he serves on the board of the Southern
Indiana Wind Ensemble.
Currently Joel works as a professional piano accompanist for students at IU's
Jacobs School of Music, and sings tenor in the Bloomington Chamber Singers.
Jacobs School of Music, and sings tenor in the Bloomington Chamber Singers.
Tim has been teaching piano in Bloomington since 2006, and has been playing the
piano and organ, composing, singing, and conducting in Bloomington since 2000.
He enjoys encouraging and strengthening the innate capacities for music in his
students and watching them learn and grow while striving for excellence.
piano and organ, composing, singing, and conducting in Bloomington since 2000.
He enjoys encouraging and strengthening the innate capacities for music in his
students and watching them learn and grow while striving for excellence.
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Stafford Music Academy
Bloomington, IN
(812) 339-2505
Hours:
M-F, 2-7pm or by appt.
Bloomington, IN
(812) 339-2505
Hours:
M-F, 2-7pm or by appt.
| -Our Teachers- |
We are very proud to offer some of the best music
instructors in Southern Indiana. The esteemed
Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University
produces truly world-class performers every year.
We choose from among these fantastic musicians
to find those who also make great teachers.
instructors in Southern Indiana. The esteemed
Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University
produces truly world-class performers every year.
We choose from among these fantastic musicians
to find those who also make great teachers.
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| Laura Willms Piano/Guitar/Voice Laura Willms received her Bachelors of Music Education, voice emphasis, from the University of Kansas and brings over 8 years of classroom, volunteer and private teaching expertise to her studio. The past few years, she shifted her educational focus from classroom to performance and private |
| teaching and is currently a student of Patricia Stiles at IU. She is constantly thankful for her diverse music background and tastes that include piano, choir, and marching band. Although most of her teaching has been with middle school, she is excited to share her love of music and life with all ages and abilities. |
Jessica currently performs with the Evansville Philharmonic and Columbus
Philharmonic Orchestras. She has also performed with the Owensboro Symphony
Orchestra and the Bowling Green Chamber Orchestra in Kentucky. Jessica is a
regular clinician for area high schools and youth orchestras.
Philharmonic Orchestras. She has also performed with the Owensboro Symphony
Orchestra and the Bowling Green Chamber Orchestra in Kentucky. Jessica is a
regular clinician for area high schools and youth orchestras.