Elementary (6-11) | JSO Community Music School

Financial assistance available for all classes and lessons.

Kids’ Choir

Kids’ Choir is an opportunity for children to sing in a fun ensemble setting.

Ages: 6-8 years
Price: $400
Start Date: August 26th
End Date: May 5th
Tuesdays, 4:30pm-5:15pm

Lisa Ebener, Instructor

Mrs. Lisa Ebener is currently in her 12th year as the third through fifth grade General Music Teacher for Northwest Community Schools in Jackson, MI. She has been teaching music in public schools since 1998 after graduating from the Florida State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. In that time, Mrs. Ebener has been the Elementary and Middle School vocal music teacher for Decatur County Schools in Bainbridge Georgia, Elementary Music teacher for the Florida State University Laboratory School in Tallahassee Florida, and Elementary Music teacher for Northwest Community Schools in Jackson Michigan. She has also completed a Master’s degree in music education from the Michigan State University.

Children’s Chorale

Jackson Children’s Chorale is an opportunity for young people to learn basic principles of vocal production and to be introduced to quality choral literature. This group is co-sponsored by Jackson Chorale. In recent years the Children’s Chorale has performed with Jackson Symphony Orchestra and Jackson Community Band as well as at numerous venues including Michigan Theater of Jackson and the Governor’s Residence in Lansing.

Ages: 9-14 years
Price: $400
Start Date: August 26th
End Date: May 5th
Tuesdays, 5:15pm-6:30pm

Lisa Ebener, Instructor

Piano Explorers

This workshop is for students that are complete beginners to piano. Students will explore the fundamentals of piano such as finger numbers, the music alphabet, and basic rhythms. Students will learn new songs and have the opportunity to perform for their peers during class.

Ages: 6-10 years
Price: $60
Mondays, June 9th – August 4th
Tuesdays, June 10th – August 5th
10:30am – 11am

Marie Vavro-Clise, Instructor

Marie Vavro-Clise has a Bachelor of Science in Music from the University of Michigan. She has performed with the Detroit Opera Theater as well as performed in several countries in Europe. She enjoys teaching voice and piano to children and adults of all musical abilities.

Piano Kids

This class is for beginners on the piano. No experience needed! Students will explore the fundamentals of piano such as finger numbers, the music alphabet, and basic rhythms. Students will learn new songs and have the opportunity to perform for their peers during class.

Ages: 6-10 years
Price: $400
Mondays, September 8th – May 4th, 5pm-5:30pm
Homeschool Tuesdays, September 9th – May 5th, 1:30pm-2pm
Tuesdays, September 9th – May 5th, 5pm-5:30pm
Tuesdays, September 9th – May 5th, 5:30pm-6pm

Marie Vavro-Clise, Instructor

Piano Kids II

This is a continuation class for students that were enrolled during the spring and summer semesters in PK II classes. We will continue to strengthen note reading skills and other music theory concepts. Students will have opportunities in class to receive feedback and play for peers.

Ages: 6-10 years
Price: $400
Start Date: August 25th
End Date: May 22nd
Mondays, 5:30pm

Marie Vavro-Clise, Instructor

Pop/Rock Piano Class

No previous music experience is needed. We will explore the common chords found in Pop and Rock music. We will also explore music from today’s top pop billboard charts as well as the music of the Beatles, Imagine Dragons, Journey, and others.

Ages: 10-18 years
Price: $60
Start Date: June 9th
End Date: August 4th
Mondays, 11am – 11:30am

Marie Vavro-Clise, Instructor

Junior Strings

This intermediate String Team group is intended for 3rd and 4th-year string players who will advance their skills through ensemble-style instruction. The goal of the class is to prepare students to join the Jackson Youth Symphony Orchestra or their school’s performance groups. This ensemble will perform in at least 2 concerts per year.

Students who have not taken String Team are welcome to audition for entry. Please contact the CMS Office to arrange an audition time.

Ages: 10-14 years
Price: $400
Start Date: October 2nd
End Date: May 7th
Thursdays, 5:30pm-7pm

Paul Moodie, Instructor

Paul Moodie studied Music Education at Adrian College and Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Music Education degree from MSU and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Governors State University in Illinois. With 30 years of experience directing orchestras and teaching music in Kankakee Public Schools, Kankakee, IL, he also served as the Music Director for the production of “Quilters” (1987) at Mid-Michigan College in Harrison, MI. As a violinist, he has performed with the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, Kankakee Valley String Ensemble, and Kankakee Valley Theater, and as a violist, he has played with the Traverse City Symphony and Midland Symphony. In his free time, Paul enjoys cooking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, golf, martial arts, repairing stringed instruments, and rehabbing houses. Paul is married and has two adult children.

String Team

Inspired by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s “Power of Dreams” string programs, the CMS String Team program provides affordable group violin classes to local Jackson elementary and middle schools.

Students must provide their own instrument, if you are in need of a rental, we can assist in setting that up through SHAR Music.

Ages: 10-14 years

More information coming soon

Mark Mathias, Instructor

Mark Mathias, double bass, studied with Lawrence Hurst at the University of Michigan obtaining a Bachelor of Music Performance degree in 1974. He also holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Music Education from Eastern Michigan University and has taught violin, viola, violincello, double bass, and music technology in the Jackson Public Schools for over 20 years. He attended the Interlochen Arts Academy and, in addition to membership in the Jackson Symphony Orchestra for 23 years, has performed with the Flint Symphony, Lansing Symphony, and the Toledo Symphony.

Laura Coleman, Instructor

Laura began violin at age 4 at the JSO Community Music School where she studied through High School. While there she studied with Anne Fleming, Dr. Fangye Sun, and Dr. Ji Hyun Kim and was awarded the Mary Spring Into Music Scholarship. Laura has earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Violin from Baptist College of Ministry having studied with Elizabeth Zempel and Jamie Hoffman.

Matt Polson, Instructor

Matthew started playing violin in 1998, under the eye of Mark Mathias. He began private lessons the next year, and spent several hours at the JSO thereafter, participating in, and later co-teaching, Summer Strings. He also was a member of the Jr. Strings and JYSO. At the same time, he played in the orchestras at Parkside and Jackson High. When he was a H.S. senior, he was invited back to Parkside to guest solo with Kreisler’s Praeludium and Allegro.