Elementary (6-11) | JSO Community Music School

Financial assistance available for all classes and lessons.

Kids’ Choir

Kids’ Choir offers a wonderful opportunity for children in grades K-3 to learn to sing in a fun and social setting. Through play-based learning activities, they discover the joy of music and singing in an ensemble.

Ages: 4-8
Price: $400/year ($50/month)
Start Date: August 31st
End Date: April 25th
Thursdays 6:30-7:15 pm

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
Price: $400/year ($50/month)
Start Date: September 12th
End Date: April 23rd
Tuesdays 4:30-5:15 pm

Jackie Livesay, Instructor

Jackie Livesay holds a Bachelor of Music degree at Westminster Choir College and a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan. Both degrees are in Church Music with Organ as the principle instrument. She also obtained a Master of Arts in Education degree from Spring Arbor University. Livesay currently is the Minister of Children’s Music and Organist at First United Methodist Church, Jackson, as well as serving as Orff Music Director at First Presbyterian Church, Jackson. She has directed Jackson Chorale Children’s Choir for the past five years.

First Year 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 school students in downtown Jackson. This class runs through the fall and spring semester.

Ages: 9-12
Price: $400/year ($50/month)

String Team A

Start Date: October 2nd
End Date: April 24th
Mondays & Wednesdays 4:30-5:15 pm

String Team B

Start Date: October 3rd
End Date: April 25th
Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:30-5:15 pm

Northwest Elementary

Start Date: October 3rd
End Date: April 25th
Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:45-4:30 pm
Located in the Northwest Elementary Music Room
Taught by Matthew Polson

*Paragon students must call the CMS Office at (517) 783-3221 to receive the discounted Paragon pricing.

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.

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, I was invited back to Parkside to guest solo with Kreisler’s Praeludium and Allegro. While he was in these Jr. High and High School orchestras, he always dreamed of playing on the Potter Center stage. He never dreamed that one concert would include a bat flying around the auditorium, or that Maestro would return from that concert’s intermission with a tennis racket.

Second Year String Team

For students who have completed First Year 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. String Teams meet right at your child’s school and are led by CMS faculty.

Ages: 9-12
Price: $400/year ($50/month)
Start Date: October 2nd
End Date: April 24th
Mondays & Wednesdays 4:30-5:15 pm

*Paragon students must call the CMS Office at (517) 783-3221 to receive the discounted Paragon pricing.

Laura Coleman, Instructor

Junior Strings

This class is intended for students who have taken 2 years of String Team. Students will advance their skills performing in a class instruction environment. This ensemble will perform at least 2 concerts per year.

Ages: 10-14
Price: $400/year ($50/month)
Start Date: October 5th
End Date: April 25th
Thursdays 5:30-7:00 pm

*Paragon students must call the CMS Office at (517) 783-3221 to receive the discounted Paragon pricing.

Paul Moodie, Instructor

Studied Music Education at Adrian College and Michigan State University
Bachelor of Music Education Degree from MSU
Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Governors State University, Illinois
30 years directing orchestras and teaching music in Kankakee Public Schools, Kankakee, IL.
Music Director for production of “Quilters” (1987) Mid-Michigan College, Harrison, MI.

Youth Beginning Guitar

Are you interested in jamming to your favorite country or rock artist? How about some solos with Blues legends? Or would you like to accompany other musicians in your family? Join our group beginner guitar classes to learn how to play and learn about guitar history and styles. No experience is required!

We’ll work on strumming patterns, fingerpicking, basic open chords, how to read tabs and music, how to tune your instrument, how to improvise and last but not least we will learn to play popular songs in different genres!

Ages: 12-17
Price: $160/semester
Start Date: August 31st
End Date: December 21st
Thursdays 7:10-7:55 pm

Onur Alakavuklar, Instructor

Dr. Onur Alakavuklar is a guitarist and music educator. Onur Alakavuklar holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Guitar Performance with a Jazz-emphasized minor in Music Education from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Onur has claimed prizes in chamber music competitions and has performed with The Atlanta Opera, Indiana University Philharmonic Orchestra, and various chamber music groups internationally. He has performed in Musical Theater bands, Jazz Bands and had solo recitals in Europe, Asia, and U.S.A.

Beginning Violin

This class is for beginners on the violin. No experience is needed! Students will learn the basics of violin and focus on ear training. Students will learn new songs and have the opportunity to practice and perform with their peers during class.

*Students need to provide their own instruments. CMS recommends renting through SHAR Instruments in Ann Arbor. SHAR will deliver and pick up your rentals from JSO.

Ages: 7-9 or 10-12
Price: $160/semester
Capacity: 6
Start Date: September 11th
End Date: December 11th
Mondays 2:00-2:45 pm (Ages 7-9)
Mondays 3:00-3:45 pm (Ages 10-12)

7-9 Year Old Registration

10-12 Year Old Registration

Lily Zhu, Instructor

Pop/Rock Piano for Beginners

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
Price: $400/year ($50/month)
Start Date: August 31st
End Date: April 25th
Thursdays 6:00-6:30 pm

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. Due to popularity, we offer multiple sections of this class at different times, select the day and time that works best for you and then look for the corresponding section # when you register.

Ages: 6-10
Price: $400/year ($50/month)

Monday Homeschool Section

Start Date: August 28th
End Date: April 22nd
Monday 1:30-2:00 pm
Section #: PK.HS.M

Monday Section A

Start Date: August 28th
End Date: April 22nd
Monday 5:30-6:00 pm
Section #: PK.M1

Monday Section B

Start Date: August 28th
End Date: April 22nd
Monday 6:00-6:30 pm
Section #: PK.M2

Tuesday Homeschool Section

Start Date: August 29th
End Date: April 23rd
Tuesday 2:00-2:30 pm
Section #: PK.HS.T

Tuesday Section A

Start Date: August 29th
End Date: April 23rd
Tuesday 6:00-6:30 pm
Section #: PK.T1

Tuesday Section B

Start Date: August 29th
End Date: April 23rd
Tuesday 6:30-7:00 pm
Section #: PK.T2

Marie Vavro-Clise, Instructor

Piano Kids II

This class is the second year of the piano kids class. We will continue to strengthen note reading skills and piano technique in this class. Students will have an opportunity to practice and perform with their peers.

Ages: 6-10
Price: $400/year ($50/month)

Section A

Start Date: August 28th
End Date: April 22nd
Mondays 6:30-7:00 pm

Section B

Start Date: August 29th
End Date: April 23rd
Tuesdays 7:00-7:30 pm