Elementary (6-11) | JSO Community Music School

Financial assistance available for all classes and lessons.

Children’s Chorale – Workshop

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.

Ages: 9-14
Price: $160
Session days: July 31-August 3
Time: 9:30 am-12:00 pm
Instructor: Jackie Livesay & Nichole Thompson
Accompanist: Jana Graves

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.

Ms. Livesay is a retired Jackson Public Schools elementary music educator. She received the JPS Outstanding Elementary Educator Award in 2001. In addition to public school teaching and church music ministries, she has also taught pre-school music, college classes, and private organ and piano lessons.

Kids’ Choir – Workshop

Kids’ Choir is an opportunity for children in grades K-3 to sing in a fun ensemble setting. Sign up for both weeks and get the second week half price! Get your Bring-a-Friend pass from Mrs. Ebener and bring a friend for free.

Ages: 4-8
Price: $90/Session
Session 1: August 1-3
Session 2: August 8-10
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:30 am-12:00 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.

Piano Kids – 8 Week Class

This is a continuation class for students that were enrolled during the fall and spring semesters. We will continue to strengthen note reading skills in the class. Students will have opportunities in class to receive feedback and play for their peers.

Ages: 6-10
Price: $48
Start date: June 13
End date: August 8
Tuesdays 12-12:30 pm
Instructor: Marie Vavro

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.

Pop & Rock Beginner Piano – 4 Week 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+
Price: $48
Start date: June 13
End date: July 11
Tuesdays 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Instructor: Marie Vavro

Marie Vavro-Clise, Instructor

Pop & Rock Intermediate Piano – 4 Week Class

This is for students that have had 2 years of piano instruction. We will explore music from today’s top pop billboard charts as well as music from Queen, Journey, Beatles, etc. We will identify more complicated scales and chords that can be found in the music.

Ages: 10+
Price: $48
Start date: June 15
End date: July 13
Thursdays 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Instructor: Marie Vavro

Marie Vavro-Clise, Instructor

Pop Culture Beginner Piano – 4 Week Class

No previous music experience is needed. We will explore common chords found in different pop culture music. We will explore music from different pop culture sources such as video games, movies such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, etc.

Ages: 10+
Price: $48
Start date: July 18
End date: August 8
Tuesdays 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Instructor: Marie Vavro

Marie Vavro-Clise, Instructor

Pop Culture Intermediate Piano – 4 Week Class

This class is for students that have had at least 2 years of piano instruction. We will explore music from different pop culture sources such as video games, movies such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, Encanto, etc. We will identify and look at more complicated chords and chord progressions that can be found in the music.

Ages: 10+
Price: $48
Start date: July 20
End date: August 10
Thursdays 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Instructor: Marie Vavro

Marie Vavro-Clise, Instructor

Piano Explorers I – 4 Week Class

This class 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
Price: $48
Start date: June 13
End date: July 13
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:30-11:00 am
Instructor: Marie Vavro

Marie Vavro-Clise, Instructor

Piano Explorers II – 4 Week Class

Ages: 6-10
Price: $48
Start date: July 18
End date: August 10
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:30-11:00 am
Instructor: Marie Vavro

Marie Vavro-Clise, Instructor

Fiddle Camp – Workshop

This class is for anyone who has had at least 1 year of string instruction. Students must be able to read music. Music for this class will consist of all types of folk music such as American Fiddle Tunes, Irish and Scottish Airs, Jigs and Reels, Nordic Roots and anything else from the Folk music traditions. It’s all about FUN!

22/23 String Team students will receive an automatic 50% discount at registration.

Ages: 10-18
Price: $200
Session dates: July 10-13
Time: 9:30 am-12:00 pm
Instructors: Matt Polson, Paul Moodie, & Jed Fritzemeier

Jed Fritzemeier, Instructor

Since 2019, Jed has been the Director of the Community Music School and Director of Music Education for the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. A performing bassist, Jed plays with the orchestra in addition to free-lancing throughout the area. He was a public school orchestra teacher for 34 years finishing his career for the Chelsea School District, Chelsea, Mi. Jed was Teacher of the Year for the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association and the Michigan American String Teachers Association in 2008. In addition to the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, his performance credits include the Michigan Opera Theater, Toledo Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony, Racine Symphony, Racine, Wisconsin, South Dakota Symphony, Sioux Falls, South Dakota and various festival orchestras, jazz ensembles, rock bands, polka bands since he was 15 years old.

Summer Strings – Workshop

This class is designed to improve music reading skills and violin technique. This class is for anyone who has had at least 1 year of string instruction. Students must be able to read music.

22/23 String Team students will receive an automatic 50% discount at registration.

Ages: 10-14
Price: $200
Session dates: June 26-29
Time: 9:30 am-12:00 pm
Instructors: Mark Mathias & Matt Polson

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.