Instructor Biographies
KIM BEMIS
Kim Bemis is the director of Musical Beginnings and the owner of Bemis Piano Studio. She has lived in Hamilton County for 27 years, 19 of those years in Westfield. She is married to Dave and they have 3 children, Shaun (26), who is married to Tracy and is in the U.S. Navy stationed in Hawaii, Laura (24), who is married to Nathan and is teaching piano in our studio and is also a licensed Kindermusik educator and Ross (20), who is married to Bonnie and works at Starbucks and is studying to get his realtor license. Kim has taught piano from her home studio for the past 17 years, both group and private lessons. Musical Beginnings has been in operation since 1998 offering classes to children newborn through age 7.
Kim studied music education at Butler University where she also received her Kindermusik training in all levels of the Kindermusik curriculum. She is a member of the Kindermusik Educators Association, and in the past has served on the executive board, KEA of Central Indiana where she is the immediate past president, Indiana Piano Guild, Music Teachers National Association, Indiana Music Teachers Association and Indiana Group Piano Teachers.
Kim's favorite role in life right now is that of Grandma to 5 little ones. Abigail (3) & Peyton (1) belong to Shaun. Keaton (2) & Taylor (6 months) belong to Laura and Kody (1) belongs to Ross. Being a Kindermusik Grandma is so much fun!!!
Kim's love of children and music is seen in both her teaching and the running of this program. She is committed to bringing the advantage of music to the young lives and families in the greater Indianapolis Metropolitan area.
top of pageSEDALIA M. BROOKS
Sedalia Brooks, a native and current resident of Indianapolis, Indiana, received a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from Bowling Green State University in May of 2002 and completed her Bachelors in Music at Kentucky State University in May of 2000. Ms. Brooks has studied under Metropolitan Opera and international opera professionals such as Wilhelmenia Fernandez, Andrew Smith, Myra Merrit, and Vertrelle Mickens.
Ms. Brooks received several awards both at Kentucky State University and Bowling Green State University including the Mary J. Robb Scholarship, Mary E. Gill Endowed Scholarship, the Florence Gazaway Memorial Scholarship, and the first Kentucky State Opera Workshop Scholarship. While at Bowling Green State University, Ms. Brooks received the Warren Allen Talent Scholarship, a Graduate Assistantship, and Pro Musica Grants on four different occasions.
Ms. Brooks has competed successfully in a number of competitions such as First Prize in the Bowling Green State University Annual Concerto Competition for 2000, the Arden J. Yockey Scholarship for Voice of the Tuesday Musical Club of Akron Scholarship Auditions for 2000, Second Prize in the Marjorie Peatee Art Song Competition for 2002, and First Prize in the Lima: Friends of the Symphony Young Artist concerto Competition for 2002.
Sedalia has performed roles such as Carmen of Carmen Jones, the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, the Countess in Le Nozze Di Figaro, and Sarah in Ragtime. Ms. Brooks has been the featured soloist performing opera, broadway and jazz with several orchestras and vocal organizations, as well as, participated in festivals and concert series programs throughout the Midwest.
top of pageDEANNA CALDWELL
Deanna Caldwell has a Bachelor of Music in viola performance from Illinois Wesleyan University, a Master of Arts in counseling ministries from Trinity International University, and has done graduate work in viola performance at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. She is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, a national honor society for music. Her teachers include Kay Kempf; Robert Swan of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Michael Hining, formerly of the Lyric Opera of Chicago; and Yuval Gotlibovich, professor of viola, Indiana University. She has also spent several summers studying chamber music with Myron Kartman, Northwestern University professor of violin, ret.
Deanna has eight years of teaching experience, having taught both from her home and at the Jack Benny Center for the Fine Arts. Currently, Deanna plays with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra and the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, where she is also the music librarian.
top of pageMANDY ENGLISH
Mandy graduated cum laude from Butler University with a degree in Elementary Education and a kindergarten endorsement. She taught first grade in Lawrence Township for 3 years and now stays home with her daughter, Ella, and her son, Kenny. Mandy choreographed the Miss Indiana Scholarship Pageant for two years and then competed in the pageant performing a ballet solo as her talent. A former Miss Limberlost, Miss Queen of Lakes, and Miss Noble County; Mandy studied, competed, performed and taught with the Tri-County Dance Academy in Kendallville, IN. Her theater performances include such titles as "Peter Pan", "Cinderella", "Funny Girl", "The Secret Garden", and she choreographed her high school's production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Mandy currently dances with Praise In Motion dance ministry.
top of pageBARBARA HAGSTROM
Barbara Hagstrom, flute teacher, has taught flute privately for five years to students ranging from beginners to advanced. Having taken lessons for nearly 19 years, Ms. Hagstrom's teachers have included Albert Saurini, Principal Flute for 35 years with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO), Francis Fitzgerald, Associate Principal with the ISO (deceased), Harry Houdeshel, Indiana University School of Music, and A. Oren Gould, Director of Music at Western Illinois University Laboratory School. Her degrees are from Carthage College, Kenosha, WI and from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
As a performer, Ms. Hagstrom has presented programs to small groups, and she has played with several groups in Indianapolis. Her solo repertoire includes compositions by composers from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Twentieth Century eras of music. Ms. Hagstrom also is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, International Women's Music Fraternity.
top of pageDARLIES AND SHANNON JONES
Darlies and Shannon Jones are alumni of the Butler University Jordan College of Fine Arts. They have over 20 years private teaching between them and are active members in the East 91st Street Christian Church brass choir, orchestra and youth handbells. Darlies works for Paige's Music store and Shannon is an assistant band director at Craig Middle School.
top of pageDOUG KING
Doug King is a musical theater actor, dancer, choreographer, and director who has worked with college and high school groups from Alabama to Fort Wayne, Ind. This experience has also taken him back to his alma mater, Ball State University, where he graduated with a theater major. Doug toured as an actor in the first national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Donnie Osmond. He has also worked very extensively as an actor in Chicago, Indianapolis, and throughout Canada. Most of his current work can be seen at Beef and Boards Dinner Theater. He has played such roles as Will Parker in Oklahoma!, Cosmo Brown in Singin' in the Rain, Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Rueben in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Frank Schultz in Show Boat, the Jester in Once Upon a Mattress, Rooster in Annie, and many more.
top of pageCAROLYN LORENZONI
Mrs. Lorenzoni is a 1995 honors graduate of the Jordan College of Fine Arts at Butler University. She has been a student of the musical arts for over 25 years performing with voice and on piano, harpsichord and organ throughout the Indianapolis community. Some of Carolyn's performances include: Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ, Clowes Hall, for the American Guild of Organists' Indianapolis Chapter and for the Sigma Alpha Iota musical fraternity.
For over 15 years, she has fulfilled several church musician roles from organist to ministry coordinator. Currently, Mrs. Lorenzoni is the Administrator for the School of Fine Arts and has been an instructor in piano, voice, organ and theory since the school's inception. In addition to the SFA ministry, Carolyn works in the worship ministry department at East 91st.
Carolyn spends most of her leisure time with friends and family, often cooking and entertaining in her home. She has received many honors for her music and volunteerism including the Sagamore of the Wabash.
top of pageWAYNE LUNDBERG
Wayne Lundberg is Organist/Handbell Director at East 91st Street Christian Church. He is a graduate of St. Cloud State University, Moody Bible Institute and Westminster Choir College. Mr. Lundberg has studied piano with Dr. Carmen Wilhite and organ with Elizabeth Naegele, Joan Lippincott and Marilyn Keiser at Indiana University. He teaches on the faculty of the East 91st Street School of Fine Arts and is a member of Indianapolis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
top of pageKATHERINE PETERS
Katherine Peters earned her degree in music education from the University of South Florida, officially beginning her career as an educator and musician. She has teaching experience in the studio, in the classroom, and in the field with individual students and groups of students, young and old. Her middle and high school students consistently receive high ratings in competition, and some have even decided to pursue careers in music and education. Mrs. Peters takes pride in turning out students who become teachers, musicians, and music lovers.
Mrs. Peters is also an active musician in the Indianapolis area. She is a clarinetist in the Indiana Wind Symphony, which performs concerts throughout the year. She occasionally plays clarinet for the Carmel Symphony Orchestra and flute, clarinet, saxophone, and piano in musical theatre pit orchestras around Indy. She loves collaborating with colleagues to perform chamber concerts, and especially enjoys playing and/or singing in worship bands.
Visit Mrs. Peters on the web: www.katherinepeters.comPEARL RIGGS
Pearl has a Bachelors degree in Physical Education with teaching minors in Dance & French. She is a former member of the Southern Illinois Dance Repertory Theatre. She also teaches fitness classes, having developed a program she teaches in schools. Pearl is an active member of East 91st St. Church in the dance ministry. She directs "Precious Hearts" dance ministry. Pearl has 3 children.
top of pageJEFF SIMMS
Jeff Simms is an enthusiastic guitarist with over 20 years of teaching experience with children and adults. To further his knowledge of music and the instrument, Jeff spent 15 years traveling the United States immersing himself in the musical heritage of the various regions. Mr. Simms has a passion for a wide variety of music including blues, Spanish flamenco, folk and rock-n-roll music and has studied with Dickey Lee and Tomas DeTamura. Jeff has been married for over 20 years and enjoys spending time with his two children as well as entertaining young audiences across Indianapolis with his magic show.
top of pageTAMI THOMPSON
Tami Thompson received two Master's of Arts Degrees from the University of Indianapolis and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods-College. She has been working with children in the fine arts field for over 10 plus years and for the past five years has taught drawing, photography and art appreciation courses for Indiana Wesleyan University APS program. She is very enthusiastic about sharing her knowledge and skills with students. She communicates well with students while demonstrating and explaining a variety of techniques in many mediums. Also, as a trained art therapist, she understands the learning process and ensures that each student is challenged to their levels of artistic ability. Tami also loves creating art with her three children and values the support of her husband in establishing Genesis Art Instruction.
top of pageBEV WOHRLE
Bev, Artistic Director/ Instructor, has a BA in Dance and Musical Theater from Indiana University. Performing credits include member of the Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, soloist for the Gregory Hancock Dance Co. and the Butler Ballet. She also performed in or choreographed productions at Marian College, IU Opera, Indpls. Opera Company, Edyvean Repertory Theater, Civic Theater, Carmel Community Players, and Footlite Musicals. She won the Encore Award for Best Dancer for her role in "Can Can". Bev has been teaching 23 yrs. and is Director of Fishers Faithful Feet Co. and Co-director of the dance ministry, "Praise in Motion" at E. 91st St. Christian Church and mother to 3 girls.
top of pageCAMI ZOOK
Cami graduated summa cum laude from Anderson University with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Spanish. She is a kindergarten teacher at Eagle Elementary School in Brownsburg, IN. Cami resides in Speedway with her husband, Seth, who is also an elementary school teacher. Dance has been a huge part of Cami's life and something she is quite passionate about. She grew up studying tap, jazz, and ballet at The Dancers' Place Dance Studio in Avon, IN. In college, she was a member of the pom squad and performed in various productions including, Guys and Dolls, The Music Man, Candles and Carols, and various productions at Eastside Church of God. At Anderson University, she also took dance classes from Roberta Wong and fellow faculty member Doug King. Cami currently dances with Praise in Motion dance ministry at East 91st Street Christian Church.
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