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Tailored instruction

Lessons have a basic structure of what needs to be learned as a young percussionist, but lessons are also tailored to the specific goals of the students. I work with students on preparing for solo and ensemble contest, drum corps and all-state auditions, repertoire they are learning in band, and anything else that the student might want to focus on!

To me, it's important that the student has a say in their music education. If you are just drilling the basics and not targetting what also interests the student, the student is likely to not stick with his/her new instrument for long.

Lesson Structure

Lessons start with sight reading which is a very important skill that should be learned in the beginning of learning any instrument. After sight-reading, I'll usually go over what was assigned after the last lesson. If the skill I assigned has been completed, then I will introduce a new concept that will be worked on partially at the lesson. Then the student will have to dive deeper into that skill/content as homework and present it at their next lesson.

Quality Assurance

If the student commits to the practice and practice time assigned, I guarenteed that the student will improve, no matter the skill or talent level.

Practice is a key part of taking lessons. Students will learn new skills and concepts each week in their lessons, so it is crucial to their growth that they do their homework (practicing) every week.

Biography

Heather Church has been a freelance musician and teacher in the Denver and Salt Lake area for the past six years. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Dakota (2012) under Mike Blake. Additionally, she has a Master of Music and Performance Certificate in Percussion Performance from the University of Denver (2015, 2016) under John Kinzie.

Heather is a well rounded percussionist with performing and teaching experience in various ensembles. These ensembles include chamber ensembles (both percussion and mixed instruments), steel band ensemble, drum line, latin combo, wind ensemble, orchestra, pit orchestra, jazz ensemble, and so on. Heather’s teaching philosophy consists of the belief that music education is important to intellectual growth and is also a gateway to help students with their emotional health, social involvement, and moral development.

To name a few awards and special performances, Heather was a soloist with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra performing “The Glory and the Grandeur” a triple percussion concert by Russell Peck (2016), the runner-up in the University of Denver Chamber Ensemble Competition (2015), and a soloist with the Denver Concert Band performing “Stubernic” by Mark Ford (2015). In addition, she was also a finalist in the Gordon T. Parks Concerto Competition with the Arapahoe Philharmonic 2014-15, and won Outstanding Achievement in Percussion Performance Award at the University of North Dakota two years in a row (2010-11, 2011-12).

Heather has performed in various states around the country and toured China with the Denver Philharmonic as the principle percussionist. She has performed with artists such as Keith Aleo, Michael Burritt, Doug Perkins, and Steve Reich, to name a few.

Her current endeavors include teaching private and by contract, as well as, freelancing with the Utah Symphony and other various groups around the Salt Lake Valley.

$20*

Half-hour Group Lesson

Recommended for beginners 5-8th grade. Weekly lessons will be given with two other students of equal skill level. Includes technique application and group repertoire study.

$30*

Hour Group Lesson

Recommended for beginners 5-8th grade. Weekly lessons will be given with 2 other students of equal skill level. Includes group study in sight reading, technique, repertoire, music theory, and music history.

$60*

Hour Private Lesson

Recommended for intermediate - advanced middle and high school students. Weekly lessons include study in sight reading, technique, repertoire, music theory, and music history.

Heather Church | Percussion

Musician and Teacher