The Young Scholars program offers interactive classes on the TJ campus for curious 3- and 4-year-olds. These classes focus on school readiness skills and fun through crafts, songs, and read-aloud activities. Enrollment is limited so please register early.

Classes are taught by TJ faculty members and hosted on the TJ campus.

REGISTER HERE

Kids College offers two-hour, one-day-only Saturday enrichment opportunities on the TJ campus for curious children currently in grades K-2. The cost is $15 per child, per session. Enrollment is limited so please register early.

Classes are taught by TJ faculty members and hosted on the TJ campus.

REGISTER HERE

Open to all current 3rd through 5th graders in the Four-States region, TJ’s Destination Discovery program delivers exciting and engaging classes on Saturday Mornings several times each year. Enrollment is limited so please register early.

Classes are taught by TJ faculty members and hosted on the TJ campus.

REGISTER HERE

To help your child continue to grow academically over the summer months, TJ offers the Summer Discovery Academy. The Academy offers engaging and exciting courses and trips for Lower School through Upper School students. Both half- and full-day programs are offered.

Click to register for classes

The TJ Music Academy is an after-school and summer program that offers private music instruction to the youth and adults of Joplin and the surrounding area. We offer lessons in strings, voice, woodwinds, and guitar that take place in our lovely facilities with our experienced faculty. Lessons rates are $40 per hour, $30 for a 45-minute, and $20 for a 30-minute lesson. Lessons are scheduled after school with the private instructor based on his or her availability. We offer many performance opportunities including recitals and music festivals, and we encourage a strong work ethic and a passion for music.

Register for the TJ Music Academy here.

Academy Staff

Rebecca Cutler

Rebecca Cutler, violin/viola, holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from Pittsburg State University and a Master of Degree in Violin Performance and Orchestral Conducting from Illinois State University. Her primary teachers have been Ben Sayevich, Sarah Gentry, Selim Giray, (violin), Glenn Block, and Craig Fuchs (conducting). Miss Cutler has been a private violin and viola instructor for more than 10 years and taught previously at Missouri Southern State University where she directed the Suzuki Violin Academy and taught applied strings and string techniques. She has happily been at Thomas Jefferson IDS since 2012 teaching LS/MS/US Strings. Miss Cutler also performs with the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas in Fayetteville as well as other regional orchestras.

Jana Zinter

“Making Music Fun” is Miss Jana’s motto. Jana studied piano for 13 years with Joplin’s best and continued her education with a Julliard graduate during her years at MSSC. Jana loves working with children and has devoted over 35 years to teaching piano. She keeps students motivated with recitals, festivals, competitions and music contests. Many of her students have earned “Honorable, “1” and “Winner” ratings at local, state and national levels. Jana is an active member of JPTA, MMTA, MTNA, MFMC and NFMC. Jana would love to share her piano knowledge with your child so they too can learn to love music in their own special way.