TJ Values Music Education
Thomas Jefferson believes music is critical to a well-rounded liberal arts program.
From building language and listening skills to developing self-esteem and confidence, music plays a key role in your child’s development.
Music education is part of the TJ curriculum starting in Pre-Kindergarten. Beginning in 3rd grade, in addition to regularly scheduled music classes, your child can participate in instrumental and/or vocal ensembles.
TJ also provides many opportunities for your child to participate in contests and concerts. The TJ Upper School Vocal Ensemble, for example, has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and students in band, orchestra, and vocal ensembles earn top ratings every year at state music festivals.
See the tabs below to learn more about music education at your child’s specific grade level.
Thomas Jefferson invites all TJ families and members of the community to attend our concerts and other events throughout the school year. The after-school TJ Music Academy is open to all students in the area, not just TJ students. We offer lessons in vocal performance as well as for several instruments.
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.
Levi Randolph directs the saxophone studio and saxophone chamber ensembles at Missouri Southern State University, and teaches courses in music appreciation and world music. Levi earned his Master’s Degree in saxophone performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, where he studied with renowned saxophonist Tim Timmons. He is an in-demand woodwind freelance artist for numerous jazz and classical venues, weddings, concerts, operas, musicals, and chamber music events. After graduating from UMKC (he earned a B.A. in saxophone performance at MSSU before attending UKMC), he moved to Joplin and began a private studio, co-founded the quintet Jomo Jazz in 2013, and in 2014 established the MSSU Jazz Camp. Levi’s teaching style emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, and the development of one’s own individual style and sound. Students who study with Levi learn about their craft through discovery and are given the education and tools to become the innovative performers and teachers of tomorrow.
Chelsea Pfeifer is a graduate of Missouri Southern State University, Principal Violist in the Southern Symphony Orchestra, and manager of Golden Spectra string trio. A Texas native with 18 years of performance experience, she has been teaching in the Joplin area for 2 years now and aspires to see string students in the area increasingly active is private lessons. She has high hopes for all of her students to grow in an understanding and appreciation for music, regardless of their experience thus far.
“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.
