ARTS. LEARNING. COMMUNITY. LIFE.
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MUSIC
INSTRUCTORS
Voice Faculty
DEPARTMENT HEAD
David Gregory
David Gregory is a creative and artist at heart. His creativity exists not only in his art but also in his leadership and programming. Gregory’s journey in music began through composition, which remains his favorite artistic outlet. In exploring composition, he was catapulted into the greater world of music through private lessons and worship leading. Gregory went on to pursue a bachelor's in music from Missouri Baptist University. Collegiately, Gregory studied with Dr. Sharla Bender, Dr. Jeffery Heyl, and Dr. Jason Mallory, to name a few. Highlights of his educational career include soloing for MBU’s Opera Theatre, Gospel Choir, and Chamber Singers, participating in the conferences MMEA and Write About Jesus, and starting a thriving club for songwriters, artists, and music producers. Since graduation, Gregory has taught private lessons and musical theatre classes at several local STL performing arts organizations while pursuing his artistic endeavors. To date, he has worked with New Moon Studios, Gateway Center For the Performing Arts, Stages STL, and DaySpring Arts and Education. Within the past year, Gregory has begun to step into the world of arts administration. Gregory is thankful and privileged to be serving as the department head for DaySpring’s rich and diverse music department. He plans to serve graciously, ethically, and excellently in every aspect!
Questions about lessons?
Click the Private Lesson Inquiry button below. Your information will go straight to David and he will connect you with the teacher he sees as the best fit for you. Have other questions, contact David directly at davidgregory@dayspringarts.org
About Our Teachers:
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Advanced degrees and highly qualified
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Passionate about teaching
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Provide a nurturing environment
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Collaborate, providing unique opportunities for education and performance
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Participate in professional groups (SLAMTA, NFMC, MTNA, MMTA, and Royal Conservatory Exams)
Teachers can help assess for readiness and appropriate ages for beginning private lessons.
Please contact David Gregory for more information to make sure students are set for success in musical studies!
PIANO INSTRUCTORS
Ann Ahrens
Piano
Ann Ahrens earned a Master of Arts in Music from Webster University in 2001, and a PhD in Christian Worship from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2017. Ann has taught music and worship arts at Urshan College in Wentzville, MO for 25 years where she currently serves as Professor of Music and Worship Studies. In addition to her service at the college level, Ann has taught private and group piano at The Community Music School of Webster University (2002-2006) and Missouri Baptist University (2006-2008). Ann has studied piano with Daniel Schene, Cathy Benton, and Ruth Price. In addition to teaching piano, theory, and history, Ann’s areas of interest include the function of music in the corporate church worship service.
Lydia Rosensteel
Piano, Clarinet
Lydia grew up as a Missionary Kid in Papua New Guinea. She began playing piano at the age of 8 and clarinet when she was 10 as part of a band program at a mission based international school. She continued playing and singing in an active music program there until she finished high school and taught piano her last two years of high school before moving back to the United States to attend college. She graduated from Taylor University in Indiana with a B.M. in Music Performance in Clarinet, studying under Dr. Christopher Bade, and a piano minor under the direction of Kathy Grile. In 2008 she was awarded the Presser Scholarship in recognition of music and academic excellence. Lydia has been teaching piano and clarinet privately in the St. Louis area for over 10 years. She enjoys playing with community bands and ensembles in church and around St. Louis. She has a great love and interest in music from around the world and enjoys incorporating that diversity wherever possible.
Nancy Bortosky
Piano
Nancy (Schaaf) Bortosky received her formal education from Webster University, with a BM Ed. in Music Education and a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy. She has studied with Gail Delente of Washington D.C. and Jules Gentil from the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris; and has taken workshops with accompanists Nancy Revzen and John Wustman from U. of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. She has worked as a freelance accompanist for 25 years in the St. Louis and Chicago metropolitan areas for many fine soloists, having also professionally worked with Opera Theatre of St. Louis, St. Louis Chamber Chorus, Windfire- flute and percussion with John and Paula Kasica, and the St. Louis Conservatory and Webster University as staff accompanist. Ms. Schaaf’s work with children has included choir direction and music teaching at a school for gifted children in Chicago and she has taught piano privately for 20 years, developing students to college level. As part of her function as Music Director of New Covenant Church, she led choirs and orchestras, writing and arranging music for various settings, including several musicals. Since 1992 she has worked as Director of DaySpring School of the Arts, having been a founder of the school. She continues to perform and teach piano & musical theater, having been on the piano faculty of the Masterworks Festival of the Performing Arts in Houghton, NY in 2000. In her involvement in the piano teaching community she has been Vice president of programming for SLAMTA for 4 years and is state treasurer of MMTA. She has been a founding member of the Maryland Hgts. Arts Commission, and has served as chairperson for 2 years. She is currently retired from DaySpring but may come back one day again to provide music lessons!
Doris Lam
Piano
Doris Lam was born in Hong Kong and began playing the piano at age of 6. She has recevied her BA (Hons) in music with emphasis in music theory and analysis in 1999, from the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). She has earned certifications of Grade 8 Piano and Music theory from Royal School of Music (ABRSM) and Trinity Guildhall (ATCL). After she graduated, she kept her piano study with Mr. Khong Wing-Yin. Her passion of music motivated her to get involved in different music activities. While she was still in Hong Kong, she earned first runner-up in high school music competition. She has been a piano accompanist in churches for their choir’s. She was a choir member of HKBU, and earned awards from international choir competitions in Europe. She conducted a children’s choir and church choir for a couple years after she graduated.
Journee Carter
Piano and Music Theory
Journee Carter received her Masters of Music from Shenandoah Conservatory and her Bachelors of Music from Webster University both specializing in vocal performance, specifically opera. Since completing her Master’s program she has been actively participating in St. Louis based productions both on and off stage.
VOICE INSTRUCTORS
Jermaine Smith
Voice Faculty
The tenor is closely associated with the role of Sporting Life, which he recently made his debut at Des Moines Metro Opera, Atlanta Opera, Metropolitan Opera Artist Contract, Teatro San Carlo in Napli, Italy, Seatle Opera and Tanglewood Music Festival with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Hollywood Bowl's premiere performance of Porgy & Bess in concert, Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of Porgy and Bess as well as in Cape Town Opera's guest engagement at the newly opened opera house in Oslo, Norway a couple of seasons ago. He has also preformed the role in Japan, Germany, Sweden, Austria, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Sicily, The Grand Canary Islands and in this country at Union Ave Opera, Opera Pacific, and in Francesca Zambello's production at both Washington National Opera and Los Angeles Opera. Most recently he has brought his portrayal to Paris's Opera-Comique, the Theatre de Caen, the Granada Festival, the Opera de Luxembourg, and the Santa Fe Symphony. His other operatic repertoire includes the title role/ Joshua's Boots (world premiere at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, revival at Kansas City Lyric Opera), Henry Davis/Street Scene and Zodzetrick/ Treemonisha (both with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis). He has made numerous appearances with the St. Louis Symphony. Smith is an alumnus of the New England Conservatory of Music and University of Missouri-St. Louis. Currently Director of Special Programs and Arts at Sumner High School and founder of Vera Voce Music, www.veravocemusic.com.
David Gregory
Voice Faculty
David Gregory is a creative and artist at heart. His creativity exists not only in his art but also in his leadership and programming. Gregory’s journey in music began through composition, which remains his favorite artistic outlet. In exploring composition, he was catapulted into the greater world of music through private lessons and worship leading. Gregory went on to pursue a bachelor's in music from Missouri Baptist University. Collegiately, Gregory studied with Dr. Sharla Bender, Dr. Jeffery Heyl, and Dr. Jason Mallory, to name a few. Highlights of his educational career include soloing for MBU’s Opera Theatre, Gospel Choir, and Chamber Singers, participating in the conferences MMEA and Write About Jesus, and starting a thriving club for songwriters, artists, and music producers. Since graduation, Gregory has taught private lessons and musical theatre classes at several local STL performing arts organizations while pursuing his artistic endeavors. To date, he has worked with New Moon Studios, Gateway Center For the Performing Arts, Stages STL, and DaySpring Arts and Education. Within the past year, Gregory has begun to step into the world of arts administration. Gregory is thankful and privileged to be serving as the department head for DaySpring’s rich and diverse music department. He plans to live graciously, ethically, and excellently in every aspect!
STRING INSTRUCTORS
Betsey Karako
Violin, Ukulele
Elizabeth Karako is an active performer and teacher in the St. Louis area. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree with high honors from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and a Master of Music in Violin Performance with an emphasis in Suzuki Pedagogy from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. During the summers of 2014-2018, she served as a Unit Director and Associate Staff Director at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan. Elizabeth currently plays with the Salem-St. Louis Chamber Orchestra and is registered through the Suzuki Association of the Americas for Volumes 1-10 of the Violin School.
Rob Miller
Guitar, Ukulele
Rob Miller is a composer, musician, theatre advocate, and music educator who taught music in the public school system for 29 years and now enjoys teaching guitar and ukulele at DaySpring A&E. He holds both a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Music degree in Music Composition from Webster University, St. Louis. He was honored in 1999 to be among the first inductees to the St. Louis Community College at Meramec’s Alumni Walk of Fame as a founding member of the Oldies band, Sh-Boom. Rob currently serves on the board of directors for First Run Theatre, the steering committee for the St. Louis Writers’ Group, and performs regularly with Butch Wax and the Hollywoods.
Jessie Youngblood
Violin
Jessie Youngblood is a violin performer and teacher in the St. Louis area. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Boise State University in Boise, Idaho, as well as a Master of Music in Violin Pedagogy from Boise State. Jessie has been teaching Suzuki Violin Method for the past 18 years, as well as small ensemble and chamber music. Jessie currently performs with Mr. Blue Sky, an Electric Light Orchestra tribute band.
Gary Lee
Cello
Gary Lee is a private cello teacher and freelance musician. He earned his MM in Cello Performance from the St. Louis Conservatory of Music and his BM in Cello Performance (cum laude) from Illinois Wesleyan University. His teachers include Yuan Tung, Robert Luke, Gordon Robson, and Karl Lear. His education includes training in chamber music, orchestral repertoire, contemporary music ensemble, and early music ensemble. Other instruments studied include piano and bass viola da gamba. He was a member of Missouri All-State Orchestra in the first three years of its existence, seated principal cello his senior year. Active as a freelance musician in both Missouri and Illinois, Gary is principal cellist and librarian of the Alton Symphony Orchestra. He is a cellist in the Landolfi String Quartet, Richard Wappel Trio, and Gateway Festival Orchestra. He has played as extra cellist for Town & Country Symphony, Florissant Valley Symphony, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Masterworks Chorale, and other area ensembles. He has played as a member or extra for various Illinois and Missouri orchestras. He has played in ensembles for touring musicians, most recently Classic Albums Live!, Bernadette Peters, and Amy Grant with Michael W. Smith.Gary is a member of Musicians' Association of St. Louis (AFM Local 2-197), Suzuki Association of the Americas, American String Teachers Association, and Viola da Gamba Society of America. He was recently honored with the Outstanding Studio Educator 2016 Award from the American String Teachers Association, Missouri Chapter.
Samuel Larson
Violin
Sam Larson has been playing viola since he was nine years old and is currently studying for a Bachelor’s in music performance, at the University of Missouri St. Louis under Prof. Joanna Mendoza. Throughout his music career, he has had the opportunity to receive a wonderful education through a variety of teachers and has a long history with learning pedagogical skills in performing and teaching classical music.
Sam has been a part of many orchestras and chamber groups throughout his career. These programs include Webster University’s Young People Symphonic Orchestra, Webster’s Preparatory Program, the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, the University of Missouri’s Symphonic Orchestra, and many chamber groups.
Having had so many amazing opportunities and teachers to educate him about music, Sam decided that he wanted to share that education and passion with kids as well. He has had his own private studio since high school and continues teaching to this day. During the lessons, Sam aims to teach his students everything from music theory, to instrument technique, and standard repertoire.
Sam’s passion for teaching music is unparalleled. He believes that music is the language of the soul and that every person has this inside of them. Sam wants to teach music to students of all ages because music not only is an outlet of creativity for people, but it also teaches lessons about dedication, hard work, problem solving, teamwork, and respect. His biggest hope for all his students is for them to be able to walk away from his studio with skills that will perpetuate their success in life and be able to share beautiful music with others.
WIND INSTRUCTORS
Lydia Rosensteel
Piano, Clarinet
Lydia grew up as a Missionary Kid in Papua New Guinea. She began playing piano at the age of 8 and clarinet when she was 10 as part of a band program at a mission based international school. She continued playing and singing in an active music program there until she finished high school and taught piano her last two years of high school before moving back to the United States to attend college. She graduated from Taylor University in Indiana with a B.M. in Music Performance in Clarinet, studying under Dr. Christopher Bade, and a piano minor under the direction of Kathy Grile. In 2008 she was awarded the Presser Scholarship in recognition of music and academic excellence. Lydia has been teaching piano and clarinet privately in the St. Louis area for over 10 years. She enjoys playing with community bands and ensembles in church and around St. Louis. She has a great love and interest in music from around the world and enjoys incorporating that diversity wherever possible.
Kaisey Jaspering
Beginning Woodwinds
Rachel Moose
Flute
BRASS AND PERCUSSION INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Crystal Chu-Sharp
Percussion
Dr. Crystal Chu-Sharp holds a D.M.A. in Percussion Performance with a secondary area in Wind Conducting from the University of Oregon. Previously, Crystal earned her M.M. from New York University, B.M. from the National University of Singapore, and studied in an exchange program at the Peabody Institute. Originally from Hong Kong, Dr. Chu-Sharp is happy to call St Louis home with her family. Her doctoral research is concerned with interdisciplinary art and creative performance practice, including the pedagogical value. Dr. Chu-Sharp specializes in performing new music by living composers, solo marimba, and percussion chamber music. Her teaching style is goal-oriented, and suitable for all ages, and she always aims to provide an inclusive learning environment for her students.