05/09/08

The Baker Music Lab School String Group is not only a chance for students to teach children how to play an instrument but also an opportunity to engage in music education for all ages.

Directed by Professor of Music Trilla Lyerla, the Music Lab Group provides community students seeking instrumental and vocal lessons with Baker music students serving as teachers.

Juniors Sarah Shipley, music education major from Olathe, and Rachel Kilian, wildlife biology major from St. Louis, and freshman Eric Loux, music education major from Lawrence, teach private violin and cello lessons through the Lab School.

Lori McKinney, adjunct instructor of music and orchestra, said the students have been leading the 30-minute group lessons comprised of five young students each at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, in addition to teaching one 30-minute private lesson each week.

“Our new group provides a unique opportunity for our Baker music students to get some group teaching experience as well as providing experience for the young string students,” McKinney said. “I think this particular activity is filling two needs: letting the children in the community have a place to take music lessons and letting our students get first-hand experience in teaching the music in which they love.”

Having two students, one in third grade and the other in seventh grade, Kilian said she really enjoys helping teach the children how to play the violin.

“I have to figure out what works with them for different learning techniques, kind of like a trial and error, but I love seeing their progress from week to week,” she said. “Just getting the students interested in music and getting them excited about playing is so rewarding in itself.”

With music education as his major, Loux said this is exactly the kind of thing he wants to do as a career.

“I like working with the kids a lot, and I hope to continue teaching them as long as I can,” he said. “One of my favorite parts about having private lessons is that you get a chance to really see the improvements – I love it when I can tell they are learning something.”

Having the opportunity to tie in what they love doing in their past time with what they are majoring in, McKinney said being a part of the Music Lab will just be another branch on the students experience tree.

With the semester almost over, Kilian said the thing she wants most out is that the students come out with more than they came in with.

“It has been really neat having all of these outlets at Baker for different things to get involved with,” she said. “I have really enjoyed this opportunity – I love kids, and it has been a great experience to get to teach them.”