Baker University music students are spreading their knowledge and passions to students of all ages through the Music Lab School.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to the community,” Adjunct Instructor of Music Lori McKinney said. “Also, it is a great opportunity for students who want to become teachers to gain experience.”

A recommendation list is sent out to the music department’s studio teachers for students willing to teach lessons. The lessons act as a job, and the students are paid instead of receiving a grade.

“I have been involved ever since I came to Baker,” sophomore Scott Ireland said. “(Dean of Students Cassy) Bailey’s daughter was the first student I started with. I teach piano, and have begun teaching the snare to Judy Smrha’s (assistant dean of institutional effectiveness) six-year old son.”

With practices once a week for 30-minute intervals, there are still some challenges Ireland must learn to make adjustments for.

“It is difficult keeping kids entertained for 30 minutes, especially the younger ones,” Ireland said. “Six-year olds have a lot of energy.”

Despite any difficulties that may arise, there is still a sense of reward.

“At the end, we have Lab School recitals,” Ireland said. “This has to be the most rewarding, watching a student play a piece they have been working really hard on.”

After moving to Baldwin City in 2007, Bailey started her daughter Emma in violin lessons, and then piano.

For Bailey, having her daughter take lessons through the university has been not only more convenient and affordable when compared to private lessons, but also personable.

“The music students are very educated and caring,” Bailey said. “The music lessons give more room for flexibility and are a really good experience.”

Gaining experience for a future career as a music teacher is motivation for sophomore Mariah Barnett.

Barnett is in her third semester of teaching the cello and has three students. In order to adapt to her students’ different learning styles, she must find what works best for each individual.

“I go over what I plan to teach with Lori McKinney,” Barnett said. “I just see what they need to work on and keep on track.”

Like Ireland, Barnett sees the end of semester recitals as the most rewarding part of the job.

"At the end, you are proud to be able to see the growth and development these students have made," Barnett said.<br/>