HAA Newsletter November 2014 inspiring creativity through the arts
Welcome: Guitar Instructors We are very pleased to welcome two new instructors to Harris: Garrett Hope and Lee Heerspink. We are excited about the experience and talent they will share with students!
Garrett Hope teaches guitar, string bass, composition, and theory at Harris. Born into a family that valued and practiced music daily, he studied piano, clarinet, guitar, and bass as he was growing up. Though he tinkered with sequencing and song writing, it wasn’t until he began studying composition at university that he found his musical passions – composition and teaching. Garrett has graduate degrees from the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He has taught composition, music theory, music technology, and ear training as adjunct faculty at several institutions, but after completing his DMA, Garrett taught as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Pennsylvania. Returning to Lincoln after teaching in Pennsylvania has allowed Garrett to focus on composing new music and also to teach at Harris Academy of the Arts. When it comes to teaching, he offers a wide repertoire variety – including rock, pop, alternative, blues, jazz, religious, and much more.
Lee Heerspink teaches guitar and string bass at Harris. He is a rare multi-talented musician and educator. He earned his music education degree from Hope College in Holland, MI. Jazz became such a passion that Lee continued his education at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. After completing his master’s degree, he spent time teaching and performing in West Michigan. In 2010, Lee auditioned and accepted a position playing guitar in the US Air Force Heartland of America Band in Omaha, NE. For 4 years he served as musical director for multiple Air Force rock and top 40 bands providing high-energy, morale-boosting concerts to troops both stateside and overseas. After being honorably discharged in the fall of 2014, Lee and his wife Bethany moved to Lincoln, NE, where they now reside. When not teaching or playing music, Lee and Bethany enjoy cooking, watching Detroit Tigers baseball, and hanging out with their English bulldog Edward.
New Students ♫ Help us welcome these new musicians to Harris: Christian Bishop Demyan Burgoon Gregory Burroughs Olga Chernyy 2935 Pine Lake Road, Lincoln, NE
Ian Eyun Haleigh Fitzsimmons Dylan Frederick Judith Grabow
William Hind Anam Khan Burkett Johanns Emily Pike 402.423.7121
INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT
Katie Morris
Originally from the small town of Utica, NE, Katie Morris grew up in a musical home. Her mother played piano and encouraged singing around the house, and even influenced Katie’s decision to play the flute. (She wanted to play the French horn instead!) From a young age, Katie has come to value music education for its ability to teach the importance of hard work and other life skills. “To help students realize what they can accomplish in music and life is what makes teaching worth it,” she says. Before the move to Lincoln and coming to Harris Academy of the Arts, Katie completed a degree in music education from Doane College in Crete, NE and then taught K-12 vocal music for Plainview Public Schools. Now, she has a long line of teaching duties at Harris: voice, flute, piano, Kindermusik, Treble Maker Show Choir, and Children’s Music Academy. Read more about Katie on our website: harrisacademyofthearts.com/about-us/ instructor-spotlight
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