Excelsior

Justin is a pianist and vocalist with over a decade of experience in music education. Justin received his BA in Music Education from Queens College, where he developed a strong foundation in musical pedagogy and best practices. In the classroom, Justin excelled at creating engaging learning experiences for diverse learners through using scaffolding techniques and various learning aids—visual, kinesthetic, tactile, and aural. He firmly believes all students, regardless of prior knowledge or skill, can obtain a comprehensive grasp of music literacy.

Justin has spent most of his professional career as a Director of Music for various churches. Hailing from New York City, Justin was able to work with and direct highly skilled singers and instrumentalists for his job. He recently moved to the Twin Cities and is currently the Director of Liturgy and Music at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Wayzata, MN. He has a strong passion for sharing the joy of playing and understanding music. Outside of music, Justin enjoys swimming, working on cars, and spending time with his wife and his two children.

Carson has played piano since she was four years old. She grew up in Texas and participated in many music and dance extracurricular activities in school. Carson attended West Texas A&M University where she earned a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree with an instrumental emphasis in piano. She was an active member of both the university orchestra and choir and taught piano students while attending college. Carson taught Kindermusik lessons to young children for two years at Kindermusik of CS-B in Texas, and she currently provides music therapy services at an assisted living facility in Minneapolis. Carson’s favorite part of both teaching and music therapy is getting to see how music helps people change and grow throughout their lives.

Lois is an experienced musician who has appreciated many diverse musical experiences and a lifetime love of learning and teaching opportunities. She took piano lessons over ten years growing up, during which time she began accompanying church and Sunday school choirs. She played baritone horn/euphonium in elementary and high school bands, considering becoming a band director during some of these years. While attending the University of Minnesota at Morris in pre-chiropractic doctor studies, she was a member of the concert band and accompanied vocal students during their lessons. After beginning chiropractic practice in SE MN, she was a member of a community band and involved in church music, initially working with children’s choirs, high school singers and small instrumental groups, and directing adult choirs. Eventually she taught herself to play organ and was the sole organist for ten years. She accompanied the Lake City Singers. She shared her love of music with her two children who took piano lessons from a local teacher, but respected their decisions as they grew older to pursue other musical opportunities vocally and instrumentally, but appreciating the foundation of their piano lessons. She enjoys watching the next generation of her young granddaughter sitting at the piano with either her dad or Grandma Lois. After moving back to the area where she grew up, she rejoined the Mid Minnesota Concert Band, which she had been a member during high school. Now living in Buffalo, she has joined the church choir, handbell ringers, and playing piano with the contemporary praise team. She has recently started composing music. She loves observing how people grow and connect with music, both as listeners and participants.