News Summer Rhapsody: Janssen Piano Studio students present recital

Several of Shannon Janssen's piano students presented what they have learned from their lessons with Janssen, at a recital held last Friday. Twenty students performed, including one who participated via Skype.

Participants included (front row) Henry Buck, Elisabeth Lampe, Lily Collingwood, Olivia Schminke, April Cline, Chloe Cline, Brody Cline, Natalie Livingston. Back Row: Janssen: Jenna Lane, Jade Coots, Miles Elwick, Grace Walker, Lilli Dahlstrom, Josie Coots, June McElwee, Row 3, Macy Arbuckle, Kendra Dahlstrom, Hannah McClain, Davia Herger. 20 Students performed, Brian Mick is a Skype student that used to live here, but he continued lessons via Skype, and performed for the audience from home using that video technology.

“I do want to mention that there was one other song for the encore. It was called “The Griffen's Duel” played as a dueling duet between Kendra and Macy on the piano,” explains Janssen. “Other students gradually joined in with other instruments. Jade Coots was on a cajon drum, Miles Elwick on the Clavinova, Jenna Lane on the ukulele, Hannah McClain on the fiddle, and Lilli Dahlstrom, Grace Walker and Josie Coots on maracas and Natalie Livingston on a gong. We rehearsed for weeks on this piece and it was awesome, the students had a blast doing this and they did great!”

Those attending had the chance to fill out comment cards to compliment the young musicians.

See photos of the participants HERE.

Below is the program from the event, which includes comments from Janssen about each individual:

Kendra Dahlstrom and Macy Arbuckle
From the Ashes……………….………………………………………………………………..Andrea Dow

Brody Cline - Full of energy and life, Brody is a happy boy who enjoys making me laugh. He began piano lessons just a few weeks ago. Watch and listen as he warms your heart.
Bamboo Leaves………………………..……………………………………,,,………Alfred’s Composers
Bamboo Forest………………………………………………….……………………..Alfred’s Composers

Chloe Cline - Along with her brother, Chloe began lessons a short time ago. As she has progressed, her enjoyment of music has also. She is sweet and happy and says learning piano is fun!
Beep Beep…………………..……..…………………………………………….…….Alfred’s Composers
Old McDonald Had a Mouse…………………..……………………………………….…….…Traditional

April Cline - The oldest of the Cline children, April also began lessons with her brother and sister. She is bright and dedicated and will be a great help to her younger siblings as they learn. The Cline children come from a musical family which is a wonderful benefit!
Quiet River…………………...…………………………………………..…………….Alfred’s Composers
Rockets………………………….…………………………………………….……….Alfred’s Composers

Olivia Schminke - Olivia began a short time ago and is quick to pick up the different techniques we are learning. She is good at her practice and always comes to her lesson with a bright smile.
Belle the Bashful Butterfly……………………………………………….….…,,,…………....Martha Mier
The Jolly Juggler…………………………………………………..………...……….Jane Smisor Bastien

Lily Collingwood - Lily has come a long way in piano since she began last summer. She loves music, dance and singing. She is sweet, happy and fun, always has a smile and loves to laugh!
Calico Waltz….…………………………………………………..…….,,,………………….Louise Garrow
First Cha-Cha-Cha……………………………..……………………………………………E.L. Lancaster

Elisabeth Lampe - Hungry to learn piano, Elisabeth perfects each piece with enjoyment and enthusiasm! She is bright and cheerful and takes on every challenge with a smile. She always has a story to tell, listen as she tells a story within her music.
Butterflies and Rainbows……………………………………………………………………..Jennifer Linn
Fuzzy Baby Bird…………………………………………….……………………,……………Martha Mier

Henry Buck - Articulate and faithful at his practice, Henry’s talent, awareness and ability is growing. It is fun and exciting to see him progress. His goal is to play the drums one day soon. After learning piano, drums will be easy for him. Not only will he be a wonderful pianist, but he’ll be a fantastic drummer one day as well!
Inch by Inch……………………………………………………………………,,………………..Tom Gero
Rain Dance…………………………………………………….………………………………..Martha Mier

June McElwee - Sweet and soft-spoken June has been a delight to get to know and pleasure to teach. Smart, inquisitive and fast learning June comes to her lesson with a smile and is always willing to please.
The Bake Sale…………………………………………………….………....…………………..Carol Matz
Masquerade Party………………………………………………,,,………………….………..Betty Sutton

Natalie Livingston - Smart and witty Natalie is a very bright student that has a wonderful advantage…she comes from a musical family and her mother is an awesome pianist! She is happy and fun, curious and adventuresome and she’s always up for a challenge.
Swan………………………………..………….……………………………….……………Louise Garrow
Bumblebee Boogie……………..………………………………………………..…….Margaret Goldston

Josie Coots - Josie is a lovely girl who aims to please! She is sweet, happy and always has a smile. It has been a blessing to watch her progress and to grow into loving music more and more as time goes by. Listen as she plays from her heart.
Dancing Butterflies...………………………..…………………………………………..Shannon Janssen
Chocolate Soldier…………………………………….…………………………………………Hazel Cobb

Davia Herger - Talented and artistic Davia came to me only a short time ago. She is an amazing guitarist, composer and singer. Music is a big part of her life and she made a wise choice to begin piano lessons too, as it will be a great benefit to her to add ‘pianist’ to her qualifications as she follows her dreams. Watch for her in the near future!
Back and Forth………….…………….………………………………………………....Robert D. Vandall
Feelin’ Good…………………………………..………………………………………….Robert D. Vandall

Lilli Dahlstrom - Lilli continually wows me with her ability to do exactly as I ask her to do, never a complaint only a smile. She is a wonderful student and nothing seems too hard for her. Because she pays attention to the details of music reading and her faithful practice, she is quickly progressing!
Sarabande d’Amour………………..……………………………………….……….…….Catherine Rollin
Toccato Vivo………..……………………...………………………………….…………Dennis Alexander

Grace Walker - Cheerful and energetic Grace has really escalated this past year. Staying focused and serious about her practice time and goals has really paid off for her. She is realizing her potential and goals and is going for it. Go Grace!
Starry Night Sonatina (First and Second Movements)……………………………..………Martha Mier
Chopsticks……………….………………………………………………………..………John W. Schaum

Hannah McClain - After only 7 months of lessons, Hannah has truly amazed me. Her talent is astonishing as she sings and plays the fiddle and other stringed instruments by ear. Her ambition to learn piano is remarkable and impressive as she practices the most of all my students. Not knowing how to read a note when she came to me, Hannah began her journey as a pianist and with her determination and focus, she has wonderfully progressed.
Springtime Reverie…………………………………………………………….………………..Sara Krohn
Beethoven’s Boogie…………………………………………………………………………..Mary K. Salle

Miles Elwick - Creative and imaginative Miles is a natural at piano. He is a wonderful composer and has the potential to become really great one day. Staying focused on practice is what it will take and with his determination and charm, I really believe he will!
Tarantella in A Minor……………………..……….……………………………………….…Allan Small

Jade Coots - Animated and talented Jade has many interests and is full of life. I’m so glad that one of her interests is learning piano! She is clever and smart and with her focus on music and practicing, piano will be a great benefit to her as she loves to sing, dance and act.
Rio Tango………………………….………………………………...…………………Bill and Pat Medley

Jade Coots and Miles Elwick
Dance of the Dragons…………………………………………………………………….…...Andrea Dow

Jenna Lane - Bright and gifted Jenna not only plays piano, but also the ukulele. She is Drum Major for the Marching Band and Percussionist in the High School Concert Band. She joined me last fall for lessons and I’m so happy she chose me for her teacher. She is sweet and fun and easy to teach. Her love for music is apparent as she is involved in many musical activities throughout school, church and the community.
Melancholy Blues…………………………………………………...……………….…………Martha Mier
The Night Ride…………………………………..……………………………..………..Robert D. Vandall

Kendra Dahlstom - Kendra came to me a few years ago and like Hannah, she hungered to learn. As a clarinetist, she knew the treble clef notes well. Learning the bass clef and piano basics came very quickly for her because of her dedication and determination to practice and details.
Kendra has blossomed into a wonderfully expressive and skilled pianist.
Fur Elise…………………………………………………………..……………….Ludwig Van Beethoven

Brian Mick - Brian used to live in Iowa, but moved to California a couple years ago. We continue lessons through Skype which is the next best thing to being here. This young man will astound you with amazing technique and skill. He can go from performing with great expression to amazing gusto. Listen and enjoy!
On Our Way Home....................................................................................................…...David Lanz
Allegro Burlesco………………….……………….………………………………….……Friedrich Kuhlau

Macy Arbuckle - Determined and accomplished Macy has the talent to play with tremendous passion. Music is her passion. Through hard work, paying attention to details and much practice, she has become proficient and skilled, imaginative and inventive. Listen as she captivates you with this difficult, expressive piece written by one of the masters.
Moonlight Sonata……………………………………………………...……….….Ludwig van Beethoven