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RAISING THE STANDARD OF MUSICAL EXCELLENCE

Author: Sean Riley

Posted on by Sean Riley

Rebekah Thompson

Voice Instructor

Piano Instructor

Email: rthompson@kansascityschoolofmusic.com

Rebekah Thompson is a piano and voice teacher at the Kansas City School of Music. She holds a Master of Music Education from Pennsylvania State University and a bachelor’s degree in K-12 Choral Music Education from Brigham Young University. She has presented research on junior high school student sight-singing at the Thompson Symposium, PMEA and Eastern MENC. Published work includes world music and Spanish lesson plans for the Smithsonian Institute.

More than just a voice teacher, she is an experienced pianist, singer, and accompanist. She has been a featured soloist in numerous vocal and piano recitals and concerts. She has competed in many music competitions including Gold Cup and New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA).

Mrs. Thompson has over 20 years of experience as a private piano and voice instructor, choral director, and early childhood music teacher. Her passion for teaching young children is clearly displayed in every lesson and has had a positive impact on many lives.

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Trumpet Lessons

Trumpet students at the Kansas City School of Music receive comprehensive instruction from our exceptional faculty. We accept children and adults of all ability levels. Trumpet Lessons are tailored to fit each student’s needs. Our students don’t just play the trumpet; they excel at it.

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Kevin Sterchi

Guitar Instructor

Email: ksterchi@kansascityschoolofmusic.com

Kevin Sterchi is a guitar teacher at the Kansas City School of Music. He has a master’s degree in music education and a bachelor’s degree in guitar performance from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. Kevin is also a graduate of The College for Recording Arts in San Francisco, California.

Kevin’s performance career has included various solo, duet, and combo work in both jazz and classical literature. As a recording artist, composer, and producer, Mr. Sterchi has published 7 CD recordings with London based North Star Music records. He was honored with the annual Jazz Award from the National Association of Jazz Educators in 1988 for his work in jazz performance and composition.

Mr. Sterchi has 30 years of experience in music education and has taught at universities, elementary schools, and as a private instructor. Kevin has also worked as an educator of audio engineering and is an accomplished freelance audio engineer/producer.

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Guitar Lessons

Kansas City School of Music provides a comprehensive foundation in guitar technique and music theory that will allow you to go anywhere you choose – rock, jazz, classical, pop, country, etc. Our guitar students learn how to read music, play by ear, and improvise in many styles. Rather than just learning songs, our instructors teach students how to understand music and develop foundational guitar skills that are transferable to many styles of music. Lessons are tailored to fit each student’s individual needs. We accept children and adults of all ability levels. Our students become versatile musicians and accomplished guitarists as they develop their passion for music.

Advantages to Guitar Study at Kansas City School of Music

Performance Opportunities
Performing is a crucial part of the learning process when it comes to music. At Kansas City School of Music, we offer a wealth of opportunities for your children to perform in a professional setting. Visit our calendar page to see what upcoming events we have going on.

Exceptional Facilities
The quality of facility won’t necessarily impede your child’s ability to learn music, but it can certainly make it more enjoyable. Kansas City School of Music has two locations for your convenience: our Lenexa campus and our Overland Park campus. Both of our state-of-the-art facilities have large and spacious practice rooms, soundproof walls, temperature control, and much more. All of this contributes to our high standard of excellence and allows your student to focus on mastering their musical talents.

Resources

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“This is the place to be.”

Want to seriously learn an instrument…voice as well? This is the place to be. Want to learn music, well beyond the sounds of your instrument? To learn how music actually functions as part of our natural “ear?” This is the place to be. Great teachers, well structured curiculam. This is the place to be.

Bill Burgweger

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“…dedicated, passionate…”

Our family has several years of experience with the Kansas City School of Music. The Director, Scott Smith, is a very dedicated, passionate teacher who focuses on learning in a nurturing environment. Scott’s enthusiasm for music and teaching has fostered self-esteem, creativity, and confidence in our children.

Gretchen Stout, Overland Park, Kansas

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“Extremely supportive…”

Studying voice with Bonny Green has joyously influenced every area of my world – in my profession, family, community, volunteering, church, and very soul. The faculty is extremely supportive of each student and I encourage every young person and adult to experience life with Kansas City School of Music!

Kaaren Witte, Kansas City, Missouri

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“Scott is more than a piano instructor. He is a true friend whom our son respects greatly.”

When we moved to Lenexa 14 years ago, in my search for a piano instructor for our 7 year old son, I found Scott Smith at the Kansas City School of Music. We will forever be grateful we found Scott. His dedication to training young minds in the art of piano is more than exceptional.

Scott is an uncompromising, devoted individual who is committed to training your child. He expects effort on the child’s part and parental involvement in your child’s learning. Lessons with Scott are calm, not rushed, and he is kind and patient with children. He makes lessons fun, has a great sense of humor, and will let your child choose music that he or she may enjoy. Our son had two previous years with two other piano instructors outside of Lenexa prior to discovering Scott, so we know the difference a solid teacher can make.

If you are considering learning piano, or any other musical instrument, my husband and I highly recommend the Kansas City School of Music. Music training, particularly piano instruction, does a great deal for training young minds intellectually. Our son was trained by Scott Smith for 10+ years until high school graduation, of which he graduated as valedictorian, and is now preparing to graduate from Kansas State majoring in computer engineering and minoring in mathematics and information systems as an “A” student. I state these things not to boast in any way, but to suggest that your child can do the same with perseverance and proper training, particularly in piano.

The other instructors at KC School of Music were also very good. We had met with two other instructors occasionally if Scott was ever unavailable, on rare occasion.

One more note I’d like to mention: Our son is engaged to be married next year, and when I was preparing a guest list for his fiancé, the only person our son said that he wanted added to the list was “Scott Smith.” This speaks volumes. Scott is more than a piano instructor. He is a true friend whom our son respects greatly.

Tammy Larson Hill