Private Lessons
An essential part of any successful band program is a strong private lesson program. Private lessons will be offered at Hays Middle School before, during and after school at the cost of $20 a lesson. Unlike tutoring, private lessons are not needed just for those students that may be struggling. Private lessons are for every student. In class, we are not able to give your student individualized attention as much as we would like. Private lessons are a chance for your student to have lessons with a specialist on their instrument and have instruction that is geared specifically for each student. Students that may be struggling can get the extra help to improve, but the average to advanced players can get instruction to advance further and keep them challenged outside of class.
Our private lesson staff has been hired by the Prosper Band Directors and have completed a background check. These teachers are highly qualified professionals that will work closely with the band directors to help each student progress. The PISD has implemented a pay scale for all people who teach private lessons on an PISD campus. Students taught during class will receive 22 minute lessons. Lesson length taught before or after school will be determined by the private lesson teacher.
We look forward to having your student involved in the private lesson program!
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Stephanie Kalina
Flute Private Lesson Teacher
Stephanie Kalina received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington where she served as Principle of the UTA Wind Symphony and Orchestra. She was the 2nd place winner of the Susan E. Lichtenwalter Memorial scholarship and has been an outstanding performance award winner at the Texas Flute Society and TCU flute festivals. Stephanie has recently accepted an Adjunct teaching position at the University of Texas at Arlington in addition to teaching private lessons in North Richland Hills, Arlington, Mansfield and Prosper. She has had notable performances at the National Flute Association Convention, Texas Music Educators Association, and the College Band Directors National Association conference in Boulder, Colorado.
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Ashley Rollins
Oboe Private Lesson Teacher
Oboist Ashley Rollins is a performer and prolific private teacher in the DFW area. She has studied at the Blair School of Music, the University of Michigan, and the University of North Texas, where she worked as the oboe studio's graduate teaching assistant. She has been a featured English horn soloist on the North Texas Wind Symphony's premiere recording of Ryan George's The Wild Goose, and was invited to perform the Marcello oboe concerto with the Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute. Her passion for teaching has led to her now having a studio of around seventy students, who have been successful at solo contests and at region and all-state competitions. She also teaches at Collin College.
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Dr. Jorge Cruz
Bassoon Private Lesson Teacher
Bio Coming Soon
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Sam Day
Clarinet Private Lesson Teacher
Originally from Springfield, Missouri, Sam received his Bachelor of Music Education from Missouri State University, where he studied with Dr. Allison Storochuk. There, he performed as a soloist with the Missouri State University Wind Ensemble and the MSU Orchestra, performed with the Springfield Regional Opera, and was sought after as a clinician for area schools.
Upon his completion of his education degree, Sam started his Master of Music in clarinet performance at the University of North Texas, where he studied under Dr. Kimberly Cole Luevano. During his time at UNT, he performed with the UNT Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, and was a finalist in the UNT Concerto Competition.
Since graduating from UNT, Sam has remained as an active performer and teacher in the DFW area. While maintaining his private studio, Sam travels around the world for various performances and competitions; some of his most recent endeavors led him to perform in Carnegie Hall for the American Protégé International Competition, and in Ostend, Belgium for the International Clarinetist Association Young Artist Competition.
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Dr. William Chien
Saxophone Private Lesson Teacher
Dr. William Chien is a soloist, chamber musician, author and educator. He has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. He holds the degree of Doctor of Music from the University of North Texas, major in saxophone performance and related field in jazz study. He also holds a Master of Music degree in Saxophone Performance from Boston Conservatory. Dr. Chien has served as a committee member and judge for jazz competition in the First Asian Saxophone Congress. Currently Dr. Chien is teaching in Southwestern Adventist University at Keene, Texas. He is the director of the SWAU saxophone ensemble, and teach undergraduate students both classical and jazz saxophone lessons.
As a performer, Dr. Chien has premiered new composition and performed at several World Saxophone Congresses at Croatia (2018), Strasbourg (2015) and Scotland (2012), as well as at North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conferences (2014 at Illinois and 2010 at Georgia), Taiwan National Recital Concert Hall in Taipei (2018, 2013), Texas Denton Jazz Festival (2010, 2011), and Navy International Saxophone Symposium in Virginia (2011). In 2019, He was featured as a soloist and performed in Southwestern Music Festival at Dallas Meyerson Symphony Hall. In 2016, Dr. Chien performed Claude Smith’s Fantasia with the Kaohsiung Citizens Band.
Dr. Chien won the first prize in Taiwan national saxophone competition. As a winner, he was invited to perform Jacques Ibert ’s concertino in Chiayi city International Band Festival. Dr. Chien is also active on jazz performance. He was invited to perform at several international jazz festivals such as Taichung Jazz Festival, Texas Denton Jazz Festival and Malaysia KK Jazz Festival. Dr. Chien is the active member of the WWCP (World-Wide Concurrent Premieres & Commissioning Fund). He has been commissioned and premiered the music by composers such as Shih-Hui Chen, John Harbison, John McDonald, Che-Yi Lee, John Plant, Anselm Schaufler and Ya- Ming Tsu.
Dr. Chien has previously served on the faculty as Assistant Professor of Saxophone at Taiwan National Tainan University, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taipei Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taipei Christ’s College, Kuang Jen High School and Taipei Hwa Kang Art School. He has been awarded the position of Teaching Fellow at the University of North Texas from 2010-2013.
Dr. Chien is the author of “Saxophone Learning for Novices” and “Saxophone Altissimo”, published by Mercury Publishing House. He has released a saxophone-guitar duet recording “Formosa Fantasy” with Austrian guitarist Stefan Skrilecz.
In 2017, Dr. Chien started a tutorial YOUTUBE channel and released dozen videos about saxophone technique and jazz improvisation. Since this channel is one of the earliest platform for Chinese-speaking audience, it became popular in countries such as China, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia and Taiwan. In less than two years, it already received more than 450,000 views.
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Brenton Wolfe
Trumpet Private Lesson Teacher
Brenton Wolfe prides himself on his versatility. His experiences in both performance and teaching allow him to adapt to any situation. One of his goals when teaching a young trumpet player is to help them have experiences that will prepare them for wherever life takes them. In his lessons, Mr. Wolfe teaches skills such as good time management, critical thinking, expressive music making, and perseverance. These qualities will positively affect each student both inside and outside of band, while also fostering an enjoyment of making music.
Outside of teaching, Mr. Wolfe leads a busy performance career. Most weekends he is playing gigs with musical theaters, jazz big bands, cover bands, and any number of other groups. Mr. Wolfe held the principal trumpet position in the Flower Mound Symphony Orchestra for two years, and is still their first call sub when they need an extra trumpet player.
Mr. Wolfe has two degrees in Music Performance. He received his Bachelor of Music degree with a minor in Spanish from Ball State University in 2013, and his Master of Music degree with a related field in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas in 2016. He has had the honor of playing in the North Texas Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra. His major teachers have been Allen Vizzutti, Adam Gordon, John Holt, Larry McWilliams, and Keith Burton.
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Lisa Hummel
French Horn Private Lesson Teacher
Lisa has more than 15 years of experience teaching private lessons, masterclasses, sectionals, camps, general music, strings and band. Her students audition and participate in All-Region Band, receive superior ratings at UIL Solo and Ensemble, and advance to State Level Solo and Ensemble.
Students in Lisa’s studio get to experience fun, unique, engaging recitals- some with audience participation! She loves to see students delight in playing and learning about the horn, grow in character, camaraderie, skill and musicianship while cultivating a life-long love of the horn.
Her performance experience includes: Assistant Principal Hornist of the Ashland Symphony Orchestra, The Polymer Brass Quintet, Lunaris Woodwind Quintet, The University of Akron Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band, Ashland University Bands, Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Association (OPCICA) Honors Band, Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra and Brass Quintet, the Carrollton Wind Symphony, and has performed with The Center Stage Brass and freelances around the DFW area. In those ensembles she has had the opportunity to perform with the following notable musicians and composers: Randy Newman, Marvin Hamlish, Karel Husa, Robert Page, and Frank Ticheli.
Aside from teaching and playing horn Lisa enjoys writing music, spending time outdoors, health and fitness, jam sessions with friends, and family time with her husband, Clif, two sons, Audric (7) and Elias (5) and cat O.C. (Outside Cat).
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Ben Nobles
Trombone Private Lesson Teacher
Ben Nobles is a private lessons teacher in Frisco, Prosper, and Celina Independent School Districts and is a founding member of Pursuit of Music. After graduating from L.D. Bell High School in 2012 as an all-state trombone player, Mr. Nobles received his degree in trombone performance from the University of Houston in 2016, performing in every major ensemble the University had to offer, including performing as the principal trombone player in the Moores School of Music Symphony Orchestra for three years. He returned to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area after graduating in order to assist in the growth of the music program at Prosper High School as a marching technician and a private lessons teacher to over 80 students.
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Dr. Sunny Chou
Euphonium & Tuba Private Lesson Teacher
Dr. Sunny Chou is an active euphonium musician and music educator. She was born in Taiwan and earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in euphonium performance at the University of North Texas. Dr. Chou has taught euphonium and tuba lessons in the DFW area for over 8 years. She is also an active euphonium solo and ensemble musician. She is currently a member and marketing manager of Dallas Asian Wind Ensemble. She was a Graduate Teaching Fellow under Dr. Brian Bowman at UNT as well as the founder/conductor of the Plano West Cluster Euphonium Choir. Her students reached the top chairs in the All Region bands. Aside from performing euphonium music, playing the piano, and teaching, Dr. Chou also studied and conducted research in the field of Music and Medicine, which is associated with the music performance related health issues. Her research in this field helps her to gain better insight for teaching and assisting students more efficiently.
Dr. Chou currently resides in McKinney with her husband, Chung. They both enjoy cooking, exploring new restaurants, and exercising.
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Jack Pronske
Percussion Private Lesson Teacher
Bio Coming Soon
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