Meet the Teachers!
Krysti Schey, NCTM, piano |
Philip Schey, NCTM, piano |
Krysti (Groman) Schey, piano teacher, is the co-owner of Krysti's Music Studio. Krysti received her masters of music in piano performance/piano pedagogy from Bowling Green State University in 2010. Schey obtained her bachelors degree in music with concentrations in piano performance, piano pedagogy, and music business from Bluffton University in 2008.
Krysti began taking piano lessons at the age of 7, and has been teaching private lessons since high school in 2001. A member of Music Teacher’s National Association, Schey regularly attends national and regional pedagogy conferences. In 2008 Schey received the MTNA Student Achievement Award for her efforts and promise in private teaching. From 2011-2016, Krysti was the OhioMTA Independent Music Teacher's Forum (IMTF) Chair. In 2014 Krysti became Nationally certified as a piano instructor through MTNA. In 2017 Krysti was the Middle West District of OMTA's President. Krysti continues to enjoy participating in district teacher meetings & events. She plays piano and guitar at Rockport Community Bible Church on Sunday mornings. She currently resides in Bluffton, Ohio with her husband, Phil Schey, and their five children and cat, Whitney. |
Philip Schey, co-owner of Krysti's Music Studio, is a performer, arranger, piano tuner, and a teacher of piano, composition, and vocal lessons. Schey obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Bluffton University in 2009.
Philip started taking piano lessons during the first grade and has been playing since, and Schey's main emphasis in college was in voice. Phil has been teaching private lessons since 2006. Phil is a member of Music Teacher’s National Association (MTNA) and received the MTNA Student Achievement Award for private teaching. In 2014, Phil became a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music through MTNA. Besides teaching privately, Phil tunes pianos, plays for weddings and banquets, and performs with 5 Myles High as bassist & the Al Best Band as pianist. Phil is the worship leader at Rockport Community Bible Church, where he and Krysti attend. Phil enjoys arranging and transcribing musical pieces ranging from sacred hymns to movie soundtracks and video game background scores. He resides with his wife, Krysti Schey and children in Bluffton, Ohio. |
Amy Russell, piano, voice |
Natalie Miller, piano |
The first time Amy sang in public was at her elementary school talent show when she was in Kindergarten. Even though she tripped and fell down the steps on her way off stage she never looked back and took every opportunity to grow as a singer and musician. She graduated from Sacramento State with a BA in Music with an emphasis in Vocal Performance in 2008. She has been the worship leader and music coordinator at her church from 2007-2014. She has made two albums, one a cover of worship songs, the other is made up of her own original worship songs. She was also a featured soloist on a Sac State jazz ensemble album. She started taking on students in 2009 and finds so much delight in encouraging the sound that lives inside each person. She recently relocated from California to Bluffton, Ohio and loves this warm community that she now gets to call home.
Jen Burkholder, piano
Jen is passionate about music! She started music lessons when she was 12 years old, and has been playing piano & singing ever since! Jen has been a student of studio teachers Krysti, Phil, and Deb! Jen loves teaching piano lessons because she loves the impact she feels she makes on the students! Jen likes to make a student feel special, unique, and encouraged. Jen's teaching goal is to teach the student in a positive manner & always find the things the student is good at. Jen enjoys music because she sees it as a gateway and a way to express oneself. She believes there has been a song for every emotion she has ever felt! In her spare time, Jen enjoys shopping, canning, and decorating the studio!
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Making music has been a joyful part of Natalie's life since she started taking lessons at 7 years old. Continuing with lessons for ten years, she loved using her skills as an accompanist for her high school choir and show choir.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2002, she continued to play the piano for her own enjoyment, and beautify weddings and church services. Natalie spent collectively over 10 years as a nature educator for the Ohio State Parks system before becoming a full time stay at home parent to her three children. She is excited to help people learn how to make beautiful piano music, both for their own benefit, and to positively impact their listeners. In her “spare time” Natalie enjoys reading, spending time outdoors with her family, learning new classical piano pieces, snuggling her 6 indoor cats, taking care of her Norwex side business and helping her husband manage her family's 6-acre Christmas tree farm. Deb Niswander, piano
Deb is a graduate of Bluffton College with a degree in music education, with piano emphasis. Deb has over 40 years of experience as a piano teacher! She has accompanied many soloists in the Bluffton/Findlay area, performed at the University of Findlay symposium with famed pianist Wendene Shoupe, and accompanied the annual Messiah at Bluffton University. Deb is also a church pianist and organist, most recently retiring as Director of Music and Organist at First Presbyterian Church in Findlay. Deb volunteers for chapel services at Mennonite Memorial Home and is the new choir accompanist and substitute organist/pianist at First Mennonite Church, Bluffton. Deb is looking forward to teaching at Krysti’s Music Studio with Krysti, one of her former students!
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Johanna Barhorst, violin, viola |
Carla Wyant, piano & voice |
Johannah began violin lessons at age 9 (after pestering her parents for 4 years) and switched to viola at age 12. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Music (Viola) from Eastern Michigan University and played with the Lima Symphony Orchestra for five years. Johannah taught private violin lessons in Michigan for a year before getting married and moving to Ohio. Twelve years and five children later, she's finally able to return to teaching and is very excited to have this opportunity at Krysti's Music Studio. In addition to private lessons, Johannah teaches a mommy and me music class called Music Together, which keeps her creativity flowing. When she's not teaching or ferrying her children from one activity to another, Johannah enjoys running, reading, and sewing.
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Carla and her husband Mike have been married for 42 years and reside in Columbus Grove. They have three children and six grandchildren! Carla plays keys and sings with the Praise & Worship Team @ Church of the Good Shepherd in Columbus Grove.
Carla received her BA (K-12 Music Education) from Bluffton University and her Masters in Education specializing in music from Wright State University. Carla loved teaching music especially 5th & 6th, Jr. High, & HS choirs and directing Musicals at Columbus Grove Local Schools for 34 years and is now retired. Cooking, reading, gardening, canning, swimming, biking, and vacationing (especially with family) are pastimes Carla enjoys! Music has always been one of Carla's greatest passions, whether teaching, listening, or participating in music. She's grateful to have the opportunity to continue teaching voice and piano for Krysti's Music Studio while encouraging and helping students achieve their music goals and excellent performances. A fun fact is that Carla was Krysti's very first piano teacher! |
Steve Frey, electric & acoustic guitar, ukulele
Steve Frey has 30 years playing and teaching experience. Having relocated to Nashville in 1999, Steve has played and toured with major recording artist's Blackhawk, David Lee Murphy, Rebecca Lynn Howard, 2005 Nashville Star Winner Erika Jo, and is currently touring and playing shows with MCA recording artist Andy Childs, Steve Cropper, Robin Meade, host of HLN's Morning Express. Additional previous gig’s include Nashville based Eagles Tribute Band 7 Bridges, Rod Stewart Tribute featuring Rob Caudill, and American Floyd, a tribute to Pink Floyd. He has been teaching privately in the Nashville area since 2004. Steve is very excited to be back in his home state of Ohio and to share his knowledge and experience with his students!
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Jocelyn Ochoa, piano
Jocelyn Ochoa is a graduate of Bluffton High School, and took lessons from Krysti for about 10 years! Besides teaching piano, Jocelyn also helps teach dance lessons at Dancer’s Elite, and is on the golf team! In her free time, Jocelyn likes to teach herself guitar and ukulele. She also loves art, especially drawing and painting! Jocelyn attends Bible Fellowship church with her family.
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Kyle Looser, guitar |
Lydia Butterfield, violin, viola, cello |
Kyle Looser teaches guitar, bass, and ukulele at Krysti’s Music Studio and is the owner of Kyle’s Guitar Lessons based out of Ottoville, Ohio. Kyle began playing guitar at the age of 10 and quickly developed a passion for the instrument. Initially focused on rock techniques, Kyle eventually grew an interest in jazz, fusion, classical, country, and blues guitar. Kyle has studied music at Purdue Fort Wayne and with many well-known teachers and performers including John Forbing and Laura Lydy. Kyle’s teaching philosophy revolves around building confidence and curiosity in each of his students. He believes that learning music is an exciting endeavor and wishes to share his love for it to others. Other than teaching and performing, Kyle also works professionally as a guitar tech, having learned these skills from his time as a tech at Sweetwater. Kyle also enjoys transcribing the music of his favorite musicians and collecting vinyl records.
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Lydia Butterfield teaches violin and cello at Krysti’s Music Studio. She is also the owner of Butterfield Music Academy based out of Lima, Ohio. Having taught for over eight years, Lydia has refined her teaching philosophy and strategies through her extensive education, performance, research, and work with professional musicians nationally and internationally. Building confidence in students’ playing and their own relationship with music is just as much a part of her curriculum as technique, ear-training, and performance. As a child, Lydia took private lessons on both violin and cello and continued with both through her music degrees. In 2020, Lydia received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Ohio Northern University, and in 2023 received her Master of Arts in String Pedagogy from The Ohio State University. During her time at The Ohio State University, Lydia received a competitive University Fellowship and Teaching Assistantship, awarded to her for academic excellence, performance, and research. Presently, Lydia also works with the Lima Symphony Orchestra as their Marketing and Education Coordinator. Through the LSO, she plans, aids, and leads educational programs such as Symphony Storytimes, In-school programs, Mornings with the Maestros, and Young People’s Concerts. Lydia resides in Lima with her husband and cat. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, hiking, and spending time with her nieces and nephew.
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Katelyn Fellrath, piano
Music has been a big part of Katelyn’s life for as long as she can remember! She started piano lessons when she was five, immediately fell in love with it, and has been playing ever since. She took dance classes for twelve years, and occasionally sings or plays the piano at her church. Having taught private piano lessons for about five years, she is happy to have this opportunity to teach at Krysti’s Music Studio! Katelyn enjoys working with her students to help them grow in both their ability and love for music. She lives in Arlington, Ohio and when she’s not teaching or playing the piano, Katelyn works part time as a nanny and likes to read, travel, and bake!
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Krysti's Teaching Philosophy
As a piano teacher, I believe it is my job to help the student understand the essential aspects of the instrument such as notes and rhythm. However, there are some main ideas in my teaching philosophy that I would like to highlight. These are: the idea that each child is capable of making music, the teacher should be positive, encouraging, and a good role model, the teacher should be up to date with new ideas for piano teaching but must never hinder the student’s own creativity, and the teacher may help the student understand that they can use their musical gift to give praise to God.
It is my belief that everyone is capable of making music. I believe it is the piano teacher’s task to help the student discover it and develop it to the point where they can make music on their own. At an early age students will be encouraged to sing along with their pieces as this helps the student to better internalize the sound of the music.
The teacher must be positive, encouraging, support the child’s whole education, and must be a good role model. Students learn the best when they feel like their efforts are enjoyed. The teacher should use plenty of praise. The student should leave the lesson feeling good about themselves and their abilities. The teacher should be interested in the student’s other activities and what is going on in their life. The teacher must be a good role model and live a life knowing that an impressionable student may be watching.
It is the responsibility of the teacher to learn about the newest ideas in piano teaching and use the best methods possible with the student. However, this should never hinder the student’s own creativity, and the teacher must help each student individually with their strengths and weaknesses as a musician. The piano teacher must stay up to date with conferences, new method books and materials, and new pedagogical ideas. The teacher should try to match ideas with the student’s learning, and always be open to the student’s creativity in lessons. Many times the teacher may also learn about different ways of doing things from the student’s ideas in a lesson.
The teacher should acknowledge where our gifts come from, and encourage an environment in which the student can learn to give praise to the Lord through their music making. A teacher should be humble and give credit to God for musical gifts, and should create an environment to match this. If they would like to, a student should feel comfortable learning to praise God through music.
It is my belief that everyone is capable of making music. I believe it is the piano teacher’s task to help the student discover it and develop it to the point where they can make music on their own. At an early age students will be encouraged to sing along with their pieces as this helps the student to better internalize the sound of the music.
The teacher must be positive, encouraging, support the child’s whole education, and must be a good role model. Students learn the best when they feel like their efforts are enjoyed. The teacher should use plenty of praise. The student should leave the lesson feeling good about themselves and their abilities. The teacher should be interested in the student’s other activities and what is going on in their life. The teacher must be a good role model and live a life knowing that an impressionable student may be watching.
It is the responsibility of the teacher to learn about the newest ideas in piano teaching and use the best methods possible with the student. However, this should never hinder the student’s own creativity, and the teacher must help each student individually with their strengths and weaknesses as a musician. The piano teacher must stay up to date with conferences, new method books and materials, and new pedagogical ideas. The teacher should try to match ideas with the student’s learning, and always be open to the student’s creativity in lessons. Many times the teacher may also learn about different ways of doing things from the student’s ideas in a lesson.
The teacher should acknowledge where our gifts come from, and encourage an environment in which the student can learn to give praise to the Lord through their music making. A teacher should be humble and give credit to God for musical gifts, and should create an environment to match this. If they would like to, a student should feel comfortable learning to praise God through music.
