Hi, I'm Shannon. My mission is to help individuals find their unique creative voice.
I've been teaching music for over ten years. I teach piano, voice, and theory in both individual and group sessions. With technique as the fundamental basis, my students and I explore music through repertoire, improvisation, composition, and chamber music. As a teacher, I am very responsive to the individual needs and interests of my students. My students come away from lessons empowered with an understanding of music and with the tools to achieve their unique goals.
My students
I have taught students at Holy House Academy, River Oaks Baptist School, The Atonement Academy, and The Moosic School, and have maintained a private studio. My students have received recognition from organizations such as ABRSM, AFA Music, HMTA, and CUA's Musical Theater Intensive. My voice students have been featured in productions with Houston Grand Opera, Shepherd School of Music Opera Department, Wildfish Theater, and others. I have mentored students throughout the college application process, and my students have received music scholarships to Benedictine College and the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at University of Indiana. I have taught students of varied talents and interests, from composition to collaborative piano, from opera to pop music. My students regularly present performances of high caliber, and have also given back to the community through outreach performances.
Teaching Artistry
As a DACAMERA Young Artist (2020-2023) and Houston Grand Opera Teaching Artist (2022-2023), I brought music and exciting creative experiences to audiences and classrooms throughout the Houston area. I reached children from a variety of backgrounds and ages. I designed and implemented my own workshop, "Music through Art," which engaged 3rd and 4th grade students in an exploration of storytelling through abstract art and music improvisation. I also took part in professional development from leading musicians, artists, and music educators such as Eric Booth, who coined the term "Teaching Artistry" as "the artful, effective, engaging, successful, joyful, transformative, proven way to guide humans into and through [artistic] experiences" (The Music Teaching Artist’s Bible, Oxford University Press, 2009). As a private lessons teacher, I use this knowledge to help give my students a life-changing experience through music. I want every student I interact with to know that they have a unique gift, and that I will help them be the best that they can be.
My music education
I began studying piano at 4 years old, first with my mother, also a professional musician. I went on to study piano with Dr. Silvia Santinelli for over ten years. She gave me a strong basis of technique and musicality, based on our study of a wide repertoire and an integrative approach to music history and music theory. I began to teach piano lessons at 12 years old, and this ignited a passion for music education that has sustained me and has driven me to seek excellence in my pedagogy. I sang in choir from the age of 7, obtained a staff singer position at 15, and joined my first professional choir at 16. In high school, I attended the Boston University Tanglewood Institute as a vocalist, and credit this experience for inspiring me to study music in higher education. I obtained a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Houston, Moores School of Music. During my time at university, I studied with world-renowned soprano, Cynthia Clayton, and sang with the Moores Opera Center, Concert Chorale, and AURA Contemporary Ensemble. I also studied abroad in Leipzig, Germany, at the Mendelssohn Hochschule fuer Musik und Theater, where I met some of my artistic collaborators who ignited my passion for bold arts creation.
My performing career
As a singer, I specialize in contemporary music, and have sung world premieres of works for chamber ensemble and opera, such as Laura Schwendiger's "Cabaret of Shadows" and J.E. Hernandez's "Voces Fantasmas." I have strived to create my own opportunities, and have received a number of grants from the City of Houston, Houston Arts Alliance, as well as the City of Leipzig and the Puffin Foundation, for the creation of new vocal works such as "Sister Schwester" (2023), for two vocalists, electronics, and original film by Julia Casabona, and "A Voice of One's Own" (2022), a chamber opera with electronics with music by Amanda Martikainen. This work represents my main mission as an artist: to find my unique voice as a creator and to boldly seek opportunity.
I am continuing my own music education with jazz piano lessons and voice lessons, and I am practicing the organ to better accompany church congregations. I most recently recorded vocal music by jazz pianist and composer Paul English, which I hope to release in the coming year.
I'm looking forward to accompanying you on your music journey.