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Instructors - Nora Bellows, Micah Watson, Kathleen Alexander, Adrianna Mittler, Bernadette Comage, Chuck Butler & Hannah Serafino
"Nurturing the Love of Music"

Violin Instructor Biography

Nora Bellows enjoys a life-long relationship with the Suzuki Method. Enrolled at the age of three in the University of Arkansas' Fayetteville Suzuki School, under the guidance of Martha Shackford, Mrs. Bellows received her foundation in Suzuki Methodology. She continued her instruction with traditional teachers upon moving to Maine at age 14. As a teenager, Mrs. Bellows enjoyed playing in the local youth orchestra and joined the University of Maine orchestra at 16. While earning her B.S. in Education, Mrs. Bellows studied under Dr. Anatole Wieck, an international performer educated at Julliard. Dr. Wieck's insightful instruction on technique and musical interpretation further educated Mrs. Bellows as a teacher and performer.  

Mrs. Bellows began her career in Suzuki instruction at RDL Strings Studio in Bangor, Maine in 1997. In addition to her private students she created and implemented introductory Suzuki violin programs for two local Montessori schools.  Mrs. Bellows was also an instructor at the Norfolk Virginia Academy of Music instructing Suzuki violin lessons, both private and group, as well as daily pre-school music classes.

After relocating to St. Louis Missouri, in 2005, Mrs. Bellows joined the Kirkwood Academy of Music as a private Suzuki violin teacher. In 2006 Mrs. Bellows opened a violin studio in Washington to provide quality education and performance opportunities for the children of Franklin County MO. Currently Mrs. Bellows is a faculty member of the Kirkwood Academy of Music, General Music Teacher at Immaculate Conception School in Union Mo and the Owner/ resident Violin Instructor of Washington Academy of Music. Her love of music and children continues to create a nurturing environment that inspires musical excellence.

Mrs. Bellows is a Registered Suzuki Violin Instructor with training from Capital University, Columbus Ohio, the Chicago Suzuki Institute, IL and two apprenticeships with Suzuki Teacher Trainer Joesph Kaminksy, St. Louis MO. Other Suzuki Teacher Trainers have included Linda Steig and Michelle George. Mrs. Bellows is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Currently Mrs. Bellows is the Vice President of the Saint Louis Metro Violin Association.  Mrs. Bellows is a member of the Saint Louis Philharmonic for concert information visit www.stlphilharmonic.com  

For lessons call 636-432-2903 or email washingotonacademyofmusic@gmail.com

Piano Instructor Biography

Mr. Micah Watson enjoys teaching students of all ages.  Mr. Watson has been teaching piano since 2000 and has been an instructor at the Academy since 2015.  Mr. Watson developed his love of piano during his teenage years as his studies and dedication progressed.  Mr. Watson earned his Associate Degree in Music from East Central College where he studied under Dr. Jennifer Judd. 

Mr. Watson maintains an active piano studio at the Academy as well as teaching piano at Kay's Music Studio and Whitegate Montessori.  Since high school Micah has enjoyed sharing his talents with his local churches in youth ministry.  Mr. Watson encourages his student to enjoy their music and share their talents with the community.

Voice Instructor Biography

Kathleen Quint earned her degree in vocal performance from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.  She studied with Dr. Raymond Feener for four years and learned classical voice technique.  At the UMKC Conservatory she performed in many operas including roles in Albert Herring and Dido and Aeneas.  Kathleen also enjoyed her vocal pedagogy class taught by Dr. Anne Delaney.

At age seven Kathleen sang her first solo "A Whole New World" from Disney's Aladdin and fell in love with music and singing.  From there she joined the St. Catharine Children's Choir in Manchester New Hampshire. She was also a member of Attitudes, a singing and acting group, where she sang at local nursing homes, yearly productions, and in Las Vegas.

Kathleen moved to the Washington area in 2000.  That year she began voice lessons with Rhonda MacAffee and continued lessons until thriugh college.  She sang with choirs like: the St. Francis Borgia Adult Choir, the Combined Christian Choir, the 2005 and 2006 Missouri All-State Choir, the Washington High School's Chamber Choir and the Meistersingers.  At WHS Kathleen also performed in musicals including roles in Footloose and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.In addition to those roles Kathleen performed in HONK! and in the review Broadway and Beyond at East Central College.  During the summer of 2004 she enrolled in the Opera Theater of St. Louis' Young Artist Program and fell in love with opera.

Kathleen continues to advance her singing ability through private study with Christine Armistead at Washington University. Kathleen is the General Music Teacher and Children's Choir director at Saint Ignatus.  Kathleen maintains a private voice studio at the Washington Academy of Music teaching students classical vocal technique and musical theater. 

Violin & Viola Instructor Biography

Adrianna Mittler has been playing violin since the 5th grade.  She started through the public school program at Washington and her playing continued to blossom through private teachers and many outside musical activities including the St. Charles Community Symphonic Youth Orchestra, playing for numerous musicals, and receiving superior ratings at the District Solo and Ensemble Festival. 

Mrs. Mittler has completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and Violin Performance at Lindenwood University.  During her time at Lindenwood, Mrs. Mittler was the concertmaster of the Lindenwood Orchestra, 1st violin of the Lindenwood Quartet and performed two recitals under the direction of Susie Thierbach.  She is currently completing her Masters of Arts in Teaching from Missouri Baptist. 

Mrs. Mittler is in her fifth season performing with the Saint Louis Philharmonic Orchestra. This Orchestra performs concerts throughout the year with a variety of music from Baroque to Modern.

Outside of teaching, Mrs. Mittler actively leads and participates in organizations including the Missouri Music Educators Association and is a member of the Kappa Nu Chapter of the Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity for women. 

Piano Instructor Biography  

Ms. Bernadette Comage began taking lessons at the Washington Academy of Music as a young child with Anne Stahl.  After several years of study with Mrs. Stahl Bernadette's passion for piano lead her to refine her skills with Dr. Jennifer Judd. Bernadette has studied under Dr. Judd for the past 5 years, and currently, as she is pursuing her Associate Degree in Music from East Central College.

Ms. Comage was invited to perform at Across Bridges Summer Academy in Valencia Spain in 2017.  Ms. Comage attended Southeast Chamber Music Institute and Blue Lakes Fine Arts Academy enjoying master classes with Dr. Michael Tsalka, Dr. Kevin Hampton and Dr. Mia Haynes.  Over the past several years, Ms. Comage has enjoyed playing Mass services for St. Francis Borgia High School as well as accompanying the St. Francis Borgia Regional Choir.

Ms. Comage loves watching her students advance as she shares her passion for piano with them.

Voice Instructor Biography

Mr. Chuck Butler is currently a vocal teacher at the Washington Academy of Music as well as the choir teacher at Central Visual Performing Arts High School in Saint Louis.  Mr. Butler has obtained a Bachelor of Music Magna Cum Laude and Master of Music Education from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro Arkansas.

Mr. Butler has a wealth of experience teaching, preparing and leading worship services, concerts, seasonal programs and musicals.  Previously Mr. Butler taught for Washington School District, Lincoln College Preparatory Academy (Kansas City, MO), privately in his own music studio, and for youth ministry in churches in Texas and Missouri.

Mr. Butler holds a lifetime teaching certificate in Missouri and was President of Omicron Omega chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia professional music fraternity.  In addition to his music degrees, Mr. Butler holds a Master in Marriage and Family Counseling and Master in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth Texas.

Mr. Butler is an enthusiastic teacher who is dedicated to excellence.

Violin Instructor Biography
Hannah Serafino began her violin training at the Washington Academy of Music under Nora Bellows. In addition, she has also studied violin and piano under several notable teachers, including Dr. Jennifer Judd, Julia Sakharova, and Dana Myers. After achieving an Associate’s of Fine Arts Degree in Music from East Central College as well as her Suzuki teacher’s certification, she continues to study violin performance at the University of Missouri—St. Louis under the direction of the Arianna String Quartet. Although she has played with several orchestras, including the St. Louis Youth Symphony Orchestra, Hannah especially enjoys playing chamber music with friends and colleagues.
 
As a teacher, Hannah endeavors to tailor her style to the needs and interests of each student individually. The love of music and the joy of playing the violin are what have driven Hannah through her musical exploits, and that is what she particularly wants to share with all her students.
Hannah Serafino began her violin training at the Washington Academy of Music under Nora Bellows. In addition, she has also studied violin and piano under several notable teachers, including Dr. Jennifer Judd, Julia Sakharova, and Dana Myers. After achieving an Associate’s of Fine Arts Degree in Music from East Central College as well as her Suzuki teacher’s certification, she continues to study violin performance at the University of Missouri—St. Louis under the direction of the Arianna String Quartet. Although she has played with several orchestras, including the St. Louis Youth Symphony Orchestra, Hannah especially enjoys playing chamber music with friends and colleagues.
 
As a teacher, Hannah endeavors to tailor her style to the needs and interests of each student individually. The love of music and the joy of playing the violin are what have driven Hannah through her musical exploits, and that is what she particularly wants to share with all her students.

Washington Academy of Music • washingtonacademyofmusic@gmail.com • (636)-432-2903 • 104 Elm St. Washington, MO