From 2001 until 2004 Mary worked as a movement educator at Kansas State University teaching contemporary dance and dance science with an emphasis in Laban Movement Analysis and Bartenieff Fundamentals. Currently she is creating new work in Seattle, WA while serving as an associate editor for the semi-annual journal Movement News and teaching for the SPARX program in Tacoma, WA and at Seeds of Learning in Redmond, WA.

Natasha Stasko
Instructor for Arts, math and Science

The classes for the summer program of science, math, art, and art history will be taught by University of Washington student Natasha Stasko. Ms. Stasko, an AP scholar, studies art history and french at the UW where she has been on the Dean's List for three consecutive quarters. Before declaring a double major in art history and french, she studied Molecular Biology and as a result has an extensive background studying in the science field and relating it to an understandable level for children. She enjoys teaching her students and is looking forward to the summer program!

Lisa Beyeler
Voice and Piano

Lisa began playing the piano when she was six years old, studying under Helene Krasko and Ludmilla Solovjev. She performed at recitals and many community functions, and taught piano to several of her peers in high school. She began professionally teaching children in 1999 and now teaches at the Highlands Summer Learning Home. Lisa strongly believes that children should learn piano at an early age so that they become accustomed to reading the often complex musical score required for piano and to train their fingers to the intricacies of simultaneously playing both melody and harmony.

Lisa has been studying voice for over six years. She is a high soprano and is presently being trained in the classical voice by Ludmilla Solovjev, and has also taken lessons from Kathleen Powell and Julian Patrick. Lisa has performed regularly in recitals, master classes, regional and state competitions, and different choirs, including the University Chorale at the University of Washington. She feels that even though a child's voice will change over time, voice training should begin early to build a child's confidence in his abilities to sing and to perform and to teach him how to utilize his musculature and breathing to achieve optimum results for his talents.

Lisa brings to our school more than her expertise in piano and voice; she has been and continues to be a strong advocate for children's organizations: she volunteers with the YMCA and the Big Brothers Big Sisters Corporation as well as the University District's Youth Shelter. She has also worked for the directors of the Highline School District's Teen Parent Program. Lisa is currently enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle.
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Jorge Morales
Piano

My name is Jorge Morales. I am originally from Bolivia. I came to the U.S. in 1986 when I was six years old. I have been living in Seattle ever since. I began learning to read music notation by playing the flute in 5th grade band. I soon became interested in keyboard and began teaching myself some pieces. Soon after, my family decided to buy a piano. A few months later I began taking lessons from a piano teacher named Helena Azevedo. I was 12. My first year of lessons was not easy; luckily, the teacher was very good at developing my technique.

At the age of 13, I performed my first audition, playing the first movement of Beethoven's Sonata No. 5. A year later I learned all three movements of this sonata. In the summer of 1994 I performed this piece, along with some pieces by Chopin and Albeniz. in my first solo recital. I entered adjudication (playing for audiences with a different piano teacher to comment on the performance) in 1996, an event organized by the Washington State Music Teachers Association, affiliated with Music Teachers National Association. I have also participated in the Seattle Young Artist Festival and in similar adjudications. In 1995 I returned to Bolivia to perform a solo recital in the capital La Paz. The following year I entered the Simon-Fiset Piano Competition held by the Seattle Music Teachers. I placed first in my division and was awarded a scholarship and was given the privilege of playing in the honors recital. As a result of winning first place, my family and friends organized an event to celebrate the Independence Day of Bolivia. I performed a solo recital of classical music and played traditional music of South America. In 1998 I was featured in the Young Artists Series held by Sherman Clay Steinway of Seattle in which I performed a solo recital. In 1998 I auditioned to the University of Washington and was awarded a scholarship for the academic year.

From the ages of 12 to 18 I studied exclusively with Helena Azevedo. She has a doctoral degree in piano performance and currently teaches at Shoreline Community College as well as running her own piano studio. She has given me much inspiration as a teacher and as a person and I owe my foundation of piano to her. Upon entering the University of Washington I studied with Bela Siki. He is a renowned pianist and teacher. He has had an international career as a pianist but has retired from concertizing and from teaching at the University of Washington. He now teaches privately and performs concerts on occasion throughout the country.

Upon being admitted to U.W., I decided to pursue a degree in Music Education. In pursuing this degree I have studied many instruments and areas of music outside of piano performance. I believe this has enabled me to expand on my musicianship and my role as a teacher. I have been exposed to theories of teaching and concepts for teaching children. Currently I am teaching five students, their level ranging from beginners to advanced. They are making steady progress. I enjoy working with them greatly.

I have four quarters left in the university to finish my degree in Music Education and plan to pursue a Masters Degree in Piano Performance or Composition.
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