Audrey Bush Columbia Violin, Improvisation, Song Writing.

Audrey was born into a family of musicians from the small river town of Washington, Missouri. She began learning violin—classical and folk/fiddle—at the age of five, taking private lessons and joining the Washington School District orchestras, where she eventually became concertmaster. In high school, Audrey also participated in four musical theatre productions, sang in the East Central College Community Choir and earned state festival recognition.

Audrey plays music for occasional church services and regularly performs for local weddings and events, including the annual Sounds of Starkenburg Holiday Concerts. Her musical influences include Dr. Susie Thierbach of the Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis, Alison Krauss and, of course, Lindsey Stirling. She loves all styles and teaches learners of all kinds!

Audrey completed her BA in English from the University of Missouri in the spring of 2023 and is now working toward her graduate degree. She believes that music, with all its psychological benefits, truly has the power to stop time and change lives for the best. Audrey has worked at A Major Music Lessons since 2020.

Connor Leib Columbia Guitar, Bass, Drums, Arranging, Music Theory, Improvisation, Song Writing.

Connor is a multi-instrumentalist based out of St. Louis, Missouri, who, at a young age, “caught the bug” (a musical awakening) after hearing Nirvana for the first time. At that moment, he devoted his life to listening, playing, and writing music. Connor got started right away with music lessons and also did the School of Rock as a young teen, learning how to be a musician, mastering his instruments, as well as learning about live performance. He loved it so much that, during the summers, he would help teach the summer camps there.

Connor used to admire musicians from afar, believing he could never be one himself. However, after taking lessons, he discovered that anyone can become a musician with dedication and practice. Through hard work, he developed his musical skills, which some might mistakenly perceive as “a knack” for music. Once he mastered his first instrument, he found that picking up additional ones became much easier, fueling his passion and growth as a musician.

Kaitlin Arellano Columbia Piano, Voice, Ukulele, Ear Training, Music Theory, Improvisation, Song Writing, Conducting.

Kaitlin is a classically trained musician from rural southwest Kansas. Although it was a challenge to pursue music education in an agricultural environment, Kaitlin and her parents were determined to find opportunities for musical growth wherever they could. Weekly hour-long drives for piano lessons, trips across the state for weekend performances and collegiate music workshops, along with daily in-home musical immersion, have all shaped Kaitlin into the musician she is today.

Kaitlin received her degree in Music from Emporia State University, where she minored in Psychology, sparked by her interest in Music Therapy. She understands the intrinsic motivation required to continue pursuing music education and works hard to instill confidence in her students by fostering a positive, healthy learning environment.

With eight years of teaching experience, Kaitlin has positively impacted many students and is passionate about how music can shape us into better individuals. In her free time, she enjoys crafting and creating, traveling back to Kansas to visit family, learning Spanish, and advocating for causes like environmental sustainability within her local community.

Phiya Kushi Columbia Guitar, Piano, Ear Training, Arranging, Music Theory, Improvisation, Song Writing.

At an early age his older musical sister taught him to read music and he was immediately hooked. By age 11 he spent hours on the piano learning every song and style he heard and loved. In his teens, he was gifted a classical guitar and quickly developed the ability to learn songs and complex chord arrangements by ear on the guitar. Although he loves playing and teaching all different genres, his forte is classical and finger styles.

Professionally, Phiya is a macrobiotic educator and has worked in the natural and organic foods industry his entire life. Through the years, in his spare time and as a hobby, he strove to advance his musical skills whenever he could, focusing more recently on jazz piano improvisation and expanding his Brazilian, Spanish and classical guitar. Through the years he has met and been inspired by many musicians who sees music as the universal language that brings people together.