Experience Virtuosity!
Philosophy and History of Virtuosity!
In January of 2011, Summit Christian Academy began a new program celebrating and emphasizing excellence in the arts called Virtuosity! Through weekly private lessons and authentic performance opportunities, students are encouraged to develop their talents and use them to glorify the Lord. Students participating in Virtuosity! uphold the highest standards in a personal commitment to both refine their skills and appropriately experience the arts. SCA is blessed to continue building on the vision cast by our strategic planning committee that called for emphasis on "Academics, the Arts, and Athletics." To God's glory, our school has now taken more students to the state level of music competition than ever before. We attribute this to the drive for excellence as unto the Lord within our faculty and students. Virtuosity! plays a part in this excellence as students begin to fulfill their potential in the area of the arts.
General Information
The Enrollment Process
Music lessons are available before, during, and after school. Lesson availability depends upon teacher hours, rooms available, and student schedule. During registration, there is a two-day period of scheduling priority for returning students (from the previous school year/summer); then, all students are assigned on a first-come, first served basis. Lessons received during school hours will be subject to principal and in some cases, classroom teacher approval. Secondary students, who have chosen Life Prep as an elective, may be able to take lessons during this assigned hour if a teacher and lesson room are available. Lessons are offered in piano, voice, guitar, strings (violin, viola), clarinet, percussion/ drum set, beginning brass, flute, harp (prerequisite: 2 years of piano lessons OR proficiency in note reading and basic rhythms), saxophone, and worship teams.
If you are interested in signing up for Virtuosity! or want more information, please email Virtuosity! Director Joy Parke at jparke@sca-kc.org. Registrations will be accepted until available slots are filled and then students will be placed on a waiting list. It is recommended that students who are interested in lessons request enrollment as soon as possible, as there is a constant waiting list and limited availability.
Virtuosity! Teachers - Who are they?
All private lesson teachers are just as thoroughly vetted as all faculty and staff at SCA. Teachers are required to sign a statement of faith, provide information on their home church, submit transcripts from colleges, and provide letters of recommendation. These teachers could have easily chosen to run a successful studio in their homes, but they chose to work with SCA because they love your students and the warm Christian environment that SCA creates. Most Virtuosity! teachers also perform professionally in the greater Kansas City area and/or serve in their churches. They are excellent role models for your students and take joy in being able to pour into
them on a weekly basis. For more details on individual Virtuosity! teachers, please see pages 710 for their biographies.
Recitals
To encourage a commitment to excellence in musical study and performance, Virtuosity! students are given the opportunity to showcase their hard work and talents through two annual recitals, in December and late April/early May. Virtuosity! teachers, at their individual discretion, may wait until the second semester of lessons to give a performance opportunity to first-year students in order to dedicate more lesson time to the development of foundational skills during the early months of study.
Lesson Schedule and Billing Procedures
Virtuosity! lessons take place once a week for 30 minutes on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Longer lesson times (45 or 60 minutes) may be available for secondary students, if scheduling allows and only if that option is offered by their teacher. In the Fall Semester, Virtuosity! lessons begin the first week of September and go until the first week of December. In the Spring Semester, lessons resume the first full school week of January and go until the first week of May. Makeup lessons occur the second week of December and the second week of May. Families are billed for these lessons on a flat monthly rate. In addition to paying our wonderful Virtuosity! teachers, the Virtuosity! monthly fee also covers the care and maintenance of the pianos as well as the expenses for the recitals, facilities, and administrative support staff. In the summer, students have the opportunity to continue their lessons, depending on teacher availability and scheduling considerations.
Financial Information
All fees are invoiced via the family FACTS account.
Registration and T-Shirt
$35.00 - This fee is for new students and includes the cost of a Virtuosity! T-shirt. There is no registration fee for returning students. Virtuosity! T-shirts will be worn with dress code bottoms on the Friday before each recital as well as in the annual yearbook photo.
Replacement Virtuosity! T-shirts are $12.
Lesson Fees
$95 per month during the school year. Lessons are billed through your SCA FACTS account on a monthly basis (October-June) and the flat rate takes into consideration school breaks and holidays. The monthly fee will be proportionately adjusted for longer lesson times.
Summer lessons are billed using one fee to include all lessons offered: $200 for seven 30-minute lessons. There are no makeup lessons during the summer for student-initiated absences, but teacher-initiated absences will be credited to the students FACTS account.
Lesson Books, Music, Materials, and Instrument
The individual Virtuosity! teacher will discuss with the parents what teaching materials and book purchases need to be made. Parents must also provide a good quality instrument for athome practice. If parents have any concerns about the quality of their home instrument, please contact the Virtuosity! teacher.
Policies and Procedures
Absences and Makeup Lessons
Lessons will be given on a weekly basis following the SCA calendar. Each student is allowed one makeup lesson for a student-initiated absence per semester. All other student-initiated absences will not be made up or refunded. Out of courtesy to your teacher, please be sure to communicate at least 24 hours in advance if your student needs to miss a lesson. Please do not depend on school personnel to communicate your child's absence for you, even during the school day. Teacher-initiated absences will be made up at a mutually agreed upon time, or a credit will be issued to the FACTS account. School-initiated absences, such as snow days, will be made up within two weeks or a credit will be issued to your FACTS account. Lessons missed due to school activities, like field trips or special all-school rehearsals, can generally be rescheduled; however, teachers are not required to give makeup lessons under these circumstances, and no credit will be issued to the FACTS account. From time to time, students come to lessons unprepared. If a student comes ill-prepared for a lesson by forgetting books and/or instrument, the Virtuosity! teacher is not required to give a lesson that week and a missed lesson under those circumstances will not be made up.
Withdrawal Policy
The SCA Virtuosity! Parental Agreement is for the entire school year (from September to May). Should you wish to withdraw, we ask for a 30-day notice to be provided to the teacher and the Virtuosity! Director.
Noncompete Clause
Virtuosity! teachers have agreed to a noncompete clause in their hire-on agreements, which reads as follows:
NONCOMPETITION. As an employee working in SCA's Virtuosity! Program, I agree with SCA that during the Term and for a period of one (1) year following the date of termination or nonrenewal of Virtuosity! services, I shall not provide private services to former Virtuosity! students/families; and/or actively solicit SCA parents/students/employees to sever their relationship with Virtuosity!
Expectations: Students, Parents, Virtuosity! Teacher, and Virtuosity! Director
Student Expectations
● Practice on a daily basis in a quiet environment free of distractions.
● Be prepared for lessons with instruments, music, and pencil.
● Attend lessons with punctuality, a learning spirit, and a happy heart.
● Be vocal with the teacher about any questions or concerns about lesson expectations.
● Give their best performance possible at the December and May recitals.
● Wear their official Virtuosity! T-shirt on special days, as noted in the handbook.
● Share their love of music with their friends and family.
● Enjoy creating music and then enjoy it some more!
Parent Expectations
● Develop a relationship with their student’s Virtuosity! teacher including communication when a student will be absent for illness, family trip, field trip, or other conflict, or any information that is pertinent to the success of the private lesson experience.
● Contact information must be exchanged with the private instructor. (Please do not rely on SCA personnel to notify Virtuosity! teachers of your student's absence.)
● Provide lesson materials and/or method books that are needed by the student after discussion with the teacher.
● Provide a quality instrument for at-home practice to fully maximize the educational value of taking private lessons.
● Provide a quiet practice space at home that is conducive to uninterrupted focus. The parent will encourage daily practice throughout the week. Without daily practice, there is no improvement. Without improvement, there is no joy in the learning process.
● Assist the student to be prepared for each weekly lesson by reminding students to bring lesson books and materials on lesson day. If a student comes ill-prepared for a lesson by forgetting books and/or instruments, the Virtuosity! teacher is not required to give a lesson that week and a missed lesson under those circumstances will not be made up.
Teacher Expectations
● Develop a relationship with both the student and parents, in order to be a most effective partner in the private lesson experience.
● Establish communication with both student and parents, in order to inform and be informed regarding student progress as well as absences and other information that will allow lessons to run smoothly and consistently.
● Discuss with the parents what teaching materials and book purchases need to be made before lessons start and as the student progresses.
● Address questions and concerns in regard to specific students and their lesson experiences, once lessons are in progress. The teacher may appeal to the Director if assistance is needed resolving an issue, but only after sufficient effort has been made by the teacher and the student and parents.
● Keep accurate records in regard to student attendance in order to turn in an accurate count of lessons taught each month.
● Schedule a makeup lesson at the earliest convenience of all parties for each teacherinitiated absence or absence due to inclement weather. If a makeup cannot be scheduled, then a credit will be issued to the student’s FACTS account.
Director Expectations
● Take inquiries regarding the Virtuosity! program, sending out information and availability of lesson times with specific teachers.
● Schedule lessons as allowed by the teachers’ schedule and the specific room schedules.
● Draw up Virtuosity! Parental Agreement forms for each student who enrolls in Virtuosity! Director shall follow up with families new to Virtuosity! to review the form, issue a Virtuosity! handbook, go over the policies/procedures, and answer any questions.
● Schedule and plan a Christmas Recital in December and a Spring Recital in late April/earlyMay. This includes coordinating with the SCA scheduler as well as the maintenance department as to needs for the recitals.
● Communicate with Virtuosity! teachers and families about pertinent announcements in regard to recitals, snow days, and other information needed for lessons to run smoothly.
● Assist Virtuosity! teachers to schedule makeup lessons or resolve any issue that cannot be resolved between the teacher and parents.
Worship Team Lessons
Worship team lessons for elementary (5th/6th) and junior high (7th/8th) are available on Wednesdays after school for an hour (JH at 3:00 and Elem at 4:00). Positions are limited. These two worship teams will lead worship music for the elementary chapels on selected dates throughout the school year and will also participate in the Virtuosity! recital.
Keyboardists, guitarists, drummers, and vocalists in 5th-8th grade are welcome to register. The worship team director (Mrs. Natalie Meyer, nataliemeyer@sca-kc.org) will select the members of each team without obligation to the date/time of registration, and tryouts may be a part of this selection process. Worship team lessons are billed at a flat monthly rate of $75 from September through May. Students who are new to the Virtuosity! program will pay a $35 registration fee which also covers the cost of the Virtuosity! t-shirt.
In the fall semester, worship team lessons will begin the first week of September and go until the second week of December. In the spring semester, lessons will resume the first full school week of January and go until the second week of May. If there is no school, there is no lesson. There are no makeup weeks at the end of the semester and no credits to the FACTS account for missed lessons. However, if the teacher is absent or if there is a snow day, the teacher is expected to try to schedule a makeup lesson. No credit will be given if a student cannot attend a makeup lesson.
Virtuosity! Teacher Biographies
Pam Block, Piano, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Harp, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone Horn (euphonium), and Voice
Mrs. Block is a versatile musician and arranger/composer. She has been a church musician (piano/organ/worship/choir director) for many years, starting as church organist at age 12. She has taught private piano for 50 years and also teaches harp, voice, and several band instruments. She recently retired from public school education where she taught music, choir, and band for many years. Mrs. Block studied vocal performance, piano, saxophone, and arranging/composing at Olivet Nazarene University and MidAmerica Nazarene University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in music. She continued her education with master's classes in voice and education. For several years, Mrs. Block traveled on weekends, performing original songs and hymn arrangements in worship concerts at churches across the country. She has two CDs of piano, harp and vocal music, and provides harp, piano, organ or vocal music for special occasions. Mrs. Block is certified in harp therapy, which she uses in hospitals and nursing homes. She currently is the organist at Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene, sings in the choir, and plays in the church orchestra. Outside of music, Mrs. Block enjoys reading, hiking, zip-lining, yard work, and spending time with her three adult children.
Dr. Kate Choi, Piano
Dr. Kate Choi is an acclaimed musician, accompanist, and composer. Dr. Choi has played many solo recitals and concertos with the DK Orchestra in South Korea, and KU Symphony Orchestra at the Lied Center. She performed as a member of Orenunn contemporary trio in NJ, Seoul, and Bangkok. Dr. Choi has been active in numerous master classes and music festivals in Aspen, Chautauqua, and summer music schools in France. She holds a DMA from KU and MM from UMKC. Kate is a member of MTAC and has over 20 years of teaching experience. She joined SCA as a Virtuosity! teacher in 2020 after moving from Southern California. She has three children.
Elizabeth Martin, Violin/Viola
Elizabeth Martin, a native of Kansas City, began playing violin at a young age and quickly developed a love for music. Elizabeth attended the UMKC Conservatory of Music for two years, where she studied violin performance under Joseph Genualdi. Elizabeth later attended Bob Jones University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in music, studying under Dr. Brandon Ironside. Elizabeth has been a part of community orchestras and small instrumental ensembles for a number of years and regularly collaborates with other musicians in the community. During 2018-2019, Elizabeth traveled with the Frazor Evangelistic Team, performing sacred music in churches across United States and around the world. Elizabeth enjoys performing for weddings and special occasions and is involved with the music ministry at her local church. Elizabeth is passionate about instilling a love of music in students of all ages through quality, creative, and enjoyable violin instruction and is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Virtuosity! program at SCA. Elizabeth and her husband reside in Lee’s Summit and enjoy spending time with family and friends and serving at their local church.
Natalie Meyer, Worship Teams, Beginning Piano and Voice
Mrs. Meyer is thrilled to be joining the Virtuosity! program this year. She and her husband are blessed with four children, two of whom currently attend SCA. She brings over 20 years of experience in teaching piano, and holds two associate degrees. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. Mrs. Meyer was a worship leader at Campus Bible Church in California and oversaw over 30 different band members. In 2020, she graduated from the California Psalmist Mission cohort, a distinguished program that provides comprehensive training in various aspects of music including instrumental and vocal technique, music theory, sight reading, and ear training, along with production and performance skills. Additionally, she completed the Ministry Leadership Certificate Program through Venture Church Network at Western Seminary in 2021. In 2022, she relocated to Missouri from California to be closer to family following her husband's diagnosis of leukemia in 2021. By the grace of God, he is now in remission and doing well. God has been so good and her family is blessed to be a part of SCA.
Joy Parke – Virtuosity! Director, Piano
Music has been a part of Mrs. Parke’s life for as long as she can remember. She learned to play piano, violin, and flute as a child and was involved in school band, choir, and high school musicals. She studied piano and voice and completed her bachelor's degree in music education at Olivet Nazarene University. In the spring of 2022, Mrs. Parke completed a master of arts in music with a piano pedagogy (teaching) focus from the University of Central Missouri. She has taught private piano lessons for over 20 years. Mrs. Parke is thankful for the opportunity to teach piano at SCA. It is a joy for her to work one-on-one with the students and to see their progress in piano as well as their growth as individuals. She has been married to Phil Parke for 34 years, and they have three sons, one daughter, two daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren. Mrs. Parke also sings and plays piano on the worship team at her church, KC First Church of the Nazarene, and assists her husband Phil with the church’s teen Bible quizzing program.
Dave Sager, Percussion and Drum Set
Mr. Sager is a Kansas City native and has been playing drums since the fifth grade. His formal education includes a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music Performance, both from the UMKC Conservatory of Music. He has performed with the Kansas City Symphony, St. Joseph Symphony, Lee’s Summit Symphony, Kansas City Wind Symphony, and the UMKC Percussion Ensemble. Mr. Sager is currently the principle timpanist for the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS. He is on the Board of Directors and past-president of the Mid-America Music Association. Mr. Sager also maintains a private studio and performs in local professional groups. He has been teaching for 30+ years and enjoys inspiring percussionists of all ages.
Dr. Stephen Scheperle, Guitar
Dr. Scheperle is from Jefferson City, Missouri, and came to SCA in 2021. He teaches 11th and 12th grade Bible and serves as the Bible Department Chair and the SCA Chapel Coordinator. He has a minor in church music and has served as the staff pastor over worship at two churches. He formally studied guitar as part of his church music minor, has been playing for nearly thirty years, and has enjoyed teaching lessons to students of various ages and abilities. He especially values helping students who aspire to use their growing guitar skills in church worship.
Haven Stone, Piano
Haven Stone is an SCA alumna and is thrilled to be coming back to SCA as a piano teacher for the Virtuosity! program. Haven has been playing piano since she was nine years old and music has played a very influential role in her life. She has been involved in theatre, choir, countless recitals, and a couple of worship teams throughout her life. She graduated from MCC with an Associate of Arts degree and is currently studying and deepening her knowledge about music and worship under the worship leaders at her church. She sings and plays piano and is using these skills to serve as one of the worship leaders for the youth ministry of her church. Haven also teaches private piano lessons out of her home. Christ is her biggest passion and being able to glorify Him through her music/worship and teach others to do the same is her favorite thing to do! She loves teaching young students to truly love music and to love using music to glorify Christ.
Dr. Greg Turner, Voice and Piano
Dr. Turner joined the SCA faculty in 2018. He has a D.A. in Music and an M.A. in Music/English from Ball State University and a B.A. in Music/English Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. He began his career teaching junior high (7-9) music and English at Santa Barbara Christian School (CA). Since then, he has taught music in public schools in Nebraska and Wisconsin. Prior to coming to SCA, He was the division chair for humanities and fine arts at Fort Scott Community College (KS), teaching music and English. He is the music director (choir director and organist) at First Presbyterian Fort Scott (KS). He and his wife Emily have been married 50 years and they have four daughters and nine grandchildren.
Julie VanderWoude, Voice and Piano
Julie began her musical journey with piano and voice lessons at an early age. This slowly grew her love for music as she became actively involved with worship ministry at her church as well as musical theatre in the community. Eventually she came to Kansas City in 2020 where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Worship Arts: Vocal Performance at Calvary University. It was during her time as a college student that she began teaching piano and voice privately in the KC area. This turned into a passion that she plans to pursue for as long as the Lord gives her the opportunity. She currently works full time at Calvary University as the lead admissions counselor and teaches private music lessons.
Ben White, Guitar
Mr. White is a Kansas City native musician. Growing up with a musical family, he played several different instruments growing up. Starting with the viola to the guitar, bass, piano, and the trombone. After high school, he attended the conservatory at UMKC. He now also teaches elementary music in the classroom at SCA. Mr. White and his wife Laura live in Midtown Kansas City with their Labradoodle Matisse.
Summit Christian Academy Virtuosity! Handbook
Summit Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.