Group Classes
At the Butler Community Arts School, we offer our students the opportunity to learn as part of a group. Group classes take place in Lilly Hall on Butler University’s campus. Check out the Spring 2024 options below!
Spring 2024
Ages: 18+
Meeting times: Fridays at 5pm-5:45pm starting January 19 through April 19. There will be no class on March 15.
Tuition: $250 due January 12
Registration Deadline: January 12
Class Information: No previous dance experience is required. Movers get ready to return to dance, or get started dancing for the first time. The focus will be on basic technique and conditioning, borrowing from ballet, jazz, yoga, modern dance, and more. The attire is athletic clothing and shoes are not required.
Meet the instructor, Jaclyn Virgin Oomkes!
Jaclyn Virgin Oomkes is an Indianapolis native. She received her BFA from Butler University in Dance Performance. Immediately following, she became a member of Dance Kaleidoscope – Professional Modern Dance Company in Indianapolis, IN. In 2006 she began to blossom in her teaching/choreography career. She has been teaching classical modern, ballet, and jazz for over 20 years. She has been a guest teacher/ choreographer for various companies such as Dance Kaleidoscope, Motus Dance Theatre, Libada Dance Company and Kenyetta Dance Company. She was on faculty at Jordan Academy of Dance where she taught ballet, modern, and jazz and was Associate Director to the Jordan Dance Ensemble. She has been on faculty for the Butler Ballet Summer Intensive since 2016. Currently, Jaclyn serves as Adjunct Dance Faculty at Butler University and is a certified Yoga/ Pilates instructor for various studios and clubs around Indianapolis. Jaclyn is excited to share her passion and joy of dance to all ages of life.
Register for Adult Strings Ensemble
Ages: 18+
Meeting times: Fridays at the following times starting January 19 through April 19
- Beginning Ensemble from 4:45pm-5:45pm
- Intermediate Ensemble from 6pm-7pm
Tuition: $225 due January 12
Registration Deadline: January 12
Class Information: Dust off your instrument or fulfill a lifelong dream and join the Adult Strings Ensemble! We will learn note reading and basic playing techniques on the violin, viola, cello, and bass in a fun, no-pressure environment.
No audition is required. Beginning Ensemble assumes no prior experience. Intermediate Ensemble requires one year or more of prior study. If unsure about your level or ability, or have questions about the curriculum, please contact the ensemble director, Ms. Shannon Crow via email at scrow@butler.edu
Participants must provide their own instrument. All other materials will be provided.
Meet the instructor, Shannon Crow!
Shannon M. Crow is a graduate of Butler University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Ms. Crow has been teaching private violin and viola lessons for over 20 years, and has extensive experience teaching students from 4 years to 80 years of age. Currently she conducts Orchestra B and the Parent Orchestra of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, as well as teaches private lessons. At the Butler Community Arts School, Shannon founded and directs the Adult Strings Ensembles, the Butler Children’s Orchestra, Butler Youth Orchestra and Butler Strings Camp, as well as teaches private violin and viola lessons. When not teaching private lessons, Ms. Crow has partnered with the VA in research and in supporting our veterans through music; and is an avid performer in local orchestras and for private events.
Register for Butler Youth Jazz Program
Ages: 12-18
Meeting times: Sundays from 1pm-3pm starting April 7 through April 28. There is a tentative concert on May 5.
Tuition: $225 due March 31
Registration Deadline: March 31
Class Information: Join the Butler Youth Jazz Program for jazz combos! Students will be split into combos and work with local jazz professionals to hone their jazz skills. One prior year of experience on your instrument is required. A placement audition is also required with registration.
Placement audition requirements:
- Prepared jazz piece of student’s choice
- 4 Scales of your choice (major, chromatic, mixolydian, etc.) – except drummers
- Improvisation on a 12-bar Bb blues
- Drummers, demonstrate 16-bars of 3 styles (medium swing, latin/bossa, rock/funk)
- Guitar and piano, prepared piece should demonstrate comping
- Bass, prepared piece should demonstrate bass lines (your piece should include this)
Meet the instructor, Kent Hickey
Kent Hickey is an in-demand trumpet player and educator based in Indianapolis, IN. He is currently on faculty at both Butler University and the University of Indianapolis as Adjunct Professor of Jazz Trumpet where he teaches applied lessons and jazz combo. In addition to his university teaching responsibilities, Kent also serves as the Outreach Liaison for the Butler Youth Jazz Program, a component of the Butler Community Arts School. Professionally, Kent freelances in and around Indianapolis and leads two groups of his own, the Hickey-Shanafelt 9ollective and the Kent Hickey Trio. His groups have performed at renowned local and regional venues like the Chatterbox, Merriman’s Playhouse, Blockhouse Bar, Fulton Street Collective (Chicago), Blu Jazz+ (Akron), and the world-famous Jazz Kitchen. Less recently, Kent played trumpet on Royal Caribbean cruise ships the Summers of 2018 and 2019. Future aspirations include additional teaching at the university level, continuing to freelance professionally, and releasing recordings of original compositions and arrangements.
Meet the Faculty!
Richard Dole is an active tenor/bass trombonist and educator in Indianapolis and the surrounding region. He performs with several regional orchestras including Sinfonia da Camera Orchestra in Champaign/Urbana Illinois, The Illinois Symphony, Danville Symphony, Carmel Symphony, and the Anderson Symphony Orchestra. He has toured or performed with Aretha Franklin, Johnny Mathis, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Steve Lawrence/Edie Gorme, Barry Manilo, the Hollywood Concert Orchestra China tour, and in 2008 traveled with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra to Egypt for a US State Department Tour. He received both his Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance and Masters Degree in Jazz Studies from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He has studied with legends in both the jazz and trombone world including: M. Dee Stewart, Edwin Anderson, Carl Lenthe, Dominic Spera, and Dr. David N. Baker. He is currently ABD in his pursuit of the Doctorate of Musical Arts in Jazz Performance degree at University of Illinois where he is the Teaching Assistant for trombonist Jim Pugh.
Dr. Ansyn Banks (Professor of Jazz Trumpet at the University of Louisville) a dedicated and impactful educator of jazz music, teaches jazz trumpet, jazz improvisation, and directs U of L’s Jazz Ensemble I. Originally from Columbus Ohio, Ansyn has performed with Dick Oatts, Vincent Herring, Doc Severinsen, Charles McPherson, Gene Walker, Adam Nussbaum andmany other jazz artists. Ansyn regularly performs at or adjudicates jazz festivals throughout thenation. He’s also had the honor of being a faculty member for the Jamey Aebersold’s summerjazz workshops for 15 years. As a top call freelance artist, Ansyn frequently performs with his quintet Legacy, and also records for Hal Leonard jazz publications. In the world of R&B, Ansyn has performed with a number of classic groups such as The Mighty Dells, The Temptations, The Temptations Review, The Four Tops, and the late Aretha Franklin.
Ages: 12+
Meeting times: Saturdays from 10:45am-12pm starting on January 20 through April 20
Tuition: $150 due January 13
Registration Deadline: January 13
Class Information: We invite piano and string playing students ages 12+ (including adults) to join us for a year of making music in small chamber ensembles (trios, quartets, etc). Through this unique opportunity, students will strengthen their leadership, communication, and musical skills. Enjoy coaching from accomplished professional musicians and Butler University students each week while working on exciting new repertoire! At least two years on your instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass, or piano) is required.
A placement audition must be submitted with registration. Strings players should submit 1-2 minutes of an etude and solo, plus a 2-3 octave scale with shifting. Pianists should submit 1-2 minutes of an etude, plus a 2-3 octave scale.
Meet the instructor, Shannon Crow !
Shannon M. Crow is a graduate of Butler University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Ms. Crow has been teaching private violin and viola lessons for over 20 years, and has extensive experience teaching students from 4 years to 80 years of age. Currently she conducts Orchestra B and the Parent Orchestra of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, as well as teaches private lessons. At the Butler Community Arts School, Shannon founded and directs the Adult Strings Ensembles, the Butler Children’s Orchestra, Butler Youth Orchestra and Butler Strings Camp, as well as teaches private violin and viola lessons. When not teaching private lessons, Ms. Crow has partnered with the VA in research and in supporting our veterans through music; and is an avid performer in local orchestras and for private events.
Register for Creative Movement
Ages: 3-5
Meeting times: Wednesdays from 6:15pm-7pm starting on January 17 through April 17. There will be no class on March 13.
Tuition: $250 due January 10
Registration Deadline: January 10
Class Information: This fun class will focus on stretching, circle time, ensemble awareness, improvisation, and movement across the floor. We will have delightful music and props to work with for imaginative play. The attire is comfortable clothing and shoes are not required.
Meet the instructor, Jaclyn Virgin Oomkes!
Jaclyn Virgin Oomkes is an Indianapolis native. She received her BFA from Butler University in Dance Performance. Immediately following, she became a member of Dance Kaleidoscope – Professional Modern Dance Company in Indianapolis, IN. In 2006 she began to blossom in her teaching/choreography career. She has been teaching classical modern, ballet, and jazz for over 20 years. She has been a guest teacher/ choreographer for various companies such as Dance Kaleidoscope, Motus Dance Theatre, Libada Dance Company and Kenyetta Dance Company. She was on faculty at Jordan Academy of Dance where she taught ballet, modern, and jazz and was Associate Director to the Jordan Dance Ensemble. She has been on faculty for the Butler Ballet Summer Intensive since 2016. Currently, Jaclyn serves as Adjunct Dance Faculty at Butler University and is a certified Yoga/ Pilates instructor for various studios and clubs around Indianapolis. Jaclyn is excited to share her passion and joy of dance to all ages of life.
Register for Guitar for Little Bulldogs
Ages: 5-7
Meeting times: Saturdays at 11am-11:45am starting January 20 through April 20. There will be no class on March 16.
Tuition: $225 due January 13
Registration Deadline: January 13
Class Information: Guitar for Little Bulldogs focuses on beginning guitar instruction and introduction to music. No previous experience is required.
Meet the instructor, Grady Locke!
Grady is a nineteen-year-old bassist and guitarist from El Paso Texas. He has played both instruments since he was nine and found success in competitions throughout the state of Texas and the country. He has a diverse background in music having played in countless ensembles across many genres including, classical, jazz, folk, praise band, mariachi, rock, and funk. He has had several years of experience teaching private lessons and working with students of many ages and skill levels. He is currently a sophomore studying Bass performance at Butler University.
Register for Piano for Little Bulldogs
Ages: 5-6
Meeting times: This class will meet each Saturday at the following times starting January 20 through April 20. There will be no class on March 16.
- Session 1: 9:30am-10:30am
- Session 2: 11am-12pm
Tuition: $225 due January 13
Registration Deadline: January 13
Class Information: Piano for Little Bulldogs is designed for students ages 5-6 and focuses on beginning piano instruction. No previous music experience is required. Please note that a parent or caregiver must attend class with the child; a keyboard or piano must be available for practice at home.
Meet the instructor, Brenna Green!
