Group Classes

Group Classes for the Spring 2025 semester are listed below.

Ages: 7-10 and 11-14

Meeting times: Sundays from February 23 – March 23

Age group 7-10 will have class from 10am-10:50am
Age group 11-14 will have class from 11am-11:50am

Tuition:

Total Tuition Cost: The cost of this program is $100
Non-Refundable Deposit: At checkout, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. This will be deducted from the tuition cost.
Remaining Balance: The remaining $50 of tuition is required one week before the program’s start date.

Registration Deadline: February 16, 2025

From the pages of beloved childhood stories to the thrill of live performance, this course offers students the chance to learn the basics of theater and embrace their inner actor. Students will be assigned roles and we’ll collectively create, stage, and perform stories from our favorite children’s books! Whether you are a well experienced actor or brand new to the stage, this course is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to dive into the joys of live theater!

Meet the instructor, Rylan Dowell!

Rylan Dowell is a sophomore at Butler University studying Acting with an emphasis in Music Theatre and Costume Design. He is originally from Crawfordsville, Indiana, and has been involved in the performing arts since elementary school. From being involved in local community theater to many years in choir to competition dance, Rylan has an enormous appreciation for the performing arts and hopes to share that love with others! He is super excited and grateful to be a part of the Butler Community Arts School!

Ages: 18+

Meeting times: Mondays 10am-10:50am beginning February 3 – April 14, 2025. No class will be held the week of March 10.

Tuition:

Total Tuition Cost: The cost of this program is $200
Non-Refundable Deposit: At checkout, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. This will be deducted from the tuition cost.
Remaining Balance: The remaining $150 of tuition is required one week before the program’s start date.

Registration Deadline: January 27, 2025

In this class you will learn how to read sheet music, different rhythmic patterns, note value, musical terms, intervals, chords, and be able to play familiar tunes. By the end of the course you will have gained a thorough understanding of the basic concepts of music on the piano.

Course Materials: Students are required to provide their own books. The required book is Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course Adult All-In-One Course Level 1 (Continued with Faber 3A)

Meet the Instructor, Dr. Li-Wen Weng!

Dr. Li-Went Weng is an active soloist and collaborative pianist. Originally from Taipei, Taiwan, she graduated from National Taiwan Normal University with a double major in Piano Performance and English. She earned her master’s degree in piano performance at Indiana University then obtained her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Her past awards include 2nd Prize Winner of the Alexander & Buono International Piano Competition, the 2nd Prize Winner of the Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition, and the 1st prize winner of the Yamaha Piano Competition. She currently serves as both an adjunct instructor of keyboard skills and a collaborative pianist at Butler University. For more information, visit Dr. Weng’s website.

Meeting times: Saturdays from 10am-10:50am, February 8 – April 19. There will be no class held on March 15.

Tuition:

Total Tuition Cost: The cost of this program is $200
Non-Refundable Deposit: At checkout, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. This will be deducted from the tuition cost.
Remaining Balance: The remaining $150 of tuition is required one week before the program’s start date.

Registration Deadline: February 1

Adult Ukulele, an introductory class, is for anyone over the age of 18 who wants to learn or expand their ukulele and musical knowledge. We’ll talk about the “basic” ukulele chords, learn songs from all genres, and can even get into creating music. The goal of this course is to be open ended and inclusive to anyone who wants to be involved in music through playing ukulele. There are no prerequisites required for this course. Students will be able to request a ukulele at the time of registration, if one is needed.

Meet the instructor, Korah De Leon!

Korah De Leon is a senior music education student at Butler University. They have been playing ukulele since their sophomore year of high school and it has become not only a secondary instrument (as saxophone is their primary), but also one of their favorite subjects to teach! Korah has been teaching private lessons for Butler Community Arts School (BCAS) since the spring of 2023, and they taught a ukulele group class during the fall of the same year. They have also recently co-taught the summer 2024 Ukulele Camp held through BCAS, and has been involved in teaching at schools within the Indianapolis area. Korah has a strong passion for teaching and making music education more accessible and strives to be the best educator they can be!

Ages: 18+

Meeting times: Fridays at the following times from January 17 to April 18, 2025. No class will be held on March 14.

Beginning Ensemble from 4:45pm-5:45pm
Intermediate Ensemble from 6pm-7pm

Tuition:

Total Tuition Cost: The cost of this program is $250
Non-Refundable Deposit: At checkout, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. This will be deducted from the tuition cost.
Remaining Balance: The remaining $200 of tuition is required at least one week before the program’s start date.

Registration Deadline: January 10, 2025

Course Description: 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.

Ages: 12-18

Meeting times: Sundays, 1-3pm from March 23 – April 27, 2025. There will be a concert at the Jazz Kitchen on May 4 from 12-2pm.

Tuition:

Total Tuition Cost: The cost of this program is $275
Non-Refundable Deposit: At checkout, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. This will be deducted from the tuition cost.
Remaining Balance: The remaining $225 of tuition is required one week before the program’s start date.

Registration Deadline: March 17, 2025

Course Description: Join the Butler Youth Jazz Program for combos! Students will be split into combos and work with local jazz professionals to hone their skills. This semester’s guest artist is Steven Snyder, Jazz Organist.

Prerequisites: One prior year of experience on your instrument is required.

Placement audition requirements:

A placement audition is required with your registration. Email your audition video to the instructor, Kent Hickey, via kahicke1@butler.edu

Prepared Jazz Piece: Choose and perform a jazz piece of your own selection.
- Guitar and Piano: Your prepared piece should include examples of comping (accompanying) within the performance.
- Bass: Your prepared piece should include prominent bass lines that showcase your playing.
Scales (for all instruments except drummers): Prepare and play four scales of your choice, which can include major, chromatic, mixolydian, etc.
Improvisation: Play an improvisation over a 12-bar Bb blues progression.
Drummers: Demonstrate your skills with 16 bars each of three different styles:
- Medium swing
- Latin/Bossa Nova
- Rock/Funk

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. Visit Kent’s website.

Ages: 12+

Meeting times: Saturdays from 10am-11:15am from February 8 to April 19, 2025. No class will be held March 15.

Tuition:

Total Tuition Cost: The cost of this program is $150
Non-Refundable Deposit: At checkout, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. This will be deducted from the tuition cost.
Remaining Balance: The remaining $100 of tuition is required one week before the program’s start date.

Registration Deadline: February 1, 2025

Course Description: Chamber Players offers a unique intergenerational musical experience, assembling players of similar skill levels into small chamber ensembles. Participants will explore a diverse repertoire, develop leadership abilities, enhance independent playing, and bolster confidence on their instruments.

Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years of instrumental experience, proficiency in note reading, and be at least 12 years old.

All orchestral string instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass) and piano players are encouraged to join.

Meet the instructor, Shannon Crow!

Ages: 14+

Meeting times: Sundays, 6:00pm-7:30pm from February 9 – April 20, 2025. No class will be held on March 9, 2025.

Tuition:

Total Tuition Cost: The cost of this program is $200
Non-Refundable Deposit: At checkout, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. This will be deducted from the tuition cost.
Remaining Balance: The remaining $150 of tuition is required one week before the program’s start date.

Registration Deadline: February 2, 2025

The BCAS Composer’s Studio welcomes all musicians to come together and learn about the craft of music composition. Participants will learn the fundamentals of music composition and theory while learning how to engage with their own creative minds to create musical works for their peers as well as ensembles of their choosing. We will close out our time together with a finale concert featuring compositions of the participants. No previous composition experience is required, but basic note reading and proficiency on an instrument is required. Access to a laptop or desktop computer will be beneficial to this course, but is not required.

There are no prerequisites are required for this course.

Meet the instructor, Jack Nesser!

A native of West Terre Haute, Indiana, Jack Nesser is an award-winning instrumentalist, composer, educator, and conductor. During his time in high school, he became a nationally recognized composer, winning composition contests through Heidelberg University and Appalachian State University. Jack has been a featured composer, and in some events a featured conductor, with the West Vigo High School Concert Band, West Vigo High School Choirs, Terre Haute South Vigo High School Bands, Terre Haute Children’s Choir, Indiana State University Concert Band and Wind Orchestra, Mt. Vernon High School Wind Ensemble, Terre Haute Community Band, and the Vincennes University Concert Band. He has been commissioned by the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra League and the Ivory Winds to write new works for chamber ensembles. As a multi-instrumentalist, Jack was selected to be a member of the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 Indiana Bandmasters Association All-State Honors Ensemble, earning positions in the ensemble on bass clarinet, flute, and piccolo, where he served as 1st chair flute and piccolo during the years of 2023 and 2024. Jack has been employed with the Indiana State University Community School of the Arts since May of 2023 and has served as a camp counselor, private flute and composition instructor, pre-k music instructor, program intern, and summer staff lead. Jack has been studying flute for the past two years with Dr. Angela Reynolds, flute instructor at Indiana State University and principal flute of the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. Jack will attend Butler University this fall to study music composition under Dr. Michael Schelle and flute/piccolo under Rebecca Arrensen. To keep up with Jack’s latest works, you can follow him on Instagram @jack_nesser.

Ages: 12-18

Meeting times: Thursdays, 7:00-8:15pm from February 6 – April 17, 2025. No class will be held on March 13.

Tuition:

Total Tuition Cost: The cost of this program is $200
Non-Refundable Deposit: At checkout, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. This will be deducted from the tuition cost.
Remaining Balance: The remaining $150 of tuition is required one week before the program’s start date.

Registration Deadline: January 30, 2025

Flutists will engage in weekly rehearsals of repertoire from classical to pop for flute choir. Students will learn collaboration and teamwork in an intimate chamber ensemble environment. The ensemble will perform a final recital for family and friends at the end of the semester. Any middle or high school student flutist who can perform works in either group 1 or 2 at ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest or has at least 3 years of experience playing can participate. All flutes, from piccolo to bass are welcome to join!

Meet the instructor, Jack Nesser!

Ages: 5-6

Meeting times: Sundays from 2-2:50pm, February 9 – April 20. No class will be held on March 16.

Tuition:

Total Tuition Cost: The cost of this program is $200
Non-Refundable Deposit: At checkout, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. This will be deducted from the tuition cost.
Remaining Balance: The remaining $150 of tuition is required one week before the program’s start date.

Registration Deadline: February 2

Class Description: Piano for Little Bulldogs is a piano-based introduction to music fundamentals for children ages 5-6 years old. Grounded in the spirit of play and exploration, students will learn the basics of rhythm, melody, piano technique, improvisation, and musicality. Weekly group classes (50 minutes each) will include a mix of interactive demonstration, games, singing, body movement, writing/drawing, and of course, playing the piano!

No previous music experience is required, but students should know and be able to recognize written letters (A through G) and numbers (1-10).
A parent or caregiver must attend class with the child and should be prepared to direct/assist the child in regular practice throughout the week.
The child should have regular access to a keyboard for practice at home; it does not need to be acoustic or full size.

There are no prerequisites are required for this course.

Meet the instructor, Billy Scharfenberger!

Billy Scharfenberger is an Indianapolis born-and-raised pianist, teacher, and coach. For nearly 20 years, their musicking has focused on pianistic collaboration, primarily with singers across many genres, as well as extensive work in theatrical music performance and direction. Their work is rooted in the belief that every person deserves to be able to show up as their whole self: centering inner (mindfulness, the body as instrument) and outer (intentionality, knowledge of craft) awareness; continuous re-commitment to anti-oppression and radical inclusion; and music as a social process of meaning making. Billy earned a BMA with focus in organ performance from DePauw University, and a master’s in music librarianship from IU Bloomington. They are currently on staff at the Butler University School of Music as a collaborative pianist and coach, working primarily with college voice majors, in addition to teaching private lessons in piano and voice through the Butler Community Arts School.

Ages: 7-14 (though all youth ages are eligible to join the class)

Meeting times: Saturdays from February 8 – April 19. There will be no class held on March 15.

Beginner Class Section: 12pm-12:50pm
Intermediate Class Section: 1pm-1:50pm
- We encourage students with previous ukulele experience to join this class. Read the description below for more details.

Tuition:

Total Tuition Cost: The cost of this program is $200
Non-Refundable Deposit: At checkout, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. This will be deducted from the tuition cost.
Remaining Balance: The remaining $150 of tuition is required one week before the program’s start date.

Registration Deadline: February 1

Beginner Class Description: This is a great interactive class for those who have had no experience with the ukulele before. We learn about the parts of the ukulele, how to play the ukulele, the “basic” ukulele chords, Happy Birthday, and other fun songs. The goal of this group class is to create a fun, student-centered environment for learning music. There are no prerequisites required for this class section.

Intermediate Class Description: This group class is meant for students wanting to expand their ukulele and musical knowledge. We’ll dive a little more in depth on different chords, strumming patterns, basic music theory, creating music and of course, learning songs of all genres. The goal of this group class is to deepen musical knowledge and express creativity through music. Students in the intermediate class section must have participated in beginning ukulele class already, taken private lessons for ukulele, and/or been playing for 1+ years.

Students will be able to request a ukulele at the time of registration, if one is needed.

Meet the instructor, Korah De Leon!

Ages: 7-13

Meeting times: Fridays at the following times from February 7 to April 18. No class will be held on March 14.

Beginning Strings Ensemble from 2:00pm-3:00pm
Intermediate Strings Ensemble from 2:00pm-3:15pm
Beginning Guitar Ensemble from 2:00pm-3:00pm

Registration Deadline: January 31

Total Tuition Cost:

For one student, the cost is $225.
For multiple students from the same family, the cost is $165 per student.

Non-Refundable Deposit:

A $50 non-refundable deposit is required at checkout to secure your spot (one deposit per student).
This deposit will be deducted from the total tuition of each student.

Remaining Balance:

The remaining balance (total tuition minus the $50 deposit) is due one week before the program’s start date.

Program Description:

The Butler Strings Project offers young musicians an exciting opportunity to explore the joy of music through orchestra classes. Designed for beginners and students with up to three years of experience, this program provides a supportive, ensemble-based environment where your child can thrive.

Engaging Ensemble Experience: Students collaborate with peers, fostering teamwork and creativity while making music together.
Performance Opportunities: Recitals and concerts help students build confidence and develop stage presence.
Strong Foundations: Through expert instruction, students gain essential skills for excellence in string playing.

Prerequisites: Students must have at least three years of experience on their instrument to participate in the intermediate section of this program. No experience is required for the beginner and guitar sections of this class. If you are unsure of which level you might be at, please email the instructors, Shannon Crow (scrow@butler.edu) and Dr. Lori Honer (lkhoner@butler.edu).

Meet the Instructors, Shannon Crow and Dr. Lori Honer!

Dr. Lori Honer is a pedagogue and cellist, Dr. Lori Honer enjoyes a rich and varied career as a performer and educator, activities that she finds go perfectly hand-in-hand. As an educator, she has taught in public, private, and community music programs and at universities teaching cello, string literature and pedagogy, supervising and mentoring student teachers and coaching chamber music. Previous appointments include University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, Vincennes University and she served as the Coordinator of String Studies at Franklin College and the Director of Chamber Music at the Indianapolis Suzuki Academy. She is also the founder and director of the Indianapolis Cello School. She currently serves on the faculty of the
School of Music at Butler University’s Jordan College of the Arts. As a performer, Dr. Honer has performed throughout the United States and Europe. Currently, she performs throughout Indianapolis and the surrounding region. Her musical sensibilities are teasingly diverse and she feels equally comfortable in the recording studio with a band as she does in the concert hall playing a symphony. Dr. Honer earned a Bachelor of Music degree in cello performance from DePauw University, a Masters of Arts for Teachers degree from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts in cello performance and literature from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she was awarded a full scholarship. Other honors include being named the Indiana Chapter of the American String Teachers Association’s “Studio Teacher of the Year” in 2022. She lives in Indianapolis with her husband, who is a animator and art fabricator and their mischievous black cat, Oona.

Ages: 18+

Meeting Times: Mondays, 6:00-8:00pm from February 3 – April 14, 2025. No class will be held on March 10.

Tuition:

Total Tuition Cost: The cost of this program is $250
Non-Refundable Deposit: At checkout, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. This will be deducted from the tuition cost.
Remaining Balance: The remaining $200 of tuition is required one week before the program’s start date.

Registration Deadline: Monday, January 27

This class will explore a variety of 2D Art with fun projects that simultaneously improve students’ art skills and teach new techniques that can be applied outside of class. This includes learning consistency, building time management skills, and expanding on basics (color theory, shape theory, and storytelling). These projects are more suited for people who already have a background in drawing, but students of any experience level are welcome to join the class.

Review the Supply List

Meet the instructor, Belen Sepulveda!

Belen Sepulveda is a 20-year-old undergraduate student at Butler University, majoring in Art+Design with a minor in Education. She specializes in digital illustration but also enjoys creating realism pieces using traditional mediums. In addition to her visual art pursuits, she has explored the performing arts as a cello player.

After graduation, Belen plans to attend graduate school with the goal of becoming a full-time art professor while pursuing her own passion projects. Deeply passionate about art, she envisions a future dedicated to creating beautiful works that reflect her unique vision.

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