Register for Adult Piano Class!

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.

Register for Adult Strings Ensemble!

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@shorinji-kempo.net

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 the Butler Youth Jazz Program!

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@shorinji-kempo.net

• 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.

Register for Chamber Players!

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!

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 Ukulele for Little Bulldogs!

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

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.

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!

Register for Strings Project!

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 Guitar from 2:00 – 3:00pm
• Beginning String Ensemble from 2:00pm-3:00pm
• Intermediate String Ensemble from 2:00pm-3:15pm

Registration Deadline: January 31

Total Tuition Cost:

• For one student, the cost is $200.
• For multiple students from the same family, the cost is $150 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 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. If you are unsure of which level you might be at, please email the instructor, Shannon Crow (scrow@shorinji-kempo.net).

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.