Mikaela Vanator
Mrs. Vanator currently teaches orchestra and band at MacDonald Middle School in East
Lansing. She holds a Bachelors of Music Education and a Bachelors of Music in Viola Performance from Central Michigan University, where she studied under David Holland and Alicia Valoti. An avid performer and educator, Mrs. Vanator received a fellowship for the Bay View Music Festival in Petoskey, MI in 2016 and a year later was the recipient of the Veha Chamichian String Competition Scholarship. Committed to excellence, Mrs. Vanator strives to help her students reach their highest level of academic and musical success possible. Outside of classical music, Mrs. Vanator has a passion for teaching and performing alternative styles of music such as celtic, rock, jazz, and bluegrass. She has been on staff at the ABC “Anything But Classical” Orchestra Summer Retreat and the Knollcrest Music Camp in Grand Rapids, MI. In 2013, she toured Ireland with ABC Orchestra performing across the country through Dublin, Galway, and Limerick. Mrs. Vanator is a member of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Program, the American String Teachers Association, and the National Association for Music Educators. She currently resides in Charlotte, Michigan with her husband Joey and dog Sage. She enjoys crafting, cycling, and anything outdoors in the sunshine! |
Jenny McGraw (In Memoriam)
Mrs. McGraw has been a cellist for 34 years and has actively shared her joy of making music with students since 1993. After earning degrees in cello performance from Vanderbilt University and Michigan State University, she pursued Suzuki Training primarily under the guidance and direction of Marilyn Kesler. Since then she has taught a wide variety of students, both privately and in ensembles throughout her teaching career, many of whom have pursued music outside their formal education.
She has been the director of Waverly Community School’s Orchestra Program for 9 years. She has been a frequent guest conductor for workshops and conducted the High School orchestra at Blue Lake Camp. She presents at workshops and clinics on incorporating creativity in the music classroom. Jenny launched a songwriting class in Waverly last year, a unique offering in the Mid-Michigan area. She also released her first EP, "Moments" in February 2016. Jenny’s greatest musical memories include having a private lesson with Yo-Yo Ma and facilitating an informal opportunity for Mr. Ma to meet her students after he performed at the Wharton Center. She actively performs in recitals in the community and considers herself to be a life-long learner. Jenny is an enthusiastic advocate for encouraging young people to grow to their potential in their musical endeavors. She lives in Lansing with her two children, David (14) and Rebecca (17). . |
Our Board of Directors
Treasurer- Mr. John Larzelere
Member- Mrs. Judy Palac- Professor of Music Education Michigan State University (retired)
Member - Mr. David Rosin - Orchestra Director at East Lansing Public Schools
Member - Anne Kearney-Looman - Violin/Viola Teacher at MSU CMS
Member- Mrs. Judy Palac- Professor of Music Education Michigan State University (retired)
Member - Mr. David Rosin - Orchestra Director at East Lansing Public Schools
Member - Anne Kearney-Looman - Violin/Viola Teacher at MSU CMS
