Students can take private lessons during class time with our private lesson teachers. If you are interested, please fill out this form by August 28, 2022.
Vincent Pierce, harp
Vincent Pierce teaches harp for Round Rock ISD and at Odessa College, and is principal harpist of the Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale. Vincent was the director of the harp program for Ector County ISD in Odessa, Texas from 2014-2019. Vincent holds a BME degree from Baylor University and an MM degree in harp performance from UT Austin, where he is currently pursuing a DMA. He is president of the Austin Chapter of the American Harp Society, and is the South Central Regional Director and board member for the AHS. He has been a clinician for the Texas Music Educator’s Association and the American Harp Society. Vincent is also a composer, and has had works performed by the University of Texas Harp Ensemble and Less Than 10, a collective based out of Austin.
Vincent Pierce teaches harp for Round Rock ISD and at Odessa College, and is principal harpist of the Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale. Vincent was the director of the harp program for Ector County ISD in Odessa, Texas from 2014-2019. Vincent holds a BME degree from Baylor University and an MM degree in harp performance from UT Austin, where he is currently pursuing a DMA. He is president of the Austin Chapter of the American Harp Society, and is the South Central Regional Director and board member for the AHS. He has been a clinician for the Texas Music Educator’s Association and the American Harp Society. Vincent is also a composer, and has had works performed by the University of Texas Harp Ensemble and Less Than 10, a collective based out of Austin.
Valerie Fischer, cello
Valerie Fischer is a native Texan and long-time Austin resident who has performed on most of the stages in town with a range of musicians from straight-up and avant garde rock bands, to popular "Texas Gypsy" artist Oliver Rajamani, and experimental string quartet Hill Country Strings. The variety of musicians she has worked with has given Valerie an ease with playing in small ensembles and an enthusiasm for the blending of pop, rock, and classical genres. Recent collaborations have brought Valerie back to a focus on classical music with solo recitals with pianist Melanie Richards and frequent performances with her current trio Fröhlich with pianist Storm Knein and clarinetist Rebecca Berinsky.
Valerie received a Bachelor of Music with Honors in Cello Performance from the University of Texas at Austin studying with Professor Paul Olefsky and has recently been a member of the Round Rock Symphony Orchestra and the Temple Symphony Orchestra. Although she loves to perform, Valerie has had a full and successful teaching studio for over twenty years and counts that as her true passion. Valerie's mission is to develop musicians capable of teaching themselves. By providing excellent instruction in technique, theory, and musicality, her goal at every lesson is to nurture the skills needed for freedom of expression, communication, and collaboration with others. Her belief is that through music we gain abilities relevant to all facets of life: independent and critical thinking, discipline, and most importantly a confident sense of self.
Valerie maintains membership with the American String Teachers Association, the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and the Texas Orchestra Directors Association. She has received training for Suzuki Book 1 through 5 and Book 8 through 10 with acclaimed author and pedagogue Rick Mooney.
Valerie Fischer is a native Texan and long-time Austin resident who has performed on most of the stages in town with a range of musicians from straight-up and avant garde rock bands, to popular "Texas Gypsy" artist Oliver Rajamani, and experimental string quartet Hill Country Strings. The variety of musicians she has worked with has given Valerie an ease with playing in small ensembles and an enthusiasm for the blending of pop, rock, and classical genres. Recent collaborations have brought Valerie back to a focus on classical music with solo recitals with pianist Melanie Richards and frequent performances with her current trio Fröhlich with pianist Storm Knein and clarinetist Rebecca Berinsky.
Valerie received a Bachelor of Music with Honors in Cello Performance from the University of Texas at Austin studying with Professor Paul Olefsky and has recently been a member of the Round Rock Symphony Orchestra and the Temple Symphony Orchestra. Although she loves to perform, Valerie has had a full and successful teaching studio for over twenty years and counts that as her true passion. Valerie's mission is to develop musicians capable of teaching themselves. By providing excellent instruction in technique, theory, and musicality, her goal at every lesson is to nurture the skills needed for freedom of expression, communication, and collaboration with others. Her belief is that through music we gain abilities relevant to all facets of life: independent and critical thinking, discipline, and most importantly a confident sense of self.
Valerie maintains membership with the American String Teachers Association, the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and the Texas Orchestra Directors Association. She has received training for Suzuki Book 1 through 5 and Book 8 through 10 with acclaimed author and pedagogue Rick Mooney.
Kay Mueller
Kay Mueller lives with her husband and they have two grown up sons with families of their own. She currently plays violin with the Balcones Community Orchestra and a small Baroque group.Mrs. Mueller has a Music Education degree and a Masters of Music Performance with long term Suzuki teacher training under John Kendall who was the first to bring Suzuki Talent Education to the United States from Japan in the early 1960s.
Kay Mueller lives with her husband and they have two grown up sons with families of their own. She currently plays violin with the Balcones Community Orchestra and a small Baroque group.Mrs. Mueller has a Music Education degree and a Masters of Music Performance with long term Suzuki teacher training under John Kendall who was the first to bring Suzuki Talent Education to the United States from Japan in the early 1960s.
Daniel Benoit
Originally from Arlington, TX, Daniel Benoit got his bachelor’s degree in music from The University of North Texas, master’s degree in music from Indiana University, and then played in the United States Air Force Band in Washington, DC for four years. Aside from playing classical music, Daniel likes to play jazz, rock, and other kinds of popular music. He also got a post-graduate certificate from Berklee College of Music in music production and audio engineering.
Originally from Arlington, TX, Daniel Benoit got his bachelor’s degree in music from The University of North Texas, master’s degree in music from Indiana University, and then played in the United States Air Force Band in Washington, DC for four years. Aside from playing classical music, Daniel likes to play jazz, rock, and other kinds of popular music. He also got a post-graduate certificate from Berklee College of Music in music production and audio engineering.
Cellist Shawn Sanders began his career at ACC as a cello Instructor in the 90’s, and has since also led classes in beginning Piano, Music Fundamentals and Appreciation. Sanders holds degrees from the Interlochen Arts Academy, DePauw University, the Eastman School and the University of Texas at Austin, and has performed around the world appearing with Pavarotti, Joshua Bell, Ray Charles, John Denver, Pearl Jam and countless others. Group experience includes the Austin Symphony, Camilli Quartet, Texas Bach Aria Group, Synfoniorkestern Norrkoping (Sweden), Ibycus Chamber Players (Thailand) and Strings Attached. Sanders is also a founding and current member of Austin Opera.