Meet the UNI Community Music School

Today, CMS has over 20 teachers on staff and offers lessons and a variety of music programs for over 300 Cedar Valley children and adults annually.  Private lessons are available on a variety of woodwind, brass, keyboard, voice, and percussion instruments throughout the entire year, as well as group piano lessons for children and adults, the Children’s Choir, the New Horizons Band, and Camp Musicmania.

• CMS activities are held at Russell Hall and the Gallagher Bluedorn on UNI's campus
• CMS lessons take place in one of the 4 CMS studios and 7 classrooms in Russell Hall, as well as classroom and practice rooms in the Gallagher Bluedorn
• CMS studios and classrooms have professionally maintained pianos for student and teacher use
• Rehearsals are held in Davis and Jebe Halls at the Gallagher Bluedorn
• Performance spaces are located at Russell Hall in the Bengtson Auditorium and Graham Chamber Music Hall, as well as the Great Hall in the Gallagher Bluedorn
• Steinway Grand Pianos are available to students for performances

The CMS staff includes professional music educators, performers and UNI School of Music students. Classes and lessons are offered year-round for students of all ages and abilities. All CMS events are held on the UNI campus in the UNI School of Music facilities, virtually,  or at other appropriate area community sites in Cedar Falls and Waterloo, IA.

• Heather Hamilton, Director of the Community Music School (2016 - Present)
• Cindi Mason, Director of the Community Music School (2006-2016)

• Ryan Occeña, Director of the UNI Children's Choir (2022 - Present)
• Amy Kotsonis, Director of the UNI Children's Choir (2021 - 2022)
• Michelle Swanson, Director of the UNI Children's Choir (2003 - 2020)
• Debra (Gordon) Hedden, Director of the Northern Iowa Children's Choir (1997-2003)

• Diana Blake, Director of the New Horizons Band (2004 - Present)
• Bill Shepherd, Director of the New Horizons Band (1999 - 2004)