Student Profiles

Brittany Lensing of Cresco, Iowa; Currently teaching privately in Cedar Falls, Iowa. One of Brittany's area of interest is integrating the Royal Conservatory of Music Achievement Program Syllabus in her teaching curriculum. Brittany enjoys performing works of Beethoven.

Holly Guanitz of Lake Mills, Iowa; Currently teaching private lessons at "Merry Melodies" in Boston, MA.  One of Holly's area of research is weaving popular music into the Group Piano setting and questioning whether popular music is a more effective agent to utilize in training undergraduates in the areas of harmonization and transposition. Holly enjoys performing rhythmic works on the piano, such as  "Pequeña Danza " by Ginastera.

Huajun Zhang is from Pengzhou, Sichuan, China. After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Huajun ran a piano studio to teach students of all ages. She has passion for teaching music and loves to develop various teaching ways which are suitable for different types of students. She believes learning music is not only for enjoyable entertainment, but also a way to motivate one’s talent, develop independent thinking ability and enthusiasm, and shape one’s characters. She currently is a Master student in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Northern Iowa.

Jenna Klein is a native of Buffalo, New York, where she began her piano studies at age seven. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Contemporary Music Studies with a concentration in Music Therapy from the State University of New York at New Paltz, where she studied piano with Dr. Ruthanne Schempf. Currently, Jenna is Master of Music in Performance and Pedagogy student and Graduate Assistant in piano where she accompanies the UNI’s Concert Chorale. Since 2014, she has spent her summers working as a Piano Teaching Assistant at Interlochen Arts Camp. Jenna enjoys working with students of all ages and especially loves the creative, curious minds and personalities of elementary-aged children. In her spare time Jenna enjoys kickboxing, crafts, riding her bike and tending to her ever multiplying house plants and cacti.

Jenni LeGarde is currently pursuing her Master of Music degree in Piano Pedagogy and Performance at the University of Northern Iowa, and received her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.  Jenni enjoys both teaching and performing, and values connecting with others through music.

Jiamin Liao of Guangzhou, China, completed her Bachelor's in Sydney, Australia. She currently teaches private lessons in Des Moines through "West Music Store," and plans to obtain a doctorate in piano pedagogy.
Jiamin enjoys teaching students of various backgrounds since she believes that learning piano brings benefits to all individuals, regardless of age and ability. In her piano lessons, students develop not only a lifelong appreciation of music and development of piano technique, but also important skills such as creativity, concentration, devotion and patience.

John Holloway of Louisville, Kentucky, currently is the Managing Director of "Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival" at East Carolina University,  the Director of Operations of "Music Fest Perugia," and assists with the "Southeastern Piano Festival" at the University of South Carolina. As founder of "Exploring Chamber Music" at the University of Northern Iowa, John believes collaboration should be an essential part of the beginning piano curriculum and has supported the commissioning of compositions to utilize at the earliest level of one's music education.  In 2012 during the completion of his MM Piano Pedagogy and Performance degree, he completed an at-home supplement for Piano Adventures, promoting efficient practice and intense parental involvement. Active in MTNA, John was elected to the position of Program Committee for the National MTNA Conference in Anaheim, CA (2013).

Kate Meyer of Grand Rapids, Minnesota is currently teaching through UNI's “Community Music School” in Cedar Falls, Iowa as she completes her MM in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at UNI.  She believes in a philosophy that defines piano lessons as being an enjoyable learning experience, and she values the challenge to teach her students in a way that is most comfortable and beneficial in order for their learning to flourish. Kate’s interests lie in piano and instrumental music, and she has a thorough background in music composition.  She has a passion for composing instrumental and orchestral music.  She has received private lessons in piano and flute, and she enjoys playing works by Romantic Era and Russian composers. Recently, she shared a technology presentation at the 2015 Iowa Music Teachers Association state conference.

Katrina Benjegerdes received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in piano from the University of Northern Iowa in 2010, and her Master’s in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Northern Iowa in 2013. While completing her degree requirements she studied piano performance with Sean Botkin, piano pedagogy with Dr. Theresa Camilli, and collaborative piano with Dr. Robin Guy. Kat previously taught piano students of all ages and skill levels through the UNI Community Music School and as a temporary adjunct in the group piano department. She is currently teaching piano lessons as a studio instructor at Crescendo Music in Elk River, Minnesota, and All Things Musik in Maple Grove, Minnesota. Kat enjoys attending performing arts events of all kinds, learning new languages, and seeking adventure in her free time.

Melody Kosobucki is from Solon Springs, WI and received her Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. During her undergraduate, she won the UWS concerto competition and performed Chopin's Piano Concerto no. 2 in F minor. Melody values a variety of musical styles and seeks to broaden her student's musical awareness by having them study multiple genres and styles, as well. Composition, theory, improvisation, and ear training are all components of her studio teaching. With a background as a performer at a variety of venues, she encourages her students to also share the gift of music and to be active performers in competitions, school productions, community functions, as well as perform in her seasonal recitals. Melody is currently teaching through UNI's "Community Music School" in Cedar Falls, Iowa as she completes her MM in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at UNI. Her favorite composer to study is Chopin. Recently, she shared a technology presentation at the 2015 Iowa Music Teachers Association state conference. 

Tana Denning of Michigan; Currently teaching Suzuki Piano at Michigan State University's Community Music School. Tana believes in integrating folk music and aural training from one's first lesson and continuing to craft improvisation, arranging and aural skill development as a way to motivate a student. In addition to piano, Tana performs on harp and fiddle.