strings
12 Week Sessions
STRINGS
INDIVIDUAL and GROUP Classes Available
Strings are the backbone of the orchestra. Students can learn the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Learning strings can help students develop into great soloists and improve their school orchestral experience.
BASS INSTRUCTOR, Zoom only
ROBBIE GEARHART
Education
BA, Music
St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA
EXPERIENCE
Robbie Gearhart is a musician and composer whose work extends over multiple genres including classical, jazz, pop, rock, and musical theatre.
Mr. Gearhart graduated from St. Ambrose University with a degree in music education in 2018. He has experience working with students ranging from early childhood to adults. His approach to teaching is characterized by his ability to diagnose problem areas in students’ playing and apply appropriate solutions through comprehensible language and performance demonstration. In addition to private instruction, Mr. Gearhart plays bass in the jam band Glass Leaf Co.
CELLO INSTRUCTOR, Zoom only
JUSTICE HEINOLD
Education
BA, Music
Clarke University, Dubuque, IA
EXPERIENCE
Justice Heinold, a Dubuque native, is a recent graduate of Clarke University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music performance. Ms. Heinold is passionate about spreading the love of music to others within her community. She has been an active contributor to both choral and orchestral ensembles, including Clarke’s Collegiate Singers, Melos, and Clarke’s String Orchestra.
In addition to performing in multiple ensembles at Clarke University, Heinold also performs in community productions and private events such as weddings and community musicals.
CELLO INSTRUCTOR
KAREN JENSEN
Education
BA, Psychology
Macalester College
Certified Suzuki cello instructor
EXPERIENCE
Karen Jensen, a certified Suzuki cello instructor, returned to Northeast Iowa School of Music after a hiatus of several years. She previously taught at Northeast Iowa School of Music for over 15 years and at her home studio. Some of her students have been selected for the Iowa All-State Orchestra.
In addition to playing with the All-California High School Symphony, she performed professionally with the Lake Forest Symphony, Dubuque Symphony, University of Wisconsin Orchestra, the Key City String Quartet, River City Trio, and pit orchestras at the Grand Opera House, Platteville Heartland Festival, and University of Wisconsin Platteville.
She has served as worship leader at several area churches and enjoys singing with her church choir. On a more personal note, she also likes to read, hike, and do embroidery.
Composition, Violin, and Viola instructor
Tracey Rush
Education
BA, Music Composition
University of Northern Iowa
Experience
Tracey Rush is the founder of Northeast Iowa School of Music.
Her compositions have been performed all over the country and in several foreign countries. Her original composition Angels in the Snow has been performed by several orchestras and choirs, including the Pittsburgh Symphony, Lucas Richman, conductor, and the Naples Philharmonic, Erich Kunzel, conductor.
The musical-comedy review Mothering Heights, which Rush co-wrote with Des Moines playwright Rebecca Christian, is published by Dramatic Publishing. Her song cycle for treble choir, The Butterfly Garden, with texts by elementary students, won the 1999 Francis J. Pyle Commission Award, sponsored by the Iowa Composers Forum.
In 2008, Rush conducted one of her compositions at Carnegie Hall.
Ms. Rush also teaches violin and viola at Northeast Iowa School of Music
Violin and Viola INSTRUCTOR
KARA TANN
Education
M.A.Ed., Music
Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
BA, Music
Eastern Mennonite University, Shenandoah Valley, VA
EXPERIENCE
Kara started violin when she was six years old; she very much enjoys playing and teaching music. She has a B.A. in Music Education from Eastern Mennonite University and a Masters of Education, with a concentration in Music from Arcadia University.
Kara has taught private violin lessons and high school and middle school orchestra professionally since 2008, including in Philadelphia, PA, and Newton, KS. She currently teaches violin and viola at the Northeast Iowa School of Music in Dubuque. Kara has been a member of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra since 2021. She has also performed with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony, and Hutchison Symphony. She looks forward to directing the String Ensemble and Youth Philharmonia of the Dubuque Symphony Youth Ensembles starting Fall 2022. Kara lives in Dubuque with her husband and daughter.
