Antonina M.C. Johnston
Teacher/Owner
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
My philosophy of teaching emphasizes three main areas: healthy technique, integrating multiple genres and styles, and studio culture. First, I focus on teaching proper technique to ensure healthy, safe, and creative art. My primary focus is relaxation and alignment of the body along with full and connected breathing. In addition to the foundation of technique, I believe a solid grounding in musicianship and theory is essential for a well rounded and prepared student. I am continually advancing my students sight reading, written theory and oral theory skills utilizing a proven text and supplemental materials.
In my lessons I teach a variety of styles such as classical, musical theater, jazz, and contemporary commercial music. This approach meets the demands of the current private studio market in the region. In order to properly teach this variety one must also be able to appropriately model. I believe a connected component of supporting good technique is genuine and appropriate expression. I teach students to be expressive and pushing them out of their comfort zones through discussion of the meaning of texts and encouraging research.
In the area of culture, first and most important is building positive and supportive relationships. It's about creating life long relationships and supporting each other even when they no longer take lessons. Whether they decide to go into music or not. Also, I believe in providing student performance opportunities. I do this through offering and researching a variety of competitions, auditions, and recitals. In conjunction with this I believe performing can be a part of community outreach. Benefit concerts and charities have become a part of my studio.(Ex: Beans & Belting, Toys for Tots, A Royal Sing A-Long) and all students are encouraged to participate. It's not just about helping students become better singers, it's about teaching them how to be better people and leading by example.
MORE ABOUT NINA...
When she's not teaching she's chasing her two kids (7 and 4 y/o). She's married to a stud, who is also in the music business and teaches choir, digital music and AP music theory at a local high school. She loves decorating her house and starting new creative hobbies. If it's summer you will find her working on her gardens and still chasing her kids.
My philosophy of teaching emphasizes three main areas: healthy technique, integrating multiple genres and styles, and studio culture. First, I focus on teaching proper technique to ensure healthy, safe, and creative art. My primary focus is relaxation and alignment of the body along with full and connected breathing. In addition to the foundation of technique, I believe a solid grounding in musicianship and theory is essential for a well rounded and prepared student. I am continually advancing my students sight reading, written theory and oral theory skills utilizing a proven text and supplemental materials.
In my lessons I teach a variety of styles such as classical, musical theater, jazz, and contemporary commercial music. This approach meets the demands of the current private studio market in the region. In order to properly teach this variety one must also be able to appropriately model. I believe a connected component of supporting good technique is genuine and appropriate expression. I teach students to be expressive and pushing them out of their comfort zones through discussion of the meaning of texts and encouraging research.
In the area of culture, first and most important is building positive and supportive relationships. It's about creating life long relationships and supporting each other even when they no longer take lessons. Whether they decide to go into music or not. Also, I believe in providing student performance opportunities. I do this through offering and researching a variety of competitions, auditions, and recitals. In conjunction with this I believe performing can be a part of community outreach. Benefit concerts and charities have become a part of my studio.(Ex: Beans & Belting, Toys for Tots, A Royal Sing A-Long) and all students are encouraged to participate. It's not just about helping students become better singers, it's about teaching them how to be better people and leading by example.
MORE ABOUT NINA...
When she's not teaching she's chasing her two kids (7 and 4 y/o). She's married to a stud, who is also in the music business and teaches choir, digital music and AP music theory at a local high school. She loves decorating her house and starting new creative hobbies. If it's summer you will find her working on her gardens and still chasing her kids.
Collaborating Teachers
Silken Amelia (Teacher) is a graduate from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee with a BFA in Music Theatre. She is an accomplished performer, performing with In Tandem, Greendale Community Theatre and as a professional with DSHA. Silken was in First Stage’s Elephant and Piggie: We Are in a Play where she was an understudy and UWM where she stared as Dolly Parton in 9-5. In addition to performing Silken has recently joined the Milwaukee Opera Theatre gang assisting James Zager for Skylight and MOT’s collaboration Ruddigore. She’s previously worked with him on UWM’s La Perichole and In Tandem’s Scrouge in Rouge. She also choreographs for Whitefish Bay high school choirs and Grafton high school’s acappella group. She also choreographed Grafton high school’s musical, Cinderella.
MORE ABOUT SILKEN...
She in Milwaukee, enjoys going to shows, loves coffee and is married to an Art Teacher.
For information on pricing and scheduling please email her at silken.amelia@gmail.com
Ryan Cappleman (Teacher) is a performer, choreographer, musician, and teaching artist in the Milwaukee area. He is a graduate from Milwaukee High School of the Arts where he majored in piano performance, and then pursued his love of musical theater at UW Milwaukee, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Inter-Arts Musical Theater Performance. Since then, he has used his degree in many different capacities. As a performer, some of his favorite roles include the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Woof in Hair, Pooh-Bah in The Hot Mikado, and the dance ensemble of Carmina Burana (Skylight Music Theatre), Britton in La La Lucille, the Piano Player in Billy Bishop Goes to War, Company Member in TomFoolery (Third Avenue Playhouse), several performances with Danceworks, First Stage, Northern Sky, Vogel Hall, Forte Theatre, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Optimist Theatre, and Waiting...a Song Cycle Off Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre in New York. His choreography has earned him three Footlights Awards and numerous Jerry Awards. Ryan still gets to play the piano frequently as an accompanist, music director, and cabaret artist. Even in the pandemic, Ryan performed a weekly virtual cabaret called Quarantine! The Musical! He has been a teaching artist for Skylight, First Stage, Danceworks, UW Milwaukee, Superstars, The Wisconsin Dance Council, The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts Summer Dance Intensive, The Virginia State Thespian Conference, and many area high schools.
For information on pricing and scheduling please email him at rcappleman@shorewood.k12.wi.us
For information on pricing and scheduling please email him at rcappleman@shorewood.k12.wi.us