Instructor For Rent

Kara Washington

Kara grew up in Oklahoma City and began playing the cello at the young age of 9. Kara continued this passion throughout school until she graduated from Putnam City North High School. Kara graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in Spring 2013 with a Bachelors Degree in Music Performance.

While in high school, Kara was the assistant principal cellist sophomore and junior year in the symphony orchestra, and became principal cellist her senior year. During those years, her orchestra traveled to many competitions around the United States. They had the honor of playing in Boston Symphony Hall, where they placed second in the nation. In college, she had the honor of studying under Tess Remy-Schumacher for 5 years and was able to attend workshops with Lynn Harrell, Zack Reaves, and Aleksa Asanovic.  She was involved in string quartet, chamber orchestra, symphony orchestra as well as a cello trio.

Kara began teaching private cello lessons in 2006 and enjoys working with students of all ages and levels. In 2013 – Kara decided to focus all of her attention on her private cello studio and started with 6 students and grew to 59 students per week over the next 4 years. Students ranged from the ages of 5 – 63. Kara taught lessons during the school day at Edmond North High School, Cheyenne Middle School, Heartland Middle School, as well as Crossings Christian School Monday through Friday and taught private lessons at home after school. Kara was a part of a cello duet as well as The Woodnote Quartet where they performed around the state of Oklahoma for special events.

Kara and her husband moved from Edmond, Oklahoma to Kansas in 2018 and is rebuilding her studio in their new home.  Lessons are available in multiple areas – including in-home studio in Kansas City, KS 66109, Blues to Bach – Shawnee, KS, and also Leawood, KS.

Kara is currently a part of the Kansas City Civic Orchestra, and also plays in weddings in the Kansas City area. Kara has played on stage at the Midland Theatre, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Arts, and other various venues. Kara believes that anybody of any age wanting to learn the cello can achieve their goal with hard work and dedication to their love of music.

Lisa Sweet

Lisa Sweet started teaching violin and viola lessons in 2012 after graduating from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas with a degree in Music and Theology. Being a full-time private teacher, she can devote every second of her day to her many students by finding new and exciting venues and activities for her students to perform in, helping them branch out into many different styles of music, and most of all listening to each individual’s needs to develop a greater joy and appreciation for music. Lisa brings incredible energy and enthusiasm to every lesson.

Lisa teaches: (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)

Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck taught band and orchestra in the Kansas City Kansas School District for 33 years, retiring in 2007. He obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Music Education at the University of Kansas. Jeff was selected to be the Music Lead Teacher for the KCK district in 2006. He is also the founder and conductor of the Kansas City Kansas Community Orchestra. The orchestra has been in existence for 15 years and is growing rapidly. Mr. Beck was nominated for the Grammy Music Educator of the Year in 2012 by a former student. He was raised in Kansas City, KS and lived there until 1990. Mr. Beck now lives in Shawnee. He counts as family many friends and former students who are still a part of his life today.

Jeff teaches on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.