Meet the Teachers

I have had incredible teachers in my music education. I find their influences in nearly every lesson I teach; from different ways to practice a passage or particular fingering patterns, to the simple interaction with students. Their teaching left indelible marks on how I teach and who I am as a person. When my students take their final step off the PTS campus, I only hope that I have provided them with a similar experience, as well as an unending appreciation and love for music and the arts.

For me, the start of learning is in the questions. Using the guitar, my students and I ask those questions that get to the heart of how music works. Music is a magical event, whether you are playing by yourself or at a stadium concert. My goal is to guide students through this journey of being able to read sheet music, to play, and to listen more deeply, so that music becomes a more complete experience for them. Eventually, my students will be able to guide their own learning and have the guitar as their instrument to enjoy for the rest of their life.

Andrew Cooper, the British-American musician, conductor, organist, countertenor and music educator, officially commenced at Palmer Trinity on August 5, 2024.  He is Palmer Trinity's first choir director and school organist.  Cooper will play during weekly chapel services and at school events, including Baccalaureate ceremonies, graduation and annual lessons and tree lighting caroling.

Being a band director I have the opportunity to teach kids about teamwork through music performance. Each member of our team has a specific job in order for the final project to come together. As the students advance in the program, we learn how to communicate through music. We explore many styles of music with a goal of giving the best performance we can give. A world without music would be boring!