KATHRYN BRUNNER

Kathryn Brunner is passionate about helping aspiring musicians become artists who love their craft. She received her Master of Arts degree from Reformed Theological Seminary and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Gardner-Webb University where she studied music with a concentration in piano. She was among the first to earn George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts Professional Certification in Piano Pedagogy in 2006. She earned Musikgarten’s early childhood music certification in 2005. Ms. Brunner served as a Director of Worship at McLean Presbyterian Church in McLean, VA from 2005-2013. Ms. Brunner is a member of the National Music Teacher’s Association, The Gordon Institute for Music Learning, The Early Childhood Music and Movement Association and The National Guild of Piano Teachers with the American College of Musicians.

In May 2016, Ms. Brunner expanded her studio to the online world with the launch of mymusikathome.com with classes found at watch.mymusikathome.com. Musik at Home is an online music program offering early childhood classes to prepare babies, toddlers and preschoolers for future instrumental study with the fundamental skills needed for developing musicianship. Carefully tailored to differing developmental levels, Ms. Brunner has made her early childhood classes available so families can access them at home on their own schedule. In addition, in 2022 she wrote and produced her own piano curriculum for Musik at Home called “Creative Keys: Nordic Adventures” with more than 30 new compositions to acculturate students to the wonders of seven different tonalities. Musik at Home classes are accessible on the web, mobile app, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV.

As an independent recording artist, Ms. Brunner works with producer, David Browning of Franklin, TN who is credited with first producing Katy Perry. Ms. Brunner’s first album, Made For Me, was released in June 2011. Her soulful Christmas album, Born This Day, was released in November 2012. Her single, Holding On to Hope, written and produced for AIDS Ophans in South Africa was released February 2014. In 2010, Kathryn’s song “Better Than Life” was selected for the finals in the Inspire Song Writing Contest during the Inspire Worship Conference in Nashville. In 2002, Ms. Brunner arranged and produced her first solo album, Soul’s Eye, including 9 original compositions. Her goal is always to encourage listeners in their walk of faith. In 2021, she released a new single called “Christmas” which is available on all music platforms.

Ms. Brunner co-represented George Mason University’s Music Department with Dr. Joanne Haroutounian as a presenter at the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) convention in Austin, TX in 2006 where she instructed music professionals how to match innovative teaching strategies with student learning styles in a presentation entitled “Connecting With the Kid on the Bench.” She developed an online resource for music teachers to discuss student learning styles and share teaching strategies.

Ms. Brunner is a member of The Northern Virginia Music Teacher’s Association (NVMTA). She was the recipient of NVMTA’s professional development award in May 2006. She served on the Springfield Music Club’s Board as the Leestma Scholarship Chair from 2003-2007.

Ms. Brunner studied piano under extraordinary teachers across the nation including: Jaunita Hubbard of Altus, OK; Paula Sabin of Irvine, CA; Alice Heyer of Fairfax, VA; Tausha Plate of Charlotte, NC; and Joanne Haroutounian of Arlington, VA.

When she is not teaching, performing or song writing, Ms. Brunner enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, hiking, reading, poetry, art, sailing, and traveling.

Becky Schafer

Becky Schafer is an enthusiastic piano instructor who is passionate about instilling a love of music in her students. After studying piano for 17 years, she graduated summa cum laude from Liberty University with a B.M. in Piano Performance and B.S. in Psychology. She has performed several solo recitals, countless collaborative recitals, and has served as a worship musician in church for over ten years.

Becky has taught piano extensively since graduating from Liberty and brings five years of teaching and tutoring experience with her. She has taught students of many ages and skill levels, aiming to tailor her teaching to each student’s unique learning style.

While providing a well-rounded music education, she creates a positive, encouraging environment that fosters creativity and exploration. Her ultimate goal is to develop meaningful connections with her students, mentoring them to fulfill their musical potential in a caring, faith based environment in Kathryn Brunner’s Piano Studio.

In addition to piano, Becky is also a vocalist and a music theory enthusiast. During her free time, she loves to read, lead worship ministry teams at church, and spend time with her family and friends.

Asa Nero

Asa has been surrounded by music since a very young age. He began studying piano with Kathryn Brunner, the founder of Musik at Home, at the age of 4 and has since continued to study and play music in concert bands, jazz bands, chorus, and percussion ensembles. He holds a B.M. in jazz percussion from the University of North Texas. He is currently pursuing his masters degree in jazz arranging at UNT while also teaching piano.  When it comes to music, his creativity is off the charts!

Take his Jazz Course here: Creative Keys: Jazz Chords

Photo courtesy of Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation, Jeff Dunn, Photographer