* Stephanie Gemmell, flute & piccolo, guitar, ukulele, piano, and drums instructor

Teaching Artist Statement:
Every developing musician’s artistic voice is inherently unique and valuable. I seek to foster open, collaborative lessons that help musicians express themselves clearly and authentically. My hope is for my students to leave each lesson feeling confident in their own potential and excited to continue their musical growth. Music is ultimately a form of artistic communication, and I support my students in effectively conveying musical ideas across a variety of genres and musical styles.

Teaching Bio:
Steph earned her Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Music Studies from Berklee College of Music in 2024, concentrating on music production and film scoring. She received her Bachelor of Arts from George Washington University in 2021. Steph has been teaching multi-instrumental music lessons since 2020, and she joined CVSM as an instructor in 2022. Steph draws on her collaborative work background as a producer, mix engineer, and film composer to tailor lessons to the interests and goals of each individual student. She also enjoys introducing students to fundamental composition and songwriting techniques, helping to facilitate self-expression and creativity throughout the learning process. Steph teaches students of all ages and skill levels, seeking to support students’ curiosity and confidence throughout their musical growth.

Performance Bio:
As a flutist, Steph has performed in the DC area as a member of the Washington Young Sinfonia, GW Orchestra, and the National Cathedral Choral Festival Orchestra. She also has experience as a performer and backing instrumentalist playing keyboard, guitar, and drums. As a flute and piccolo player, Steph is experienced playing and teaching classical repertoire, as well as improvisational jazz and rock flute. As a drummer, Steph specializes in indie rock, post-punk, and jazz fusion styles. As a keyboard player and guitarist, Steph is most experienced playing blues rock, psych rock, and jazz. Steph has independently released self-produced EPs that feature her passions for musical exploration, synthesis and sound design, and multi-instrumental performance. Steph is grateful to be a She Is The Music mentee for production & engineering and a member of ASCAP and GRAMMY U. Her portfolio is available at stephgemm.net.

* Heather McEndree, Executive Director, Musikgarten & flute instructor

Teaching Statement:
We are born to be musical, and music is one of the many pieces that make us whole. I encourage music-making to be a joyful part of every day life, from my tiniest Musikgarten babies to my adult flute students. The early childhood classes are designed for the learning and sharing of music within families and the curriculum is based on the natural stage of childhood. I extend this natural progression to the flute lessons, adjusting music and tasks to match the goals and needs of each individual student.

Teaching Bio:
McEndree holds a B S Music Ed and B A Flute from Lebanon Valley College and  M Music Ed graduate assistant-ship from Temple University, including special courses in early childhood music. She is a certified instructor for Musikgarten, an international early education music program. Heather began teaching for CVSM in 2011 and is a former teacher of middle school band and general music for Frederick County and Washington County Public Schools. McEndree has had articles published in ‘Music Educators Journal’ and ‘Maryland Music Educators Journal,’ as well as presenting sessions for the Maryland Music Educators Association. She has received honors including ‘First Year Teacher Award,’ ‘First-Class Teacher Award,’ and three nominations for ‘Teacher of the Year.’

Performance Bio:
McEndree is a flutist for the Shippensburg Community Band in Shippensburg, PA. She is a member of Toot Uncommon, a flute ensemble based out of Williamsport, MD, and  a former member of the Frederick Flute Choir in Frederick, MD. Heather is a member of the CVSM Symphonic Band on flute and percussion. She performs for various events in a solo capacity as well as with piano or guitar.

* Suzanne Thierry, flute instructor

B.M. University of Alabama. M.M. & M.M. Bowling Green State University. Five-year tenure on the faculty of BGSU and administrator for BGSU’s MidAmerican Center for contemporary music. An active flutist and piano accompanist, she has performed as a soloist and chamber musician on a variety of venues nationally. Has worked with composers throughout the U.S. as a specialist in the performance of contemporary music. Active with the National Flute Association. Studied with Sheryl Cohen and Judith Bentley, has participated in the master classes of Jean Pierre Rampal, Alain Marion and Samuel Baron. A former faculty member of Wilson College and Dickinson College. A certified public school teacher in PA & OH, she currently teaches with CASD and was a reader for the AP National Music Theory Exams administered through the Educational Testing Service (ETS). She also directs the flute choir at Shippensburg University.

*Tracy Thomas, voice, clarinet, piano, & Musikgarten instructor

Tracy Thomas attended West Chester University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. While there she studied under Terry Guidetti, and was the principal clarinetist in the Wind Ensemble, Chamber Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra.

She started her career teaching elementary general music in Big Spring School District in Newville, Pennsylvania, and later at Maugansville Elementary School (Washington County Public Schools) in Hagerstown, Maryland. In 2013 she earned her Musikgarten teaching certification, and in 2014 she left public education to start her own business teaching early childhood music classes and private lessons in Greencastle, Pennsylvania. In 2020 she merged her business with the Cumberland Valley School of Music in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. She is now the manager of the Greencastle branch and teaches Musikgarten classes, voice classes, and private clarinet, voice, and piano lessons.

Tracy recently retired from the Army National Guard, where she served as a clarinetist and vocalist for 24 years. During her time in service, she had the privilege of singing for several NASCAR races, multiple Governors and Senators, and the President of the United States.

Tracy also performs throughout Central Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia with a dance band called Back To Back.

* Ashley Wyrick, woodwind & violin instructor

Miss Wyrick is a native of Chambersburg, PA and studied a variety of instruments in the Chambersburg School District. She studied clarinet with Paul Grane and violin with Cindy Scanzello. Ashley was a CVSM Merit Award Winner and Guarriello Scholarship recipient. In addition, she participated in County, District, Regional, and State band during high school.

She completed her K-12 Music Education Certification at Kutztown University, where she studied clarinet with Elizabeth Stimpert and Dr. Soo Goh. During her college years, she participated in a variety of music groups including the KU Marching Unit, led by Professor Daniel Neuenschwander, and the Kutztown University Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Willis Rapp.

Since graduating in 2014, Miss Wyrick has been a substitute teacher in the Chambersburg School District. In the summer she enjoys playing with the Hagerstown Municipal Band.