At Palen Music Center, we believe that music makes a difference in the lives of people. One of our great missions is helping others learn how to express themselves through music. Not only are our instructors great teachers but they are also people of great character. Our Performance Week Program gives you the opportunity to perform what you are learning.
Kaitlin is a classically trained pianist originating from southwest Kansas. She began piano lessons at age 5 and continued taking lessons until her high school graduation. Within that time, Kaitlin furthered her music education through solos and ensembles on the bassoon, helping sixth grade band students as a teacher assistant, and studying music theory, history, and appreciation. Kaitlin graduated from Emporia State University with a BA in Music and minor in Psychology in 2021. During her time in college she participated in wind ensemble and marching band, taking on the challenge of Covid-style head drum major in Fall 2020. Kaitlin hopes to continue her education at UMKC for her masters in Music Therapy equivalency, but in the meantime is excited to share her musical knowledge with the Columbia community.
Josh began teaching at Palen Music Center in 2003. He began playing the piano in first grade, moving to drums in fourth grade beginning band and picking up guitar in Junior High. Since then he has played drums and percussion in University Concert and Jazz bands, studying Jazz under Andy Leask in Reading, England. He has performed and recorded on drums and guitar in many local rock, blues, and country bands. Josh received his BM in Music History from the University of Missouri in 2010 and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Musicology.
Daniel is a multifaceted composer, musician, and visual artist. He holds a Master’s degree in music composition from the University of Missouri in addition to a Bachelor’s of music composition from Southeast Missouri State University. Daniel is also a versatile instrumentalist playing piano, banjo, guitar, mandolin, and trumpet. During his time at the University of Missouri he was the pianist of the Mizzou New Music Ensemble in addition to being an audio-visual editor for the Mizzou New Music Initiative. He has been featured as a banjo soloist and composer in various concerts and recitals at the University of Missouri, Southeast Missouri University, and East Central College. His banjo concerto Ancient Echoes was showcased at the 2020 Mizzou International Composers Festival in which he performed banjo alongside the Mizzou New Music Ensemble. Banjo virtuoso Tony Trischka has described the piece as “totally impressive.” As a banjo player and composer, Daniel is always working on writing and arranging music to reinvent the instrument. For example, his piece Perplexion fuses the styles of bluegrass, rag, jazz, and contemporary classical music. Furthermore, Daniel has arranged and performed Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C# minor Op. 3, No. 2 on the banjo, considerably expanding what audiences think of an often type-casted instrument. Beyond being an active performer and composer, Daniel has considerable experience as a music instructor. While at Southeast Missouri State University he studied piano pedagogy under Dr. Kevin Hampton. Daniel has taught all age ranges and enjoys helping others find their passion in music no matter the genre. As a composer he has worked with many ensembles including the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Mizzou New Music Ensemble, and Alarm Will Sound. Daniel’s interests in writing music are seemingly limitless as he has explored many different folk traditions in his compositions along with the genres of dubstep, glitch, pop, and modern classical music. Rather than being defined by one particular genre of music, Daniel’s compositions are characterized by the seamless integration of many musical influences. You can view Daniel’s work at www.fitzpatrick-media.com..
Austin Morrison is a passionate and dedicated music teacher with more than 10 years of extensive experience in providing high-quality music education to students. He was previously located at the largest music school in San Diego, California called Forte Academy of the Arts where he taught for most of his tenure. In his time there he worked with over 200 students doing one-on-one lessons with students of varying ages and skill levels ranging from 5 years to 87 year old students. He brings his expertise and enthusiasm to the dynamic environment of our music store. With a deep understanding of various genres, Austin possesses a versatile background that allows him to cater to the diverse interests and goals of his students. Austin attended Vanguard University of Southern California where he emphasized in Jazz Studies and honed his skills and developed a deep appreciation of music theory, technique, and performance. His hobbies are spending time at the beach, surfing, watching and playing sports, obviously playing his many guitars, as well as spending time with family. He has a genuine passion for fostering creativity and expression in his students, aiming to instill in them not just technical proficiency but also a lifelong love for music!
Russell started playing the violin when he was 10. He was drawn to the violin by his father who was a fiddle player. Throughout his high school years, Russell played with several orchestras and soloed around Mississippi. Russell then went on to attend Louisiana State University on a full-ride scholarship in music performance, focusing on violin. Throughout his undergraduate degree, Russell played with the Baton Rouge Symphony and other groups in Louisiana, all while at the same time teaching private lessons. Russell has taught all ages of students from 5 to 75. Russell believes that music is one of the best things that you can teach another person: life without music would be a mistake! Russell teaches classical, blues, country, gospel and improvisation.
Cindy Segafredo teaches piano and voice lessons. She has been singing and playing for 40 years and uses her experience in many areas of music. She has participated in several organized choirs, including the Southern Illinois University Community choir where she sang at the St. Louis Opera House with the choir and the Philharmonic Orchestra. Presently, she sings with the Missouri United Methodist Church choir. In addition to teaching music, Cindy has been taking drum lessons for six years. Cindy taught Special education for 15 years, where she utilized her skills to teach music to special-needs children in the classroom and in private lessons. Cindy enjoys sharing her love for music with all ages.
Brendan first picked up a pair of sticks when he was 5 years old, and started taking drum lessons shortly after. Being born to two of Rush’s biggest fans, Brendan grew up listening to lots of Classic Rock, Hard Rock, and just about everything that was played on KSHE95. He expanded his musical tastes from borrowing his older brother’s iPod, which exposed him to Ska, Reggae, Punk Rock, Hip Hop, and Death Metal to name a few. He joined his middle school band program as a percussionist which opened up a whole new world of drums and percussion. When he started High School, he was enrolled in the High School Concert/Marching Band, and was also encouraged by some friends to join the school Jazz Band as a drumset player. It was around this time that he would also join his dad’s cover band and gain lots of gigging experience. Around his Sophomore year, his Band Director recommended that he take private lessons with Kevin Gianino, the Jazz Drum Set instructor at Webster University in St. Louis. Having studied with Kevin through his senior year, Brendan was able to make the Missouri All-State Jazz Band his senior year of High School, as well as the Missouri All-Collegiate Jazz Band his Junior Year of college. Brendan earned his Bachelors of Music Education from Central Methodist University, being actively involved with the Concert Bands, Jazz Bands, Percussion Ensembles, Marching Band, and Praise/Worship Band. He took private percussion lessons all 4 years with Brian Tate. While at CMU, he met fellow student and singer/songwriter Preston Ary, who was looking to start up a band. He has since been gigging with the Preston Ary Band, playing all across MO. After graduating, Brendan went on to teach K-12 Music for one year, and has since been gaining hands-on experience with Music Production and Recording, as well as being a part-time Sales Representative at Palen Music Center in Columbia.
A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Kagan Williams is a multi-faceted musician with years of experience as a private instructor, music director, as well as an audio engineer and producer. At Berklee, Kagan earned a Bachelors in Music Business with a Specialization in Guitar and an Avid certification in Music Production. Kagan has served as a session musician for local artists and fellow Berklee colleagues and is an active guitarist in local metal band Sacred Pyre.
Give one of our friendly Sales Engineers a call for information on teacher availability,
pricing, and any other questions that you may have at the time.
2609 E. Broadway
Suite 206/208
Columbia, MO 65201
Mon. - Fri. 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
