Madina Akhatova ~ violin
Madina Akhatova was born and spent her first 5 years in Russia, after which her parents moved back to their hometown, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. She graduated with honors in 2006 from the Conservatory of Music in Uzbekistan, where she studied in the class of Alexander Sultanov. From 2003 until 2008, Madina was a member of the local Radio Chamber Orchestra of Uzbekistan.
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Madina graduated magna cum laude from Northern Kentucky University in Violin Performance in May 2012. After her graduation she taught privately at Angel’s House of Music in Ohio and at Northern Kentucky School of Music. Madina was a member of the Southbank Quartet (a quartet-in-residence at Northern Kentucky School of Music) since it was formed in 2012. As a member of the quartet she taught privately in addition to directing the Mozart (1st year) and Beethoven (2nd year) string programs. In 2014, Madina became a director and a conductor of the Northern Kentucky Concert Strings (5th-7th grades).
Megan Barrett ~ guitar, ukulele, voice, Music Together, youth choirs, community choir
Megan graduated with a degree in music education in 2006 and moved to Winterset where she served as the High School choir director (a position now held by her husband. In 2012, she transferred to Winterset Elementary where she taught general music for four years. For the past five years, Megan has enjoyed private teaching.
Elizabeth Hoenig ~ piano, flute
Elizabeth has been playing the piano and flute for over 35 years and studied flute performance at Iowa State University. Seven years ago she became something she never thought she'd be—a teacher! She was more surprised than anyone to discover that teaching is something she really enjoys. She loves seeing her students' enthusiasm for learning music. Aside from teaching, she also works as a piano technician and accompanies in several capacities for the Winterset school district. When she's not working with pianos in one way or another, she enjoys reading, fixing things around the house, going for walks with her dog, blogging, woodworking, and spending time with her family.
Nate Huston ~ intermediate and advanced guitar
Nate grew up surrounded by music in a family that played instruments, sang, and recorded music together. He studied music at Drake University and currently teaches music in the Winterset school district at the middle school and junior high. His fun-loving nature and sense of humor make learning a blast! When he's not teaching music and coaching rugby, he enjoys doing yard work and chopping wood.
Ava Lemon ~ beginning guitar
Ava is a sophomore at Winterset High School and has been playing guitar and ukulele and songwriting since she was in elementary school