Selah Music Ankeny Music Studio
Meet Our Teachers
Where it began
I started singing and playing piano alongside my daddy as a young child. I grew to love music of all kinds. From singing Italian opera, to playing percussion in the marching band, and jamming out as the lead singer in a rock band, music has always been a huge part of my life.
Education
So, naturally I earned my degree in Music Education and began my professional teaching career right out of college directing High School and Middle School Choir. Teaching little ones to listen, read music, and play together is kinda like a fun playdate with my little buddies. Coaching teens and adults to play and sing with power and confidence is equally awesome.
Free time
Often you can find me using my musical abilities to lead worship in my local church. I really enjoy inspiring others to use their gifts to bring God glory! When I have free time I like to explore nature, go to fancy restaurants with my handsome husband, and beat my kids at Uno or any other game they dare to bring to the table.
Where it began
I have had a love for music for as long as I can remember! My parents have always said that I would sing and dance all the time when I was younger (still do); making up my own ditties and songs or singing the Sunday School song that I had learned that week over and over. I started piano lessons at the age of eight, learning any song (especially classical) that I could. Learning piano gave me the knowledge needed to become both a skilled singer and musician. I have played and sang in multiple competitions, recitals, and musicals. One of my biggest passions musically comes from worship during church. It is my favorite way to give glory to God by using the gift He's given me to praise Him. I feel closest to God when I am singing or playing for Him and to Him.
Education
I graduated from Hannibal-LaGrange University with my Bachelors' in Secondary Education in Mathematics. I was always involved in music during college, however, participating in many ensembles, including travelling choirs and a band where I lead worship whilst playing keys at multiple camps. I also performed in the musicals where I met my husband. Music has given me so much! Teaching has also always been a passion of mine! I have tutored and taught math for several years and am wanting to bring the knowledge and skills of teaching to the music world! Music has a way of connecting people and I found that it was a way to build relationships with my students even in a math classroom. Piano and singing is a skill that you will always be able to use and enjoy and using that talent to glorify the Lord is the best way!
Free time
I love spending time with my husband and daughter. We love playing games, going on walks, watching movies and TV shows, reading books, and enjoying quality time together. I also love spending time with my family and my husband's family and we try to find time to visit often! My husband, Harrison, has a passion for music as well which has extended to our daughter, Iris. She sings songs, dances, and plays her multiple pianos for us to hear. Like her mother and father, she loves to perform for everyone around her. We love our days together!
Where it began
Music was a big part of my family - my dad being an accomplished musician and my brother being a worship leader. I've been playing both piano and drums as early as I can remember.
I began taking piano lessons at the age of Six and haven’t stopped learning since then! At 15, I discovered my love for jazz piano.
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Education
After graduating from Grand View Christian School I attended DMACC for graphic design and web development.
While working in that field for a few years and teaching lessons on the side, I discovered teaching music was what I really wanted to pursue. So I have been gaining experience and learning the art of pedagogy for both piano and drums and have been doing so for almost a decade.
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Free time
My favorite thing to do is spending time with my wife and daughter. My wife and I like to watch movies and tv shows, talk about books and podcasts, go on walks, and play with our daughter.
Our daughter, Nahomy, loves to listen to us read books to her, play in the grass, and play on her mini piano. She brings us so much joy!
I am currently in school to be a piano technician. Much of my free time is spent learning more, being in classes, and working on repairing my own piano at home.
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Where it began
My love of music began almost from day one. As a toddler I danced, sang and even “played” piano. I started piano lessons as soon as I could, and from there, music quickly became an intimate and beautiful language that I loved to study. From recitals to competitions to accompaniment, I loved all things piano and music. I developed a passion for playing worship music as well as embracing and tackling the most challenging classical music my piano professor could give me.
Education
In college, my favorite classes were music theory, and I spent hours at the piano mastering classical pieces. I studied piano with a college piano professor, and her teaching technique and skills inspired me to begin teaching piano. Teaching piano became one of my greatest passions, and I love exploring the musical world with children and teaching them the power and beauty of music.
Free time
Serving on keys with our church worship team is one of my most favorite things. There is an indescribable joy when you get to serve Jesus with a skill He has allowed you to develop. Apart from music, my days are filled with serving and loving my husband and our little girl. I love being active and enjoying the outdoors as well as reading and listening to almost every genre of podcast.
Where it began
When I was in fourth grade, I started playing the violin and discovered a passion for music. As my love for music grew, I decided to expand my skills and began taking piano and voice lessons. During my high school years, I was an active member of the school's music program, participating in the orchestra and choir, and thoroughly enjoyed playing and singing with others who shared my passion for music.
Education
I am a proud alumni of Drake University where I earned my degree in Music Education. Following graduation, I started my teaching career by instructing the orchestra at a school in Urbandale. A few years later, I took on the role of a high school orchestra director in Newton. I am truly enthusiastic about teaching and the rewarding experience of watching my students grow and improve week after week.
Free time
In my leisure time, I find great joy in playing the violin as part of the church orchestra, especially during the special programs held for Christmas and Easter. Additionally, I love to spend time with my four boys, Seth (18), Sam (15), Sebastian (11), and Saul (8), and watch them participate in a variety of activities, including Miracle League Baseball, track, basketball, football, marching band, and piano lessons. I love to encourage them as they grow and develop from season to season.
Where it began
Being the daughter of a worship pastor and a pianist, I have enjoyed and participated in music for as long as I can remember. I had the pleasure of taking piano lessons in elementary school and began playing the bassoon in 7th grade. Throughout high school and college,
I participated in every musical ensemble I could including band, choir, musicals, and my church worship team. As an adult, my love for music has naturally grown into a love of teaching and equipping future musicians.
Education
I continued to develop my musical abilities in college through taking theory classes, piano lessons, and participating in a variety of musical ensembles. Ultimately, my love for teaching the Bible won out, and I graduated from Clarks Summit University in Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Bible and an emphasis in counseling.
After graduating, my husband and I served in youth ministry where I had the opportunity to develop, train, and lead worship teams. I am passionate about instilling a love of music in the next generation and I truly enjoy guiding individuals on the next step of their musical journey!
Free time
Whenever possible in this season of having an 8, 6, 4, and 2 year old, I love participating on my church’s worship team and singing in our choir as well as serving in youth and children’s ministry! As time allows,
I will always enjoy meeting friends for a good cup of coffee, listening to podcasts at the gym, and picking up the occasional crochet project, but most of my time is spent homeschooling and caring for my amazing family!
"We are so grateful to have discovered Mrs Shelia and Selah Music Studio!!
We appreciate how she encourages her students to use their talents to glorify the Lord. She clearly loves her students, and loves teaching! She makes learning fun, and my 6 year old looks forward to her weekly lesson! What a blessing Shelia has been in our lives!"
So Grateful
- Jennifer
"We started at Selah when Ingrid was 5 and have loved seeing her grow in her skills. Mrs. Shelia has made the lesson pace personal to her needs and has made the atmosphere so welcoming for her. We really love piano lesson days, and have been thankful for how learning piano has become a joy for our daughter."
-Molly
Growing in her skills
"As a mom of three girls who have taken private and group lessons with Selah Music Ankeny, I've been able to see how each of them has blossomed into musicians in their own right over the years. My girls still sing fun warm up songs that they learned from Mrs. Shelia over 10 years ago. Shelia has invested into the heart of our children both spiritually and musically. We can't imagine what it would have been like to have music in our lives without her."
- Jenn
Inspiring
"I heard back from the music department at Dordt. I received two vocal music scholarships! Thank you so much for helping me prepare for my audtion. It helped me so much!"
