Meet Your Instructor

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and a Master's in the Art of Teaching, but my relationship with music began long before university.

When I was seven, I was given my first alarm clock radio. For the first time, I was in charge of choosing what I listened to. I spent two weeks listening to mariachi music before eventually discovering Sacramento's classical radio station. Decades later, it is still one of my favorite stations.

Music has always felt less like a hobby and more like a companion.

I began studying music at nine years old on the clarinet. One of the most influential people in my musical life was my middle school band director, Lynne Tetlow. Her commitment to strong fundamentals and deep understanding of musicianship carried me through years where I had little formal guidance. Those foundations ultimately helped me earn acceptance into San Jose State University's Music Education program, one of the most comprehensive music education programs in the country under the mentorship of Dr. Janet Averett.

In high school, I discovered that I loved teaching almost as much as I loved music itself. I found myself helping classmates work through challenges, whether that meant troubleshooting an instrument I had never played before or helping another musician build a more personal connection to their music.

Today, that same curiosity drives my teaching.

At its heart, I don't believe I teach music.

I teach people through music.

Music simply happens to be the vehicle.

Through music, students learn how to listen deeply, solve problems creatively, tolerate frustration, refine their work over time, communicate clearly, and develop confidence in themselves. They learn that struggling with something does not mean they are failing—it means they are learning.

Parents often tell me they are surprised by how quickly their children grow—not only as musicians, but as people. My students know they can experiment, ask questions, make mistakes, and explore ideas without fear of judgment.

Some of my favorite teaching moments happen when a student goes beyond what was assigned and begins exploring on their own—changing a rhythm, creating a variation, improvising a phrase, or asking a question that sends us down an entirely new path. Those moments tell me a student is no longer simply learning music; they are beginning to make it their own.

I have a particular love for students who are curious, creative, independent, or who have been told they are difficult to teach. Many simply need information presented differently, more time to process, or permission to learn in a way that makes sense to them.

My teaching draws from a variety of traditions and philosophies. I blend listening, exploration, strong technical foundations, and music literacy in ways that adapt to each student's strengths and interests.

Students often begin by listening, observing, and experiencing music before focusing heavily on reading notation. By understanding how music sounds and feels first, reading becomes more meaningful and often significantly easier.

As a military spouse, I understand the challenges of frequent moves, changing schools, and rebuilding community. Creating stable, meaningful musical experiences for military-connected families is one of the things I value most about my work.

Outside of music, you'll usually find me with my Border Collies, working in the garden, hiking, camping, paddleboarding, gaming, or exploring the outdoors.

What continues to inspire me after all these years is simple: watching a student light up when they personally connect with music.

Music is one of the oldest things humans do. It connects us across cultures, generations, and centuries. Every student who learns music becomes part of that story, and it is a privilege to help guide them along the way.

Teaching Experience

Miss Morgan’s instructional experience includes:

• classroom music education in elementary, middle, and high school

• private instruction

• ensemble direction

• beginner through advanced musicianship

• winds, brass, strings, voice, piano

• audition preparation

Why The Craft Exists

The Crafty was created from the belief that music education can be both deeply artistic and thoughtfully structured.

Students deserve learning environments that support:

• confidence without fear

• creativity alongside technique

• healthy musical habits

• collaborative artistry

• reflective growth

• meaningful connection to music.