Our Teachers
Jessica Heitmeyer
Jessica Heitmeyer, Director
Jessica grew up in Pickerington and received her BM from Capital University, and MM from the University of Oregon with an emphasis in Piano Pedagogy. While at Capital University, she also studied Organ Pedagogy and Literature with Janet Linker and Paul Thornock. She had the fortunate opportunity of studying Piano Pedagogy with Dr. Rebecca Johnson, current president of the Music Teacher's National Association. During her academic years, she presented for the Symposium on Undergraduate Scholarship and the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. In addition, she was a previous winner of Capital University's Concerto Competition and performed as a soloist with the Capital Wind Symphony. She studied piano performance with India D'Avignon (Capital University) and Dr. Claire Wachter (University of Oregon).
Ms. Heitmeyer was previously on the piano faculty at O’Hara Catholic School and a group piano instructor at the Eugene Piano Academy in Oregon. In addition to teaching, she keeps an active performing schedule with choral groups, churches, and soloists. Her credentials and more than 15 years of teaching experience demonstrate expertise and a passion for teaching. Her published article in the Clavier Companion highlights her previous experience teaching at the Vermont Independent School of the Arts, a non-profit school. Jessica integrates technique, reading and ear-training to provide her students with a well-rounded education. She also encourages student independence through active listening and problem solving. To make lessons enjoyable for her students, Jessica selects music appropriate for their age, level and interests.
Julia Price
Assistant Director
Julia Price is currently in college for business management. She loves ballroom dancing, houseplants, and afternoon tea. Julia believes in doing her best in all she does and looks forward to helping your Music Palette experience be the best.
Laurie Loper
Piano, Musikgarten
Laurie Loper brings over 30 years of experience to Music Palette as a piano teacher and accompanist. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in music from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, and a Master of Music degree in piano performance and accompanying from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She has previously taught both group and studio piano to students of all ages in multiple settings, including the Ohio State University – Newark, Otterbein University, Lawrence Arts Academy (Appleton, WI), the Music for Everyone Program (Green Bay, WI), and Hope College (Holland, MI). Her accompanying career has included student, faculty, and guest recitals at numerous colleges and universities. She has also maintained an active independent piano teaching studio wherever she has lived.
She believes that each student is uniquely gifted, and she strives to develop those gifts through a strong student-teacher relationship, energy, humor, and a solid approach based on musical and technical fundamentals. She is a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers, Ohio Music Teachers’ Association, and Music Teachers’ National Association.
Ginny Christopherson
Violin
Ginny Christopherson, noted violin teacher for many years in the Columbus area, is now available for violin lessons at Music Palette. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and Applied Violin, and a Master's Degree in Applied Violin from the University of Montana. She also completed additional graduate work at Northwestern, studying violin with Edgar Muenzer of the Chicago Symphony and performing with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. She received extensive Suzuki pedagogy training from world renowned pedagogues Louise Berhend, John Kendall, Dr. William Starr, among many others; as well as a month of study in Japan under Dr. Suzuki. Ginny founded the Suzuki Music Center of Central Ohio and the Capital University Suzuki Program and Institute. July 1st, 1994 was designated “Ginny Christopherson Day” in Bexley in recognition of her service at Capital University with the Summer Suzuki Institute which has touched so many lives.
The Ohio Music Teachers’ Association awarded Mrs. Christopherson the Certified Independent Teacher of the Year Award in 2006. Her many former administrative roles include serving as Secretary for the Ohio String Teachers Association state board, Strings Chairperson for state and local divisions of Music Teachers National Association, and Board member for the Sunday at Central Chamber Music Series at the Columbus Art Museum. Her students have won many local, state, and national competitions and are leaders in their school orchestras and the youth orchestras sponsored by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.
Music Palette students of Ginny Christopherson will receive instruction that will help them enjoy and excel at their performance level. Though space is limited, students at all levels, backgrounds, and ages are welcome.
Esther Upham Aluoch
Piano, Voice, Composition and Theory
Esther Upham Aluoch was born in Chicago, and grew up in the countryside of Indiana. She was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she completed both her Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy, and her Master of Music in Piano Accompanying. After completing her education, Esther taught class piano and other music subjects at Indiana University South Bend as an adjunct faculty member. During this time, she also gave private lessons at the University of Notre Dame and accompanied for their opera program. Throughout her career, she has maintained a private piano studio with students of all ages. As a composer, the first piece that Mrs. Upham Aluoch presented was a chamber piece entitled, "The Gospel According to St. John." Along with a small ensemble of four singers, cello, and flute, she performed this piece at Indiana University South Bend in 2004. Then, in 2010, her oratorio, “Love Revealed” was premiered in Jerusalem, Israel featuring the Israel Chamber Orchestra and the Jerusalem A Cappella Singers conducted by Elli Jaffe. There were two succeeding performances in 2012 and 2014. As a teacher, Mrs. Aluoch loves to work with students of all ages, from the beginning level to the advanced level. The parents of her students have always commented that their children felt very encouraged and inspired after working with her. Esther also teaches beginning flute and voice lessons.
Race Lerma
Race Lerma hails from Findlay, OH, and has been playing violin since he was four years old. He is a recent graduate of Capital University with a Bachelors of Music with focus on violin performance, music business, and piano training. For eight years, race was heavily involved with the Findlay Youth Orchestra where he played first violin, Northwest Regional Orchestra, and the University of Findlay Orchestra, receiving the National School Orchestra Award at the end of his involvement. He has been teaching private lessons for six years, and he brings a wide range of musical experience to his lessons in violin, guitar, ukulele, mandolin, beginner piano, and banjo.
Molly Brown
Molly Brown is a multi-instrumentalist, teacher, and writer. She received a B.A. in Music with a concentration in Cultural and Critical Studies at Bucknell University, where she also received both a B.A. and an M.A. in literature. She also studied music and English in multidisciplinary fashion at Hertford College, University of Oxford. She loves collaborative work and has most recently performed with Flux + Flow Dance Project. In addition to her passion for playing and for teaching piano, she also was a cellist in the Bucknell Symphony Orchestra, a member of the Bucknell Gamelan Ensemble, and has a significant background as a researcher/performer of Appalachian/Old Time ballads on the mandolin and mountain dulcimer. Her creative writing has also appeared in several publications, including Hobart, The Adirondack Review, Crab Creek Review, among others.
Angelique J. Gabrielle
Piano, organ, voice, woodwinds, brass, theory, composition and cello
Angelique J. Gabrielle grew up in Chillicothe, Ohio, and attended Wittenberg University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance. During her time as a student, she was an avid composer and music theorist having several pieces premiered during this time. She was also a member of the Wittenberg Choir, Wittenberg Singers, Chamber Orchestra, Symphonic Band, and Handbell choir. Since graduating in 2017, she was the Education Coordinator for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and is currently music director of Neal Avenue United Methodist Church in Newark.
Ms. Gabrielle believes that learning music is a journey and that it can reach to other aspects of life. She enjoys educating youth about the joys and disciplines of music education, whether it be teaching instruments, music theory, or music appreciation.
Zack Langer
Zack Langer is a Columbus-based percussionist and educator studying Music Education at Capital University. Zack grew up in Hilliard, Ohio and began playing percussion at a very early age. He attended Hilliard Bradley High School and was involved in many ensembles, including the indoor drumline, wind ensemble and the Jazz band.
While at Capital University, Zack has already played with the Concert Percussion Ensemble, Jazz percussion ensemble, Jazz Consort, Wind Symphony and the Steel Band. Zack also serves currently as the percussion instructor at Fairbanks High School. Zack is looking forward to teaching percussion to students of all ages at Music Palette.