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Strings Program
Private Lessons
Private Lessons are offered year-round. 30, 45, and 60 minute lessons are available. You may register throughout the year. Summer lessons are optional. Lessons are appropriate for ages 3 and up.
Our instructors are all familiar with the Suzuki curriculum as well as many other curricula. Dr. Wang is Suzuki certified Books 1-4. See instructor bios below regarding their other extensive qualifications and teaching experiences.
To register for private lessons please complete the Private Lesson Inquiry Form. Once the form is submitted, you will be contacted to schedule private lessons.
We offer scholarships for students whose household meet the federal qualifications for free or reduced lunch. Please contact MAC at 785-537-4420 for more information when registering.
String Studio Class
Our instructors are all familiar with the Suzuki curriculum as well as many other curricula. Dr. Wang is Suzuki certified Books 1-4. See instructor bios below regarding their other extensive qualifications and teaching experiences.
Register for Classes or Lessons
To register for private lessons please complete the Private Lesson Inquiry Form. Once the form is submitted, you will be contacted to schedule private lessons.
We offer scholarships for students whose household meet the federal qualifications for free or reduced lunch. Please contact MAC at 785-537-4420 for more information when registering.
String Studio Class
Studio classes are designed for students ages 13 years and up. This is a performance class where students play their ready pieces in front of each other and provide feedback to one another. This informal setting develops students' critical thinking and is for intermediate/advanced students.
Suzuki String Program
Suzuki Group Class
Suzuki group classes will be for the students between ages of 4-12. This class includes activities for students and parents (optional), conducted by the teacher. It is for beginner or beginner/intermediate students. The Suzuki Group classes meet on Thursdays for 10 weeks each semester. Suzuki Group may be added on to any CSPA strings registration. We will offer a remote option for class.
Group Violin @ MAC
Manhattan Arts Center's Group Violin classes are an introduction to violin for students ages 4-12. These group classes have a more informal approach and are designed for students who are not taking private lessons. MAC Group Violin meets weekly for 12 weeks each semester. Each level is designed as a one-year curriculum that runs September to May, but students may join in January. See more information about MAC Group Violin classes here.
CSPA String Faculty
Mandy Wang, violin/viola, String Division ChairViolinist Man Wang is the first prize winner of the 2015 MTNA Kansas State and West Central competition, third prize winner of the 2015 Enkor International Chamber Music Competition, honor prize of the 2016 Misbin Memorial Chamber Music Competition. Other competitions she got top prizes include 2010 Shandong Young Artist Competition and Golden Award of the Music Competition in Beijing. She has performed extensively
as a soloist and member of the CNU String Quartet throughout Beijing and Shandong. From 2000 to 2006, Ms. Wang was frequently invited to perform in Japan, Korea and Taiwan with the Shandong Youth Philharmonic as a soloist, chamber musician, and concertmaster. In the summer of 2017 she performed in Aspen Music Festival under the baton of Ludovic Morlot of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and prominent British conductor Jane Glover, where she studied with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Robert Chen and Cornelia Heard. Also she was a member of the International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico in its inaugural season in 2017 where she got re-invited for their consecutive seasons.
Ms. Wang’s talent for music was noticed when she was very young. She began studying the violin at the age of 5 in Shandong. In 2007, She was admitted to the Beijing Capital Normal University (CNU) as a top student. She completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees with the most prestigious scholarships. In 2018 Man Wang received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in violin performance at the University of Kansas, where she studied with Dr. Véronique Mathieu and served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the university orchestra. In 2020 she received her Graduate Certificate from the University of Kansas in violin performance under the instruction of David Colwell. Currently, she is working on her Master of Music degree in viola performance studying with Boris Vayner. Since 2017 she is a faculty member at Ottawa University and performer-artist at NAVO Organization. In 2017 she joined the Community School for the Performing Arts in Manhattan, Kansas.
Brett Lytle, cello
Brett Lytle is in his first year teaching middle and high
school orchestra for USD 383. Prior to his roles at CSPA and USD383,
Brett held graduate teaching assistant positions in music and
educational psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Brett
began playing cello at age 10 and studied with Erinn Renyer, completing
bachelor's degrees in music education and cello performance from
Washburn University in 2019. He was awarded a graduate assistantship and
Hixson-Lied Performing Arts Fellowship to study cello performance at
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, studying with Dr. Karen Becker. In
2020, he was awarded a graduate teaching assistantship and fellowship in
Educational Psychology through the College of Education and Human
Sciences at UNL. Brett graduated with a M.M. in cello performance from
UNL in 2021.
Clara Kachanes, violin/viola
Clara received a Bachelor of Music degree from Fort Hays State University in 2020. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Arts Leadership and Management through Wichita State University.
Clara’s orchestral engagements have included the Great Bend Community Orchestra, Hays Symphony Orchestra, Fort Hays State University Sinfonietta, Hutchinson Symphony Orchestra, and Salina Symphony Orchestra. Some of Clara's other past musical engagements include Western Kansas Orchestra Festival, UMKC Honor Orchestra Festival, Regional and State Music Festival, KMEA Southwest District Festival, and Kansas Intercollegiate Orchestra. During her summers, Clara has attended High Plains Music Camp, Camp Allegro, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and the Brevard Music Festival. Her internship opportunities have included High Plains Music Camp, Western Kentucky University String Institute, and NAVO.
Clara gained experience in administrative work during her undergraduate career as Personnel Manager and Orchestra Librarian for the Hays Symphony. Clara is excited to expand on this knowledge by working for the Flint Hills Children’s Choir as the Administrative Director.
Ryan Keith, violin/viola
CSPA String Faculty
Mandy Wang - String Division Chair, violin/viola
Clara Kachanes - violin/viola
Ryan Keith - violin/viola
Brett Lytle - cello