Kiersten Gustafson has been teaching music for about six years, beginning with her own piano students while she was still in high school. She went on to study music education with an emphasis in violin at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), where she studied violin under Professor David Neely and performed with the UNL Symphony Orchestra. During her time at UNL, Kiersten gained teaching experience through practicums and student teaching, the UNL/LPS String Project, the Lincoln Homeschool Orchestra, and private piano instruction through Emily Mefort’s Piano Studio.
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Kiersten began taking violin lessons at age four and added piano at age eight. She participated in youth orchestras from fifth grade through high school, building a strong foundation in classical music that continues to shape her playing and teaching today.
Her teaching style is positive, motivating, and creative. Kiersten enjoys finding new ways to help students have fun while learning and practicing their instruments. She also uses a question-based approach, encouraging students to think through the music and come to their own conclusions. Her goal is to help students develop not only their musical skills, but also the confidence and independence to become thoughtful musicians.
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Kiersten especially enjoys working with elementary and middle school students and loves discovering what makes each student unique. She believes every student learns differently and enjoys tailoring lessons to fit the individual. Her own music teachers inspired her to pursue teaching by investing their time, energy, and encouragement in her, and she hopes to give her students that same meaningful experience. Kiersten also has experience helping students prepare for solo and small ensemble competitions and performances through her practicums and student teaching.
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Classically trained in violin, Kiersten especially enjoys playing and teaching classical music, while looking forward to exploring new genres as well. She occasionally performs as a substitute violinist with Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra and shares her music through holiday worship services at her church. And one memorable musical adventure has taken her well beyond Nebraska—during a summer trip to Europe, she had the opportunity to visit Mozart’s birthplace!
