OPEN ARTS STUDIO

John Armstrong's key objectives in founding the Open Arts Studio with his wife Lucy is to provide students with a classical foundation in music, visual and performance arts while creating a safe, noncompetitive and enjoyal classroom atmosphere.  He teaches the Open Arts Drawing Method, singing, voice overs and improv.  He has a Bachelor of Music from Central Washington University and received his Masters degree in Music & Classical Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado.  John has created and studied art his his childhood.

Heather Cornelius teaches ceramics to children and adults.  She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in three dimensional media, with and emphasis in ceramics from Pacific Lutheran in May 2006.  Heather enjoys working with all age groups and sharing her love of all things clay.  In Heather's ceramic classes, students get exposure to throwing on the pottery wheel, hand building, sculpting and various glazing techniques.

Peter Giardina has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Youngstown State University in Ohio.  He earned his Master's degree in Education Technology from City University.  Peter has been working as a public school teacher for 11+ years and has a background in the Orff and Kodaly teaching methods.  He has taught guitar privately for 20+ years.  Peter has expierence in many areas and styles of guitar such as fingerstyle, classical, electric rhythm and blues as well as rock.  He has participated in many cover bands, tribute bands and original bands.  Peter is also an aspiring singer and songwriter.

Bethany Lambert teaches piano at Open Arts Studio.  She recieved her Bachelors degree in Music Composition through the University of Texas.  She enjoys composing her own music and especially admires the early 20th century composer, Amy Beach.  Bethany is an energetic teacher who really loves teaching children as well as adults.  She lives in Tacoma with her husband Jason and her young son Tucker.

Scott Fikse teaches piano at Open Arts Studio.  Native to the Pacific Northwest, Scott recently graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a degree in Music.  He is currently in his second year of teaching.  In addition to teaching piano at the Open Arts Studio, Scott is also a choral clinician at local secondary school.  A free-lance composer and accomplished singer, he has sung with noted ensembles including the Choir of the West and the PLU Choral Union, as well as the Northwest Chamber Choir and Tacoma Symphony Chorus.  He studies voice with Wanye Bloommingdal and piano with Amy Grinsteiner, Phylis Bachmann and Robert Jorgensen.

Lilas teaches beading at Open Arts Studio.  Bio coming soon.