Private Lessons
It is the goal of the China Spring Cougar Band to provide the very best learning experiences for each band student. One of these learning experiences is the opportunity for a student to study privately with an advanced instrumentalist. This enrichment opportunity is available to all band students in grades 6-12 and is optional. Private lessons serve to provide individual attention to each student that generally improves their performance level. This improvement also has a positive effect on the band as a whole.
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Below are the private lesson instructors that we use for the Cougar Band. Reach out to the instructor for your instrument to get started with scheduling your lessons.
Masha Popova enjoys a versatile career as a flutist and educator in the Central Texas area. She currently performs as Principal Flute of the Shreveport Symphony, as well as holds the position of adjunct instructor in chamber music at Baylor University, and flute instructor at Mclennan Community College. During the summers, she performs with the Central City Opera Orchestra in Colorado as Principal Flute. Prior to moving to Waco, she had completed a four year fellowship with the New World Symphony. Some performance highlights include soloing with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and performing as guest principal flutist with Auckland (NZ) Philharmonia and Seattle Symphony. In most recent seasons, Masha Popova has performed with the Baltimore Symphony, Chicago Symphony, and Houston Symphony.
Faustina Beltran
Oboe Instructor
Tristen Collinsworth is a multi-woodwind performer and educator specializing in reed instruments in central Texas. His experience spans a wide range of genres, from classical styles to contemporary techniques.
Born in California, he began as a saxophonist before expanding to other instruments, eventually choosing to pursue a bachelor’s degree in bassoon performance at the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music, where he won the 2020 concerto competition. He continued his education by receiving a master’s degree in bassoon performance at the Baylor University School of Music. Since graduating, he has remained in Waco, working as a private educator at local schools and a freelance performer on all woodwinds.
His past experience includes musical theatre with the Waco Civic Theatre, McLennan Community College, and Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble (Brentwood, CA). He is an oboist with First Methodist Church of Waco & the Waco Community Band, and a bassoonist with the McLennan Community Orchestra. Additionally, he has served as a woodwind tech for marching, judged for honor bands, and has experience in music arranging & transcribing.
Tristen is a student of Dr. Nicolasa Kuster and Dr. Ann Shoemaker. He is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity and Pi Kappa Lambda music honors society. Outside of music, Tristen enjoys weightlifting and reading.
Jacob Campos
Clarinet Instructor
A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Jacob Campos is currently pursuing graduate studies in conducting at Baylor University under the baton of Jeff Grogan. He previously served as Director of Bands at Franklin High School in Williamson County, Tennessee, where his ensembles were selected to perform at the 2015, 2017, and 2019 Chamber Music National Festival in Indianapolis.
In addition to his teaching, Jacob has worked with the Nashville Symphony as Corporate Engagement Manager and has performed with the Classical Symphony Orchestra of Chicago, the Murfreesboro Symphony, the Tennessee Valley Winds, the Nashville Wind Ensemble, and alongside members of the Nashville Symphony.
Jacob has been recognized as a Metro Nashville Blue Ribbon Teacher (2014), a three-time CMA “Teacher of Excellence” (2018, 2020, 2022), and was named to Yamaha’s national “40 Under 40” in 2021. He serves as Youth Committee Chair for the International Clarinet Association, presented at the ICA Convention in 2017, and is the current Hall of Fame Committee Chair for the Tennessee Bandmasters Association.
Gonzalo Murillo
Saxophone Instructor
Gonzalo Murillo is a dedicated saxophonist currently pursuing a degree in saxophone performance at Baylor University under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Jacobson. Actively engaged in Baylor's music scene, he contributes his talents to various ensembles including the Baylor Wind Ensemble, Concert Jazz Band, and serves as the soprano player in Baylor's esteemed "Vagts Quartet." Prior to his university studies, Gonzalo established himself as a standout musician at Irving High School in Irving, Texas. As principal saxophonist in both his high school's wind ensemble and the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra's Wind Ensemble (FYWO), he honed his skills under the guidance of Roy Allen. Gonzalo's passion for chamber music is evident through his involvement in top saxophone quartets and ensembles, showcasing his extensive experience in this genre.
Steve Hart
Trumpet Instructor
Steve Hart has been a trumpet performer for over 50 years in a wide variety of styles including jazz, rock, classical and many other genres, with groups as diverse as the Barnum & Bailey Circus, The Spinners, the Waco Jazz Orchestra and other community organizations, self-led bands and recording-for-hire. He has also composes and arranged many published (DHQ Music; Adamantium Music) and unpublished works in a variety of styles and mediums, both individually and as a partner
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As a teacher, conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, he has four decades of experience at the secondary and community college levels, as well as led high school bands to earn UIL Sweepstakes. Currently the band director at Hill College in Hillsboro, TX.
Kaitlyn Johnson
French Horn Instructor
Trombone Instructor
COMING SOON!
Owen Goddu
Euphonium Instructor
Owen Goddu is a euphonium performance master's student at Baylor University and is a euphonium and tuba performer and educator in the Waco area. Through his career, Owen has engaged in both solo and chamber performances in Richmond, Virginia and Waco. In his performance, Owen puts a unique emphasis on vocal music, especially Schubert song cycles. This fascination with song cycles has led Owen to perform and advocate for the performance of thematic or narratively driven recital programs. Believing that an hour to tell a cohesive story though music is one of the most precious opportunities a musician has, Owen has completed a slew of narrative recitals. Most recently, Owen completed the recital projects “On The Road” and “We Are The Future: A Musical Love Letter to my Youth” that were focused respectively on moving from Virginia to Texas and the joys of childhood.
In chamber performance, Owen has primarily performed with brass quintets and tuba quartets. Along with playing, Owen has arranged multiple pieces for both of these ensembles and has composed original works for tuba quartet. In addition, Owen has arranged piano trios for trumpet, euphonium, and piano in an attempt to stretch the chamber brass repertoire.
As an educator, he has taught both in ensemble and private settings. Through an unrelenting focus on song and artistry in Owen's teaching, his students have been both state and regional honors in Virginia and Texas. In addition to success in honor bands, Owen believes teaching through song and expressiveness to students, even at a young age, will allow their own creativity and passion to guide them on their unique musical journey. In his own educational journey, Owen received his bachelors of music from Virginia Commonwealth University where he was given the Excellence in Musicianship award. Notable teachers of Owen are Dr. Kent Eshelman and Dr. Ross Walter.
Outside of his active musical schedule, Owen enjoys spending his time cooking for his friends, petting every dog he passes, and playing chess.
Mark Hays
Tuba Instructor
Retired from a 22 year career in the Army Bands, Mark has taught Tuba and Euphonium students in Central Texas schools, at his home and the Band Room Music Store for 10 years. His students have filled the top chairs of the Region Bands and Orchestras and competed successfully at Area Band auditions and received outstanding ratings at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble competition.
This year Mark is very excited about returning to a full teaching schedule. He will be teaching students at China Spring, Robinson and Copperas Cove Schools and will continue teaching students and adults at home.
Mark graduated from Waco Richfield High School where he won many honors including Texas All State Band and multiple years of first division ratings at the State Solo competition. A Political Science graduate of Baylor he performed with the Symphonic and Concert Bands and in Chamber ensembles throughout his college career while earning that degree. An early member of the Waco Community Band he served as Band President shortly before joining the Army Band program. In the Army he performed hundreds of times every year with Bands based in Texas, California, Virginia, Korea, Germany and Iraq. Army ensembles included concert bands, brass quintets, Tuba Euphonium quartets, traditional jazz bands, brass bands, big bands and non-traditional ensembles. From 1998-2001 served as US Army Band Liaison to the 5th Recruiting Brigade at Fort Sam Houston, TX , responsible for conducting enlistment auditions in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, and parts of Illinois.
Mark is married to Tina Thompson-Hays a professional Opera and Music Theater Soprano, highly successful voice teacher and French Horn in the Waco Community Band. Tina and Mark live in Woodway, Texas with their dogs Cody & Johann and cat, Amy,
Jacob Thompson
Percussion Instructor