Johansen Piano Studio

Melissa began her piano study in 1980 with Linda Wiles.  During her pre-college years she won many competitions throughout the southwest including the Padewerski Guild Medal, National Piano Guild High School Diploma and various awards through the Arizona Music Teachers Association. In addition to her own studies, Melissa began teaching young piano students in 1992 under the watchful eye of Linda Wiles. She served as a student-teacher in the Wiles Piano Studio – creating lesson plans, teaching beginning students, researching various methodologies, analyzing current teaching method books and entering students into local events. 

 

In 1994, Melissa attended Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma on a piano and vocal scholarship. Melissa earned a Bachelor’s of Music Education Degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1998.  While attending OBU, Melissa studied voice under Dr Don Clark,  piano under Sandra Meyers and Dr Carol Bell, served as the accompanist for the Bison Glee Club, rang bells in the University Ringers and was an accompanist for many vocalists and instrumentalists.  

 

Melissa taught K-6 general music for 5 years at Westfall Elementary in Choctaw, OK. During that time, she also studied teaching techniques through Jim Faye’s Love and Logic program, instructed for the Great Expectations professional develop program for teachers and school administrators and earned her Level 1 Orff Certification.  While at Westfall Elementary Melissa began a 40-voice honor choir for 4th-6th grade students and produced 7 school music programs annually.

 

The Johansen Piano Studio was established in the Fall of 1999 and it has been her full-time job since the fall of 2003. The studio began with a total of 6 students in the Fall of 1999 and steadily climbed to 15. In the Spring of 2010 Melissa and her family moved to a new home in the NW portion of OKC. The move proved to be ideal for JPS. The studio membership jumped to 30 students within 6 months. Students are provided with private lessons, group lessons, performance classes, studio recitals and many other adjudicated performance opportunities. 

 

Melissa is currently a member of the Music Teachers National Association, Oklahoma’s Music Teachers Association, the local organization COMTA , American College of Musicians in the Teacher’s Division and the Organization of American Kodaly Educators .  In the summer of 2009 Melissa earned the title of a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music through MTNA. She served as the State Independent Music Teacher Forum Liaison for OMTA for 2008-2010, where she focused much of her time on improving the consistency of adjudication for state and local events. She served as the VP of Membership for COMTA from 2008-2012 and then as President of COMTA from 2012-2015 and 2017-2018. Melissa currently serves as the VP-Membership for COMTA, chair of the COMTA Solo & Ensemble Festival and as the Administrator for COMTA’s Kamp Keyboard.

 

In addition to her private piano studio Melissa, is the music teacher for Spring Creek Mother's Day Out program. She teaches bi-weekly classes to children 15months - Pre K. Melissa is also the Children's Music Director and the pianist at Spring Creek. Additionally, Melissa has served as the accompanist for the Deer Creek Choirs since 2017.

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Melissa and her husband, Andrew, have been married since Dec 31, 1997. They met their freshman year at Oklahoma Baptist University. Andrew works for Forward In Technology as the Executive IT Services Manager.  They have two children, Emma (2003) and Carter (2005). Emma is a student at William Jewell College as a double major in Vocal Performance and Non-Profit Leadership.. Carter is a student at Deer Creek High School and participates in the drama program, band, and the jazz choir. They also have a wonderful puppy, Leia, who is loved by all of the piano students as well.