Welcome to Grow Music! Our mission is to foster personal growth and belonging through youth-centered musical development.
We envision a future where high-quality, personalized music education is accessible to individuals of all backgrounds and abilities, regardless of financial circumstances. We envision students and teaching artists who are engaged in making music together and audiences who are energized by their experiences. Our students will be empowered to find their own voice, develop lasting relationships, embrace learning, and give back to their communities.
Since 2015, Grow Music has been nurturing musical development through group classes in violin, viola, cello, as well as early childhood music enrichment classes. Our classes are designed to adapt to each learner's pace, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience. For advanced students, we offer opportunities to connect and collaborate in ensembles like Cello Mafia, String Mafia, Summer Intensives, and Chamber Music groups.
Since 2022, we have had the honor of being named a "Partner in Music Learning," a prestigious regranting initiative by YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. This program supports organizations across select regions in the U.S., aiming to unite, galvanize, and advance creative youth development. With this grant, we launched the "Crescendo Club," in partnership with Missoula County Public Schools. Through this initiative, we provide two professional string teaching artists on a weekly basis to work with the 6th grade Orchestra students at C.S. Porter Middle School, completely free of charge to the students and the school.
Under the banner of "Grow Music Presents," our live music series promotes personal growth through student-centered performances and community engagement. We celebrate our students' progress with two studio-wide recitals each year and actively seek out other exciting performance opportunities. Grow Music events are always free, welcoming everyone to experience the joy of music.
A note from Jessica:
Music is my passion, my joy, and my solace. As both a performer and an educator, it is my honor to share what I've learned and all that inspires me about music. Grow Music was created to foster high-level musical development and equity for all learners.
At Grow Music, we offer individual lessons for refining technique, building discipline, self-confidence, and a lifelong relationship with music. Our group classes are fun and engaging, they build camaraderie, creativity, friendship, and teach teamwork skills that are essential to any career path. Making music together enhances socialization, community, and belonging, serving as a natural outlet for creativity and self-expression. Learning an instrument cultivates a growth mindset and resilience while connecting mind, body, and spirit.
Grow Music Teaching Artists:
Jessica Catron (Founder, Director) spent the first part of her professional life in Los Angeles where she worked as a freelance performing artist and educator. Some of her musical adventures have included touring, performing, and/or recording with artists including Carla Bozulich, Nels Cline, Devotchka, The Eels, FUN, Trevor Hall, The Heavy, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Eleni Mandell, Dave Matthews, Sheila Nicholls, Linda Ronstadt, Spiritualized, James Tenney, Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney), Steve Vai, Vitamin String Quartet, Portland Cello Project, Moira Smiley & VOCO, Wailin' Jennys, Scott Weiland, Emily Wells, and Wilco. Jessica has appeared on The Tonight Show, The Late Late Show, the NBC Music Video Awards, Coachella Music Festival, KPFK's Global Village, KUSC's Arts Alive, and has been a soloist for feature films Mean Creek, The Strangers, The Covenant, and Levity. As a sound artist, Jessica was the first distinguished musical-artist-in-residence at the UCLA Hammer Museum (Los Angeles) where she created sound installations, experimental performances, performance art inspired by the museum's collection of Ed Ruscha works, and curated weekly chamber music performances at the museum. She has worked as a collaborator, performer, and/or music director with exceptional visual artists, composers, and performance artists such as Harold Budd, Vinny Golia, Mike Kelley, Pauline Oliveros, Stephen Prina, Susan Silton, and James Tenney. Jessica is grateful to have studied cello with Joanna de Keyser, Eugene Friesen, Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick, Elizabeth Benusis, Joan Jenrenaud, Natalie Haas, and Rushad Eggelston.
As a teaching artist, Jessica was the cello mentor for YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) - an El Sistema-inspired partnership of the Harmony Project and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, led by Maestro Gustavo Dudamel. Her students have had the fortune of sitting beside LA Phil musicians in concert, backing up Stevie Wonder, Journey, and The Black Eyed Peas, performing with Grace Potter and Sharon Stone on the Tonight Show, playing chamber music for Condoleeza Rice, and traveling to the White House to play for Michelle Obama, Alisa Weilerstein, and Joshua Bell. Additionally, Jessica has lead music workshops at the University of Auckland (NZ), Universidad de Bogota (Columbia), Western Front (Vancouver, BC), University of Nebraska, Cornish College (Seattle), University of New Mexico, Lake Tahoe Unified Schools, Port Chester School District (NY), Community Music Works (RI), and the California State Summer School for the Arts.
In Missoula, Jessica can be seen as an occasional member of the String Orchestra of the Rockies. In addition to her private teaching studio, she works weekly with the low strings of the Big Sky HS Orchestras and Hellgate HS Orchestras. Jessica co-founded The Receptionists string ensemble and writes music and sings with her avant-folk band Missincinatti. In the summer of 2018, she was chosen as Open Air's sound-artist-in-residence at the Rattlesnake Creek Dam, spending 6-weeks creating a place-based composition from field recordings made in and around the now demolished historic location. In 2021-22 she was one of four artists-in-residence for "New Songs for Butte Mining Camp" through the Montana Cultural Trust Grant and in partnership with the Silver Bow Archives in Butte, MT. Outside of music, Jessica is raising two amazing young people with her sweetie, Jeremy. They enjoy family game nights, traveling, making tacos, composting, caring for six hens and two cats, sauntering in the woods, floating rivers, primitive skill building, camping, reading bedtime stories, spending time with extended family, and giving group hugs.
Anna Walter-Grussling has been studying the violin and piano since she was 5 years old. She continued with her violin studies at the University of Montana under Margaret Baldridge, and graduated with a degree in Elementary and Special Education. She has been an active substitute in the Missoula Symphony since her junior year in High School. Anna was a participant in the Suzuki Institute for 13 consecutive years and has studied under Missoula violin teachers Heidi Martin, Beth Youngblood, Madeleine McKelvey, and Molly Morrison on piano. She currently has a home violin studio with students ages 5 to 15. In addition to music, Anna currently teaches Special Education at Bonner Elementary and works as a dance instructor with the Carroll-Henderson School of Irish Dance. Anna strives to make learning fun, while also maintaining an atmosphere that facilitates learning and reaching goals. Anna is Grow Music's lead teacher for all things violin. She currently runs all group fiddle classes, as well as directing Viol Conspiracy and assisting with String Mafia.
2023-24 Grow Music Mentors:
With the generous support of the "Partners in Music" regranting initiative of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles), Grow Music has a mentorship program! Meet our exceptional mentors (past and present):
Matt Auge just turned 16 and is a Sophomore at Sentinel High School in Missoula. He has been playing the viola since he was 11 and currently takes lessons with Amelia Thornton Sears. He enjoys downhill skiing at our local ski resort and spending time outdoors in the summer. When Matt is not attending school or hanging out with friends, you can find him scooping ice cream and making crepes at Tea and Crepe Missoula.
Hello! My name is Noah Everett and my main instrument is the cello. I am a senior in high school at Big Sky High School. I plan on staying in town after I graduate and attending either the University of Montana or Missoula College. Some of my other hobbies include messing around on piano, baking, speech and debate, and I love to sing. I have enjoyed this mentor experience more than I ever thought I could and I am so glad that I could bring my love of performance to a whole new, awesome group of kids.
My name is Raine Artricia Weaselhead. I've been playing the cello for around eight years and have been developing an ongoing passion for teaching music. I am an aspiring bassist, as well! I am currently a senior at Hellgate HS. When I enter college, I plan to aim for my Bachelor's of Music Education, and either get a Master's in Music Theory, Composition, OR Music Psychology at the UM. Until then, I plan to improve my String Orchestra Pedagogy and Teaching Assistant-ship, specializing in string orchestra instruction, as I work alongside various individuals and opportunities I have been met with throughout the years. I am a Section Sub Cellist at the Missoula Symphony Orchestra, and am a member of the Missoula Youth Symphony. Every week, I try to Student Teach/Coach at CS Porter MS. Music is my entire life's passion, and as time moves onward it shall only grow more, which I await for eagerly. Outside of music and teaching, I enjoy writing, baking, and exploring the outdoors!
Casper Gilder is a freshman at Hellgate HS. Casper is currently assisting both Anna and Marian with their group violin classes!
2022-23 Mentors:
Evan Lofink is a cellist and senior at Hellgate High School. After beginning cello in 5th grade, they first got involved with Grow Music by joining the Cello Mafia, a group which they now mentor in. In the years since then, Evan has played in multiple music groups, including the Hellgate Orchestra, Missoula Youth Symphony, and a student ensemble which they arrange for. Upon entering college next year, they are ecstatic to pursue cello in a new environment. In addition to cello, Evan also enjoys exploring music through learning piano, kalimba, and electronic production. Beyond music, Evan is a cross-country runner, mathematics enthusiast, and aspiring artist.
Jatayo Jones began playing cello and taking lessons in 5th grade. He loved music from the get-go and has been a steadfast, rising star ever since! Tayo has been section leader in both MYO & MYS and has auditioned into the cello section of the MT All-State Orchestra. He joined the Cello Mafia 6 years ago and has been a wonderful addition to the group since. Tayo's love and enthusiasm for the ensemble and the music has always been obvious and he very naturally transitioned from learner to leader. Tayo has been a mentor with Cello Mafia for the last 2 years and has been a great support to the entire group. His creativity, love, and community-minded approach to the arts doesn't stop there - Jatayo really enjoys theater! He recently finished stage directing for Sentinel HS production of CLUE, and can be seen playing in the pit of MATILDA, produced by Missoula Children's Theater. Most recently, Tayo was offered a full-tuition scholarship to attend music school at the University of Montana! He will be attending this Fall and studying cello with Dr. Adam Collins at the UM School of Music.
Josie Allred has been playing the violin since 5th grade and is currently 17 and a Junior at Sentinel High School. Josie loves to climb, backpack, and fold paper cranes. She is so excited to mentor with Anna as they work with all the group violin students!
Autumn Schelvan assists with Cello Mafia and is a natural teacher, kind and creative spirit, and an all-around fantastic person. Autumn has been involved with Grow Music for almost 5 years.