Welcome to Grow Music!
Our mission is to foster personal growth, connection, and belonging through youth-centered musical development while supporting teaching artists with professional development to sustain positive youth outcomes.
Grow Music programming encompasses musical development through individual lessons in violin, viola, and cello as well as group classes in violin, cello, and early childhood music. Our classes are successive and our learners connect to one another through student ensembles like Cello Mafia, Viol Conspiracy, String Mafia, and the annual Nearly Spring Strings Festival. Most recently Grow Music – in partnership with the Missoula County Public Schools, Flagship Program, and with grant support from the Los Angeles Philharmonic – started after-school Strings and Band enrichment classes for 5th graders at Russell Elementary School.
Our mission is to foster personal growth, connection, and belonging through youth-centered musical development while supporting teaching artists with professional development to sustain positive youth outcomes.
Grow Music programming encompasses musical development through individual lessons in violin, viola, and cello as well as group classes in violin, cello, and early childhood music. Our classes are successive and our learners connect to one another through student ensembles like Cello Mafia, Viol Conspiracy, String Mafia, and the annual Nearly Spring Strings Festival. Most recently Grow Music – in partnership with the Missoula County Public Schools, Flagship Program, and with grant support from the Los Angeles Philharmonic – started after-school Strings and Band enrichment classes for 5th graders at Russell Elementary School.
A note from Jessica Catron, founder/director:
Music is my passion, my joy, my muse, 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. I started Grow Music as a way to promote healthy, well-rounded, high-level musical development with an eye toward educational equity for all learners. Our mission also strives to provide support for our teaching artists and mentors through ongoing professional development as well as social opportunities to connect, share ideas, strengthen skills, and uplift one another. I believe strongly that continuous teacher support is necessary for the sustainability of our mission and to keep Grow Music relevant in all things that lead to positive youth outcomes.
At Grow Music we offer both individual lessons and group class opportunities. Individual lessons are excellent for refining technique, building patience and trust in oneself, discipline, and a lifelong relationship with music. Group classes are fun and engaging, they build camaraderie, creativity, friendship, and teach ensemble skills that are essential to any musical path. The sheer joy of making music together promotes socialization, connection, community, and a wonderful sense of belonging. Music making is a natural outlet for creativity, imagination, and self-expression. The practice of learning a musical instrument supports a growth mindset, shapes identity, fuels discipline, focus, and resilience, and connects one's body, mind, and spirit.
Music is my passion, my joy, my muse, 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. I started Grow Music as a way to promote healthy, well-rounded, high-level musical development with an eye toward educational equity for all learners. Our mission also strives to provide support for our teaching artists and mentors through ongoing professional development as well as social opportunities to connect, share ideas, strengthen skills, and uplift one another. I believe strongly that continuous teacher support is necessary for the sustainability of our mission and to keep Grow Music relevant in all things that lead to positive youth outcomes.
At Grow Music we offer both individual lessons and group class opportunities. Individual lessons are excellent for refining technique, building patience and trust in oneself, discipline, and a lifelong relationship with music. Group classes are fun and engaging, they build camaraderie, creativity, friendship, and teach ensemble skills that are essential to any musical path. The sheer joy of making music together promotes socialization, connection, community, and a wonderful sense of belonging. Music making is a natural outlet for creativity, imagination, and self-expression. The practice of learning a musical instrument supports a growth mindset, shapes identity, fuels discipline, focus, and resilience, and connects one's body, mind, and spirit.
Grow Music Teaching Artists:
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Jessica Catron (Grow Music Founder) 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 include touring, performing, and/or recording with a diverse list of artists including Carla Bozulich (Geraldine Fibbers/Evangelista), Nels Cline, Devotchka, The Eels, FUN, Trevor Hall, The Heavy, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Eleni Mandell, Dave Matthews, Tim Meyers (One Republic), Alexi Murdoch, Sheila Nicholls, Linda Ronstadt, Spiritualized, James Tenney, Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney), Steve Vai, the Vitamin String Quartet, VOCO, Wailin' Jennys, Scott Weiland, Emily Wells, The White Buffalo, 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) for an 8-month residency where she created sound installations, experimental performances throughout the museum, created performance art inspired by the museum's collection of Ed Ruscha works, and curated weekly chamber music performances at the museum. She has also 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 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 first 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. During her 8 years at YOLA, she worked regularly with four youth orchestras, string ensembles, conducted youth orchestras, lead fiddle and singing workshops, and had 32 weekly cello students in both group and private lessons. 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 and around Missoula, Jessica can be seen as an occasional member of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra of the Rockies, and Glacier Symphony. In addition to her private teaching studio, she works weekly with the low strings of the Big Sky HS Orchestras and has subbed as a music teacher for Sussex School and MCPS. Jessica co-founded The Receptionists string duo, founded and arranges music for the Cello Brigade, Cello Mafia, String Mafia and Viol Conspiracy, 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 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, snuggling, asking Google random factoids, making tacos, caring for six hens and two cats, sauntering in the woods, floating rivers, primitive skill building, camping, reading bedtime stories, spending time with their 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.
Ariah Mann found a deep love for music from a very early age. At five years old, she began taking violin lessons and continued playing all throughout middle and high school. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in Music Education and Violin Performance from Gonzaga University and is a candidate for a Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from the University of Montana. Ariah served as both principal second violin and then concertmaster for the Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra where she also had the opportunity to perform with world-renowned soloists such as Shlomo Mintz, Gary Karr, Lynn Harrell, Pascal Rogé, and Midori Goto. Ariah moved to Missoula, Montana, to take on a graduate teaching position in the University of Montana’s music department where she now teaches and studies under Dr. Margaret Baldridge, and currently serves as concertmaster for the UM Symphony Orchestra, principal second with the Butte Symphony, and as a section violinist with the Missoula Symphony. Music has always played a crucial role in Ariah’s life. It is her goal as an educator to share this joy and passion with all her students regardless of age, background, or skill-level. It is her belief that music speaks to us in a way that nothing else can, and through it we can find a deeper connection and understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Bayley Ginnaty was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana. It was through the public school system where Ginnaty found the viola. Bayley studied with Jennifer Smith throughout high school and during her time at Charles M. Russell HS, Ginnaty participated in All-State Orchestra, All-Northwest Orchestra, and was a member of the Great Falls Youth Orchestra and Chamber Music Program. Currently, Bayley is a member of the University of Montana Symphony Orchestra, Missoula Symphony Orchestra, Tessitura Trio, and was a winner of UM’s 2021 Concerto/Aria Competition. Serving as the President of the UM Chapter of the American String Teachers Association, Ginnaty believes that studying music leads to not only skillful musicians, but well-rounded and team oriented individuals. She is currently pursuing a degree in Viola Performance under Dr. Margaret Baldridge. Outside of music, Bayley enjoys cooking, gardening, cross stitching, and moseying through farmers markets.
Bethany Joyce is a classically-trained cellist with a history of eclectic musical projects that emphasize her ardor for improvisation. While a music student at the University of Montana School of Fine Arts, she established herself as a member of both the Missoula and Helena Symphonies. Since graduating in 2008, she has continued to play both classically and non-traditionally; composing and performing music for film, dance, theater, and has recorded cello on over 30 studio albums. She has played with bands including Red Onion Purple, Wartime Blues, Stellarondo, Butter, and Maiah Wynne; shared the stage with the Portland Cello Project, and has performed opening sets for the Decemberists, the Devil Makes Three, Bill Callahan, and others. Bethany lives and teaches cello and music theory in Missoula.
Jayla Mitchell currently studies Cello Performance at the UM under Dr. Adam Collins. She began playing the cello at age 10 through Great Falls Public Schools, first starting her private studies with Elizabeth Quinby in 2015 and going on to study under Thaddeus Suits in 2019.Throughout high school, Jayla participated in multiple prestigious orchestras, including four years of Montana All-State Orchestra and one year of All-Northwest Orchestra. She was principal cellist of the Great Falls Youth Orchestra, and worked for a year in the Great Falls Symphony. She is currently a member of the UM Symphony Orchestra, the Tessitura Trio, Missoula Symphony, and sits on the executive board of UM’s ASTA (American String Teachers Association) chapter. Outside of performance, Jayla enjoys baking, crocheting, and spending time with Miso, the house cat.
Kira Lee currently teaches in the Missoula County Public Schools where she directs the Big Sky High School Orchestras and 5th grade Beginning Strings. She performs with the Missoula Symphony, String Orchestra of the Rockies, Bitterroot Baroque, and The Queens & Mr G. Her primary teachers and music education influences include Angella Ahn, Johan Jonsson, Darcy Drexler, and Bernard Zinck. Kira received a Bachelor of Music Education from Montana State University and a Master of Music with an emphasis in String Pedagogy from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education through Boston University. When she’s not teaching, performing, or studying Kira enjoys reading, cooking, skiing, hiking, and camping.
Laura Geier is a violinist, pianist, and music educator. Having developed a passion for Romani (Gypsy) and Balkan music, she lived in Plovdiv, Bulgaria for a year supported by the prestigious Fulbright Grant, and subsequently traveled to Romania, Moldova, Turkey, and Sweden to pursue further studies. Her unique approach to teaching encompasses all styles - Eastern European folk, Romani (Gypsy), traditional classical, and jazz. An MFA recipient of the California Institute of the Arts, Laura studied Balkan music, Alexander Technique, Bulgarian folk singing, jazz improvisation, music transcription, and violin. Prior to CalArts, Laura also received a Masters in Music at Ohio University and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University.
Lydia Garrick is a cellist born and raised in Missoula. She has been playing cello since she fell in love with the instrument in fifth grade. She has had the privilege of playing as first chair in both middle school and high school ensembles including Southside Symphony and Missoula Youth Symphony, and most recently as Principal Cellist of the MT All-State Orchestra. She is currently attending the University of Montana, majoring in pre-pharmacy and minoring in music. She has studied with Jessica for seven years and has enjoyed the musical and personal development opportunities Grow Music Missoula has provided her. In her spare time Lydia enjoys hiking, drawing, and recently, taking advantage of the climbing gym at UM!
Marian Kale has been playing the violin ever since the instrument caught her ear on the radio when she was three years old. A native of Billings, MT, she began her studies with Kathy Griffin and later continued with Mary LaMonaca. Now a pupil of Dr. Margaret Baldridge at the University of Montana, Marian is pursuing degrees in both music education and violin performance. She has extensively studied string pedagogy and has also taken classes in piano, voice, brass, and woodwinds, allowing for versatile instructional methods. Marian has served as a teaching assistant at the UM Summer Music Camp, the Griffin Violin Camp, and the Montana Music Institute, establishing her presence as a young educator who values an empathetic and supportive approach to teaching. Marian is a decorated performer who has been a member of the All Northwest and Montana All State orchestras and has twice won the Montana MTNA solo competition. Currently, she performs with the UM Symphony Orchestra, Missoula Symphony Orchestra, and the Tessitura Trio. In her spare time, Marian enjoys reading, hiking, and baking, and has recently taken up bullet journaling and quilting.
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 started a mentorship program! Meet our first round of exceptional 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 for 2 years. 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 High School's production of CLUE, and can be seen playing in the pit of MATILDA, produced by Missoula Children's Theater, Inc. Most recently, Tayo received the great news of being 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 in 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!
Additional mentor: Autumn Schelvan assists with Cello Mafia and is a natural teacher, creative spirit, and an all-around fantastic person. Autumn has been involved with Grow Music for almost 5 years.