About Grow Music

Welcome to Grow Music Missoula!

Mission
Our mission is to foster personal growth and belonging through youth-centered music education.

Culture
We believe that music education has the power to transform lives. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where every student can thrive. We are committed to eliminating barriers that may hinder one's ability to learn, create, and perform music. We aim to establish a space where diversity is celebrated, collaboration is encouraged, and the joy of music can be shared by all.

Vision
We envision a future where high-quality, personalized music education is available to people of all backgrounds and abilities. We envision students and teaching artists who are engaged in creating 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 contribute to their communities.

What We Offer
Grow Music, established in 2015, has been cultivating musical growth through group classes in violin, viola, cello, and early childhood music. Our classes are tailored to accommodate the pace of each learner, ensuring that both beginners and advanced students thrive. Our mentorship program empowers advanced students to connect with the community, develop leadership skills, and gain valuable insights into effective teaching practices.

With support from the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Partners in Music initiative, "Crescendo Club," our youngest program, enriches the learning experiences of 5th and 6th grade orchestra members in the public schools. String clinicians are introduced into the schools on a weekly basis to help create a deeper understanding and appreciation of music among the participants.

Our live music series, "Grow Music Presents," at the Missoula Public Library, fosters personal growth through student-centered performances and collaborations with professional artists. We organize two studio-wide recitals annually and actively pursue engaging performance opportunities throughout the year. Grow Music events are always free to attend.

Grow Music Teaching Artists:

photo: KC Lostetter

Jessica Catron (Founder/Director/Lead Teaching Artist) spent the first part of her professional life in Los Angeles where she worked as a freelance cellist and educator. Her musical adventures have included touring, performing, and/or recording with artists including Carla Bozulich, Nels Cline, Devotchka, The Eels, FUN, Trevor Hall, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Dave Matthews, Sheila Nicholls, Linda Ronstadt, Spiritualized, Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney), Steve Vai, Vitamin String Quartet, Portland Cello Project, VOCO, Wailin' Jennys, Scott Weiland, and Wilco. Jessica has appeared on The Tonight Show, The Late Late Show, NBC Music Video Awards, Coachella Music Festival, and has been a soloist for feature films Mean Creek, The Strangers, The Covenant, and Levity. As a sound artist, Jessica was the first Sound-Artist-in-Residence at the UCLA Hammer Museum creating sound installations and performances inspired by the museum's collection of Ed Ruscha works. She has worked as a collaborator with 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 fortunate to have studied with Joanna de Keyser, Eugene Friesen, Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick, Elizabeth Benusis, Joan Jenrenaud, Natalie Haas, and Rushad Eggelston.

As an educator, Jessica was the first Lead Teaching Artist of Cello for YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles), a partnership of the Harmony Project and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Her students have had the fortune of sitting beside LA Phil musicians, backing up Stevie Wonder, Journey, The Black Eyed Peas, performing with Grace Potter and Sharon Stone on the Tonight Show, playing the Super Bowl Half-time Show with Beyonce, Coldplay, and Bruno Mars, 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 - Omaha, Cornish College, University of New Mexico, Lake Tahoe Unified, Port Chester (NY), Community Music Works (RI), and the California State Summer School for the Arts.

In Missoula, Jessica can be seen as a member of the String Orchestra of the Rockies, she's co-founder of The Receptionists string ensemble, and occasionally performs with her avant-folk band Missincinatti. She's participated in Open Air's Artist Residency, and in 2021-22 she was a Sound-Artist-In-Residence for "New Songs for Butte Mining Camp" funded through the Montana Cultural Trust Grant. Outside of music, Jessica is raising two amazing young people with her sweetie, Jeremy. They enjoy family game nights, making tacos, caring for hens and cats, sauntering the woods, floating rivers, primitive skill-building, reading bedtime stories, spending time with extended family, and giving group hugs.

Anna Walter-Grussling (Lead Teaching Artist of Upper Strings) 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 is a Special Education Specialist and Consultant 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.

Additional Teaching Artists:

Maren Elliott is a student at the University of Montana and is currently pursuing a degree in violin performance. She has been playing the violin since she was five. Maren has performed with many ensembles throughout the state including the Missoula Symphony and the Helena Symphony. She is passionate about music and excited to share the joy of music with others. In her free time, Maren enjoys reading, crafting, and going for walks.

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 and a recent graduate of the University of Montana with a bachelor's degree in music education, she is an active performer and educator in the community, serving Missoula County Public Schools, the University of Montana’s Summer Music Camps, and the Ironhorse Consortium for Young Musicians. Marian performs regularly with the Missoula Symphony and the Tessitura Trio, and is passionate about working with local nonprofits and community organizations to increase equitable access to music education. In her spare time, Marian enjoys reading and hiking, and has recently taken up bullet-journaling and quilting.

Gabe Kantor is in his fourth year at the University of Montana studying violin performance and wildlife biology. Born and raised in Missoula, he started playing violin at 10 years old and has studied with Rachel Petite, Madeline McKelvey, Tim Kantor, and is currently studying with Dr. Margaret Baldridge. He is a part of the Missoula Symphony and the University of Montana Symphony Orchestra, as well as various chamber groups and the UM Roots Ensemble. When not playing music Gabe can be found skiing, climbing, mountain biking and riding his triple tandem bike named Frank with his friends.

Neveah Killsnight is currently studying viola performance at the University of Montana in Missoula. She has been playing viola for 9 years. In her career, she has performed with ensembles throughout Montana and the Northwest region, including the Billings Symphony and Missoula Symphony. She is an enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe and graduated from Billings Senior High in 2023. In her free time, she enjoys beading, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.

Jayla Mitchell has a B.M. from the University of Montana where she studied cello performance with Dr. Adam Collins. She is currently a cellist in the Missoula Symphony Orchestra and has also performed in the orchestra pits of Bright Star, Matilda, She Loves Me, and Sound of Music, and as a section cellist with the Helena, Great Falls, and Butte Symphonies. Jayla enjoys success as a soloist and in competitions. In 2024, she won UM’s Concerto-Aria Competition and in 2023, she won the Young Artist division of Montana’s MTNA competition. In previous years, she has been named a finalist in the Montana Association of Symphony Orchestras competition and performed as a soloist on Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major with the Great Falls Symphony. She is an enthusiastic teacher and in addition to her private studio, Jayla teaches group classes through Grow Music and was the president of UM’s American String Teacher Association.
In her free time, Jayla enjoys hiking, crocheting, and taking her cat, Winston, for strolls around town.

Grow Music Mentorship Program:

With generous support from the LA Phil's "Partners in Music" regranting initiative, Grow Music has a mentorship program!
Mentorship participants collaborate with lead teaching artists in group classes, assist with performances and our concert series, and gain insights into best teaching practices. They engage in monthly meet-ups to share successes, discuss challenges, set goals, ask questions, and provide valuable youth perspectives to enrich our programming.

2024-25 Mentors:

My name is Adelaide Terwilliger. I am a sophomore at Hellgate High School and have been playing the cello for 8 years. I really enjoy playing the cello and connecting with people through music. I played with Missoula Youth Symphony and All-State Orchestra last year and will get to do that again this year. I attended the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) National Festival in 2023, which was a really cool experience. I run cross country, nordic ski with the Ice Badgers, and play tennis! I also love to read books and go on outdoor adventures with friends and family in my free time.

Hi! I’m Ayva Ranstrom! I am 16 years old and am a junior at Sentinel High School! I’ve been playing viola for about 7 years! I am also in Missoula Youth Symphony! I have been a coach with Missoula Figuring Skating Club for 4 years and a camp counselor for the Missoula String Camp!

Hi! I’m Matt Auge, I’m 17 years old and I go to Sentinel High School. I primarily play viola and participate in many different music festivals and programs. My most prized experience would be playing in the 2024 YOLA National Festival over the summer. In my free time I enjoy doing anything outside.