Regent Square Woman Helps Students on Musical Path

Autumn Kunselman is helping children discover the magic of music through a position in admissions and outreach at the Center for Young Musicians in Wexford.

Kunselman of Regent Square helps the school with long-term goals, concert schedules and more in addition to sitting down with families as students begin their musical journeys.

“It’s an all-encompassing, long-term music program for any student who is interested,” she said. “There are different levels but we focus on classical string instruments and piano, starting as young as four.”

Students at the Center for Young Musicians learn music as a second language. The program based on the principles of the as well as the American Legends Program, which means students who don’t necessarily want to do classical music start out playing a recorder and learn pitch and notation.

“They learn to be confident and own it before they even pick up an instrument,” she said.

For those in the American Legends Program, the goals are individual.

“The goal is for them to read and write their own music and they can dabble in piano and guitar,” she said. “It has something for everyone and really hones in on each kid.”

Originally from Punxsutawney, Kunselman also is a jazz singer. She attended Clarion University, where she majored in music business, which was phased out program when she was a sophomore. She then took some music education classes, along with Ryan Hadbavny, her boyfriend, who also lives in Regent Square with her.

“We both wanted careers in the arts and I just happened upon an administrator job at the center and worked my way up,” she said.

Kunselman said she enjoys the different aspects of her job at the center and her ability to tie in her own love of music.

“With every family who walks through the door, I get to talk to them about their goals, their dreams and what they want to do,” Kunselman said. “I get to hear how excited and jazzed up they are about becoming a musician. It makes it really rewarding and I am lucky to be with an incredible faculty and staff. They are incredible artists and people. I like that sense of community.”

For more information, visit http://www.youngmusicians.org/.