Our Teachers and Studios

Smiling elderly woman wearing glasses and a pearl necklace.

Nancy Cree, Iowa City

Nancy started teaching in 1974 after studying music education at the University of Iowa...

Nancy started teaching in 1974 after studying music education at the University of Iowa. From those first students taught in the living room piano, to her own innovative teaching studio, to the establishment of the Nancy Cree Keyboard Learning Centers in 1989, and leadership in the field of keyboard music instruction; Nancy has effectively combined the joy and excitement of keyboard music with a solid foundation in music fundamentals.

Over the years, Nancy has conducted workshops on the integration of technology into traditional piano teaching, and good studio business practices on the local and state level. In 1988, she created a videotape and wrote an article for Clavier magazine on the use of technology and was featured in the technology section of the fall 1999 Iowa Music Teacher magazine.

Nancy is active in her local Iowa Music Teachers Association (IMTA) district Festival and Auditions. She judges for festival and auditions around the state and has been the chair for the East Central IMTA Piano festival for many years.

Beyond her teaching and supervisory work, Nancy has a large family and loves to spend time with her husband, Stephen, and their seven grandchildren – and she always has a book with her so she can indulge in her favorite hobby whenever time allows.

Contact:

Nancy Cree
Phone: 319-321-1651
nancy@nancycree.com
Address: 719 North Johnson Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52245

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Tina Chapman, Coralville

Tina Chapman is our most senior teacher. She joined our program in 1990...

Tina Chapman is our most senior teacher. She joined our program in 1990 and has been working with West Music since 1982. She also supervised our Sing, Play, Keys classes with the early childhood program.
Tina is also in charge of the billing for our locations as well as her teaching responsibilities.

Tina studied music education at Simpson College. She has performed for years playing keyboard in several bands and playing and singing for many weddings. Tina has also arranged many ensemble music pieces for our centers. Before joining us, she worked with West Music for eight years doing everything from working the sales floor, to managing the teaching studios, to teaching many group organ and keyboard lessons. Her years of service for West Music earned her the 2002 Pearl J. West award for outstanding work and dedication to the music education field.

She has also served as the president for our East Central IMTA (Iowa Music Teachers Association) Local Association. She also judges for many IMTA festivals and auditions.

In her spare time she enjoys playing for weddings, reading and spending time with her family and friends.

Contact:

Coralville Studios
Phone: 319-351-2000
VM EXT:1394
tchapman@westmusic.com
Address: 1212 5th Ave.
Coralville, Iowa 52241

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Allison Chenoweth, Marion

Allison is originally from Ottumwa, Iowa where she was active in band...

Allison is originally from Ottumwa, Iowa where she was active in band, orchestra, choir, jazz band, and piano from a young age. In the summer of 1996, she toured Europe with Iowa's Ambassadors of Music, playing clarinet in the band. After high school, she attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa where she earned a Bachelor's degree in both Music and Anthropology in 2002.

While at Cornell, Allison participated in band, choir, and also joined Pandemonium, the steel drum ensemble. She also discovered a new love for music from around the world, and immediately following graduation, moved to Chicago to attend the University of Chicago. There She worked with Dr. Philip Bohlman and earned a Master of Arts degree in Humanities focusing on the field of ethnomusicology and studying the development of steel pan bands in the Chicago area. Following her 2003 graduation, Allison moved to the northern Chicago suburbs, where she taught at McHenry County College and rented space to teach piano. Allison returned to the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area in 2004. In 2005, she began teaching at West Music in the Nancy Cree Keyboard Learning Center program.

In her spare time, Allison enjoys reading and tries to keep up with the latest developments in the world of ethnomusicology. She enjoys finding piano music that focuses on the music of other countries and teaching her students about it.

Allison is involved in the local chapter of the Iowa Music Teachers Association State Board. She frequently chairs local IMTA piano festivals and auditions.

Contact:

Allison Chenoweth
Phone: 319-377-9100 VM EXT:521
achenoweth@westmusic.com
Address: 1398 Twixt Town Rd.
Marion, IA 52302

Nicole Williams is our newest addition to the Nancy Cree Keyboard Learning Centers team. Nicole has a profound love for music and teaching and is an accomplished educator with West Music’s early childhood program, Sing, Play, Learn. Nicole will also be teaching our Sing, Play, Keys class starting this fall.

Nicole grew up in the charming town of Burlington, Iowa where her love for music began at an early age. She engaged in various musical pursuits, including band, choir, jazz band and piano. Following high school Nicole began her studies at the University of Iowa, with a primary focus on music education, special education, and early childhood education. She also received a scholarship to study the organ at the University of Iowa.

Before joining the West Music team, Nicole held the position of Music and Tech Director at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, IA. During her time there, she led various music groups and managed the technology team, as well as organizing events with the children and youth at the church.

Nicole has also been teaching piano privately for three years in the Iowa City area and one year in the Burlington area.

In her spare time Nicole enjoys the great outdoors and cherishing moments with her family.

Contact:

Nicole Williams
Phone: 319-351-2000 VM EXT:1049
nwilliams@westmusic.com
Address: 1212 5th Avenue.
Coralville, IA 52241