Harris Academy of the Arts proudly introduces three new music instructors into the studio: Mai Butler, Elizabeth Grunin, and Josh Huls.

Starting piano at age six in her birthplace of Miyazaki, Japan, Dr. Mai Butler earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music from Northwest Missouri State University under the tutelage of Dr. Earnest Kramer.  Mai went on to work with Dr. Christopher Fisher at Ohio University, where she received her Master’s Degree in Piano Performance. During her time at Ohio University, she won the Ohio University Concerto Competition and served as the featured piano soloist with the Ohio University Orchestra. Mai achieved second place in the Ohio Graves Young Artist Piano Competition. Dr. Butler teaches piano to all ages and levels.

Elizabeth Grunin previously served as an active member of the Sacramento and Bay Area musical communities. She has performed with several symphonies, including Camellia Symphony, San Francisco Youth Symphony, Merced Symphony, and the North Bay Opera Orchestra. She also performed regular solo recitals in Sacramento.
She holds a Masters of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied in the studio of Jennifer Culp.  Grunin also holds a faculty position at Union College in Lincoln.  Currently, Grunin is working on her doctoral degree in the studio of Dr. Karen Becker at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and also recently became a full time member of the Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra.  She instructs cello for varied ages and skill levels.

Josh Huls is originally from Grand Island, NE. He graduated with a degree in Music Education from University of Nebraska – Lincoln, and has experience in teaching and performing with a variety of styles in group such as University Singers, Bathtub Dogs, Big Red Singers, and many more. Along with those experiences, he also has a strong background in musical theater.  Huls also has a great knowledge of music theory and composition, and is able to incorporate both classical training and popular repertoire into his lessons.  He teaches piano, voice, and percussion for all ages and levels of students.

For more information about Harris Academy of the Arts, call (402) 423-7121 or visit harrisacademyofthearts.com.