My name is Anna Townsend and I am so excited to teach music at the ResLife Home School Program!
Currently, I teach as a private violin and viola instructor at the Academy of Music in Grand Rapids, where I have 10 students. I have been married to my husband, Jason for 10 years, and we have 3 beautiful children ages 6 (Isla), 5 (Anders) and 3 (Luken), who we homeschool.
My background in music is quite diverse. I began playing the violin at age 4, and since then, have learned to play the piano, ukulele, guitar and quite a few other instruments. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, as well as a Leadership Minor, which I obtained from Central Michigan University in 2009. I taught in Kentwood Public Schools for 5 years, where I was a middle school orchestra director, elementary general music teacher, and assistant to the high school ABC Orchestra, (Anything But Classical) which is an alternative styles string performance group. I have also taught private lessons for about 20 years.
My performance background and musical training is in classical music, as well as alternative styles such as fiddling, rock and jazz. I have played in the Midland, Alma, Holland and Traverse City Symphonies, as well as having the honor of being concertmaster of the Central Michigan University Symphony. I began my fiddling journey when I joined my dad’s country style band when I was age 10. I also was a part of a country rock band for 4 years that opened for artists Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker and Jamie Johnson. I have also had the honor of being a guest musician in the back up orchestra’s for Josh Groban and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Throughout my musical journey, I have learned that teaching is one of my favorite things to do. I love to help my students gain a sense of accomplishment through music, and discover that music is always something that brings joy