Teachers

Lauren Sonder

Lauren Sonder teaches Sondermusic's PianoPlus! and theory/composition/songwriting lessons, as well as the Irish set dancing class. She received her Bachelors of Music from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1999, where she first studied piano and then majored in music history. She is currently finishing her Masters of Music degree in composition at the University of Oklahoma School of Music, where she has studied with Marvin Lamb and Roland Barrett. Lauren began teaching piano in 1993 and has held piano studios in both Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. She plays with the University of Oklahoma New Improv! Century Ensemble and frequently collaborates with modern dance choreographer Shannon Cuykendall, who leads Sondermusic's creative movement workshops.

Steven Eiler

Steven Eiler teaches guitar at Sondermusic. He is a senior at the University of Oklahoma where he is majoring in composition. A prolific songwriter, Steven recently composed a thirty-minute song cycle on the topic of bugs, as well as a rock opera. He has studied guitar with Randy Wimer and composition with Marvin Lamb. Steven performs locally as a guitarist/singer/songwriter, both solo and with his band, The Imaginary Orchestra.

Shannon Cuykendall

Shannon Cuykendall leads Sondermusic's creative movement workshops, for students ages 5-7. She received her Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Ballet Pedagogy from University of Oklahoma School of Dance in 2006. There she received a broad range of training, studying under Director Mary Margaret Holt (formerly with San-Fransico Ballet, New York City Ballet, and Houston Ballet), Denise Vale (formerly with Martha Graham Company) and Austin Hartel (formerly with Pilobolus Dance Company). Shannon has also trained at Tulsa Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Nutmeg Ballet. In the summer of 2006, Shannon worked with Burklyn Ballet Theatre in Vermont as resident choreographer. She currently teaches and choreographs at Fort Wayne Ballet in Indiana and was recently invited by Perpetual Motion to choreograph for the 2008 Oklahoma Contemporary Dance Festival.


Interested in teaching at Sondermusic? We are currently seeking progressive, experienced teachers for private instrumental lessons, as well as arts workshop leaders and dance instructors. Please contact us for more information.