Rachel Donahue
Director & Piano Coach
Rachel's love for music has been present her whole life. Her passion for teaching began in 4th grade. After taking a year of lessons she made it her goal to become a piano teacher some day. Rachel studied at University of Indianapolis and got her first experiences as being a piano teacher. She went on to Butler University and completed a Master's degree in Piano Pedagogy. Her passion for music and specifically teaching continued to grow as she began my own studio. It wasn't long before her schedule was full and she had a waiting list. Rachel's solution to this problem was to create MAJN. Since then she has delighted in her role as not only teacher, but mentor to our teachers on staff. Though her goal is very different from her 4th grade vision, she knows she is doing exactly what she was meant to do! In addition to all things music Rachel loves spending time with her husband and 3 children adventuring (camping, hiking, exploring, climbing, traveling).
Meghan Bartsch
Piano Coach
Meghan is a pianist and teacher with more than 20 years of experience sharing the joy of music with students of all ages and skill levels. A graduate of Butler University, she has called Indiana home since 2015 and currently serves as the Director of Music at a local church. Meghan enjoys teaching and performing in a wide range of styles, including classical and pop genres as well as traditional and contemporary worship music, and strives to help each student grow in confidence, creativity, and musicianship. Outside the studio, she enjoys traveling with her husband, Eric, and recently celebrated the accomplishment of visiting all 50 U.S. states.
Matthew Marshall
Piano Coach
Matthew Marshall graduated from Cedarville University in 2001, with a bachelor’s degree in English, took some music theory classes, and studied with Phyllis Warner, a clinician, lecturer, teacher, pianist, and organist. Further, he has done some personal music study, and has been teaching piano professionally for many years. He performed church concerts and provided music in other ways, recorded/released albums, created and co-created some accompaniment tracks, judged piano, and held membership and served with an Indiana piano teachers’ guild. Having the ability to “play by ear”, yet having learned more of the academic side of music, he has some means for both approaches for a student. Some of his enjoyments can/do include coffee/coffee drinks, coffee shops, traveling, mystery, reading, study, and some history. He has done and does Bible reading/studying, has completed a one year certificate with the Indianapolis Bible Institute, has done related personal study/reading, and serves as part of his church.
Jake Dugan
Guitar, Ukulele & Piano Coach
As a music lover since birth, Jake first picked up the guitar at 12 years old and was immediately hooked. His early days began by playing rock songs by ear and then eventually learning to improvise. This passion for improvisation led to playing with others in bands through high school and beyond. Jake earned a B.S. in Music Technology from IUPUI with a concentration on jazz guitar while performing in small combos, big band and the guitar ensemble. While at university Jake began teaching for the community music school and also learned to play the ukulele and piano. Jake joined Make a Joyful Noise in the summer of 2014 and has been fortunate enough to work with many families in the community. He continues to play around the Indianapolis area as a bandleader in various small group formats, primarily as a jazz bandleader or performing his own original music. When he's not playing music, Jake enjoys spending time with his wife and young daughter. They love to travel, try new food and attend as many concerts as they can.
Christianna Lopez
Piano Coach
Christianna grew up with a fascination of music and enjoyed singing in choirs and taking voice lessons throughout middle and high school. She entered college undecided about where she wanted to take her life but quickly realized that music was where her true passion was. She studied voice and piano at the University of Indianapolis where she received a Bachelors of Science in Music with a concentration in Recording and Technology in 2019. During her time there, Christianna expanded her understanding of music theory, tried out new styles of singing in the jazz choir, and fell in love with the study of music history. For her senior internship she worked as assistant manager of the university’s performance hall and developed a passion for live music production. She also wrote and recorded her own music as a part of her tech and recording concentration and fell in love with the process of creating music out of nothing. Christianna began teaching with Make A Joyful Noise in the fall of 2019. Outside of teaching she enjoys exploring local parks, discovering the newest coffee shop, and trying new dinner recipes.
Becoming music literate changed the way Christianna created, appreciated, and interacted across multiple genres of music. Because reading music and understanding theory seemed intimidating for such a large amount of my life, she is dedicated to making music more accessible to students of all ages.
Jacy Cina
Piano & Harp Coach
Jacy’s love for music started at age five when she began taking piano lessons from her next-door neighbor. Weekly lessons were a steady source of encouragement, growth, and joy throughout her childhood. Seeing a concert harp in person for the first time sparked Jacy’s interest in learning a second instrument, and she began harp lessons at age fifteen. She studied harp, piano pedagogy, and psychology at Cedarville University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 2021.
In addition to sharing music with others through teaching, Jacy enjoys providing harp music for weddings and other special events. She has had the pleasure of performing with the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, Kokomo Symphony Orchestra, and various chamber ensembles. Outside of music, Jacy enjoys reading, gardening, thrift shopping, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Eric Clevenger
Violin, Viola, Cello, & Piano Coach
COMING SOON!
Chris Kuhne
Piano & Guitar Coach
COMING SOON!
Joanna Byrd
Piano Coach
Joanna has been playing the piano since she was 4 years old, picking out a theme song to a movie by ear on the piano. She composed music and have performed as accompanist at age 14 for high school chorus, played piano in jazz band in high school, and provided background piano music for awards banquets. She played keyboard in a grunge garage band in the 90’s. Joanna also plays electric piano in TWO all-lady rock cover bands. She plays a wide range of genres including: classical, broadway show tunes, rock, and some jazz and blues. Joanna is also composing a Broadway musical: “Little Byrdie Jo!” She says "Looking back on my track record seems impressive, but none of it would be possible without the hours of unseen practice before all the recitals and performances." She firmly believes that your craft yields what you put into it. The old adage is so true: Practice makes Perfect. She loves to learn and grow in her art and share her knowledge with others.
Lily Marrs
Piano Coach
Lily has been a lover of music for as long as she can remember. She started taking piano lessons with Rachel Donahue through Make a Joyful Noise when she was in third grade, and continued to take lessons as she grew up for both guitar and voice with more Make a Joyful Noise teachers! Currently, Lily studies at Butler University as a Psychology major and Music minor. She also earned a certificate in music composition through Berklee College of Music. She is very interested in the therapeutic properties of music, in the sense that music can be healing and relaxing to all who might need it. One of Lily's favorite things to do outside of music is baking, and she wants to open her own bakery one day. Lily has been very interested in baking sourdough recently, but has tried out baking a variety of sweet treats throughout the last few years, including decorating birthday cakes for her friends and family! Lily believes in creating a happy, friendly, enjoyable, and productive learning environment, and looks forward to all students whom she can accomplish this with.
Addie Toon
Administrative Assistant