Although everyone may not be aware, there has been an addition to the music staff at St. Robert this year. Mr. Drew Donica has joined the group of musical experts teaching at school as the new piano teacher.    

Mr. Donica has played piano for 19 years. “Piano is the instrument I fell in love with as a child,” he explains. In those 19 years, he has taught piano at several different locations over the course of time. St. Robert is the fourth institution he has taught at so far. “I took the job because I was so excited to work alongside so many good educators and inspiring students,” Donica notes.

Previously, Mr. Donica taught at the Parlando School of Music while studying at the University of Colorado Boulder – many states away from his current home. He has also taught at the Laurence Academy of Music in Appleton, WI, and he still currently teaches at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Clearly, this new piano teacher is an expert in his field, judging by the many prestigious music institutions he has worked for.

Surprisingly, the amount of students taking advantage of this fantastic expert at St. Robert is relatively small, at only 17 students enrolled in Mr. Donica’s kindergarten through eighth grade lessons. While this group may be viewed as tinier than most, Donica’s passion for working with the students is clear: “I really enjoy helping kids find their musical voice since music is such a special thing.”

Evelyn, a sixth grader and a piano student of Mr. Donica’s enjoys piano lessons quite a lot. She has taken piano at St. Robert for six years, but this is her first year with the new teacher. Evelyn’s one on one lesson takes place on Thursdays during her recess period. “ I enjoy piano,” said Evelyn. “I’m learning lots.”  She also noted that Mr. Donica has helped shape her playing ability in a way her former teachers did not. “I like how Mr. Donia teaches us technique,” she elaborates. In addition to the technique being taught through the music, Evelyn feels that Mr. Donica is able to add to the school environment in other unique ways. She goes on to explain, “I feel like it’s good to have more male teachers at St. Robert teaching extracurriculars.” As a school with a majority of female teachers, learning from a male teacher can sometimes offer a new perspective on the material or offer new ways of learning.

At St. Robert, taking piano lessons isn’t a replacement for music electives. Instead, students can also take general music, choir, and band, while still having the opportunity to enroll in piano as an additional musical experience! Students in kindergarten through eighth grade, no matter the level of skill, are welcome to  join piano. Participating in piano taught by Mr. Donica is an effective way for students to continue to grow in music and explore their talents.