Ryan Baldridge
Choir conductor, Musikgarten teacher, piano teacher
A graduate of the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music (BM Piano Performance), Ryan’s love of music began as a very young child, watching his mother teach piano lessons and his father conduct choirs. While in college, he served as the Honors Conductor of the Wheaton College Men’s Glee Club under then-ACDA president Dr. Mary Hopper. During this time, he also received training in the Musikgarten curriculum, becoming certified to teach across all the Musikgarten age ranges (birth-9 years), hoping to one day pass along the early exposure and love of music that he received. In addition, he is also fully certified in the Orff-Schulwerk method of teaching music. Ryan has also taught and conducted choirs in elementary and preschool settings, leading his elementary choir to first place in the state competition, and is the music director of his church, where he is beginning choirs with the children.
Abbie Baldridge
Piano teacher, choir accompanist
Beginning piano as a stubborn 6 year old, Abbie was insistent that she did not want to do piano—harp would be her instrument. After a very patient teacher taught her to love piano, she quickly progressed, taking advantage of the numerous classical piano competitions in the Jacksonville area. Her teacher also passed on her love of hymns to Abbie, teaching her to improvise and arrange music. These things profoundly shaped how Abbie wanted to teach: convincing even those who maybe aren’t thrilled about piano to love it, opening opportunities to try performing, and fostering a love of creativity and service while still pursuing classical excellence. Abbie holds music and history degrees from Wheaton College, and she serves as one of the piano accompanists at her church.
