Who's Who at the Center for Young Musicians: Autumn Kunselman

Autumn Kunselman

Who’s Who at the Center for Young Musicians: Autumn Kunselman

A new school year will mean new faces at the Center for Young Musicians! We are excited to announce that new teachers for piano, cello and guitar will be joining the CYM family, bringing unique experiences and solid training in music education. And as always, we happily look forward to greeting new students and their families.

To help everyone get to know each other a little better, we’ll be posting short bios on all the CYM teachers and staff.  Read on to learn more about Autumn Kunselman, CYM Director of Student Affairs.

Autumn Kunselman, originally from Punxsutawney, PA, began singing in church at the age of 4. She received her Bachelor of Music with vocal concentration and elective studies in business from Clarion University of Pennsylvania under the guidance of Dr. William Adams and Ms. Judith Robb Jenkins. While at Clarion, Autumn honed her business expertise serving two terms as President of the Music Marketing Association and earning an internship working with indie911.com in Hollywood, CA.

Autumn has had the privilege of performing with Mr. Lou Schreiber, Paul Thompson, Deb Weible, and in workshop with Maynard Ferguson and Marvin Hamlisch. She currently performs in the Pittsburgh area and studies jazz vocals with Ms. Maureen Budway. In her professional endeavors, Autumn enjoys serving on the board of Community Outreach and Education for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and is a member of Americans for the Arts, the Emerging Arts Leader network of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, and advocates for the VH1 Save the Music Foundation. Autumn currently lives in Regent Square and has been serving administratively at the Center for Young Musicians since May of 2008.

As Director of Student Affairs, Ms. Autumn wakes up in the middle of the night thinking of ways to support CYM students and families in their music education. From welcoming the youngest students, to encouraging older ones making steady progress, to arranging for experienced graduates opportunities to perform at the highest levels, CYM’s community of students and families never cease to surprise and inspire her! Ms. Autumn also is the creative force behind CYM’s communications and marketing efforts. 

Q&A with CYM:

CYM:  When/where/how do you listen to music for fun?

Ms. Autumn: I feel I get my best ideas with a pot of over-the-stove popcorn, a glass of vino in hand and Miles Davis on the turntable. During which time I may or may not be sorting laundry.

CYM: Favorite childhood book?

Ms. Autumn: The BFG by Roald Dahl. Actually, any book by Roald Dahl for that matter. (Especially the ones with absurdly wonderful Quentin Blake illustrations). I get sucked into his imaginary world like a moth to a tractor beam.

 

CYM: Most memorable music performance?

Ms. Autumn: One of my favorite performances to experience was Andrew Bird one-man show at the Carnegie Library in Braddock. His musical interpretations include such a unique presentation- a combination of singing, playing the violin and theremin, and whistling! (If you watched the Muppet movie, Andrew lends his whistling virtuoso to Walter in the final scene!)

CYM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Ms. Autumn: I share my birthday with Shamu and Johnny Appleseed.

CYM: What has music given you?

Ms. Autumn: Music has provided me the shortest distance between friends and a peek into the small window of the soul of every performer. In it, we share the freedom to express the very best of ourselves.