Meet the Powells
Russell
Music has been an integral part of my life pretty much since the day I was born. Dad was our church music minister and a double major in vocal and instrumental music education. Mom was a vocal performance major and in addition to singing in the church choir, also spent time as the church organist and pianist. So I guess you could say I come by it naturally.
I sang in choirs in preschool, started piano lessons at seven years old, joined the band in middle school as a trombone player, started arranging music in high school, and learned to write my own compositions in college. I guess you could say the final piece of the puzzle came six years ago when I met my wife, Madysen, who is an excellent piano teacher and music educator.
My music has been performed on concerts with the Dallas Wind Symphony, the Fort Worth Symphony, and the Fort Worth Civic Orchestra. I’ve has been commissioned to write choral and solo instrumental music, as well. If you're looking for innovative, yet beautiful music tailored specifically for your ensemble, I would love to collaborate with you.
When I’m not writing music, I work as a piano tuner. To me, there are few things more satisfying than the sound of a piano that was out of tune when you sat down, but now is in perfect harmony. If you need a piano tuner, I hope you’ll consider letting me work on your instrument.
Madysen
From my earliest memories, I have always loved music, and my passion deepened when I began piano lessons at the age of nine. I began giving private piano lessons when I was eighteen and went on to earn a Bachelor of Music Education from Dallas Baptist University in 2012, teaching music in public, private, and classical schools in the DFW area. I also had the privilege to teach preschool keyboard exploration classes at the Fort Worth Conservatory of Music and Fine Arts before moving to Tulsa in 2020.
Not to jump on my soap box, but I believe in the importance of music education for everyone. In the past few years, I have developed a special place in my heart for music in early childhood development, but I still love to teach all ages. My lessons are fun and engaging, providing a strong foundation for every student to pursue music in whatever form they decide to take. Through games, movement, group activities, singing, and instrument playing, my hope is for every student to have a deeply rooted and well-rounded appreciation of music that will benefit them for a lifetime.
I am an active member of the local, state, and national music teachers associations. When I am not teaching or brainstorming new ideas, I enjoy taking scenic drives with my husband, drinking a cup of chai with a good book in hand, and dancing and singing around the house.