April Antell Tarantine was raised in Ohio by her music teacher father and very supportive mother. Her activities included piano and voice lessons, R.D.E. (an advanced reading program), and church and school choirs. In 1985, she was chosen to be one of 100 students in the United States to participate in the ACDA National Junior High Honors Chorus. Upon graduation, April entered the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University studying music education with an emphasis in voice and piano. She performed with various groups and in several operas and was inducted into 2 Honor Societies and one Professional Music Group (SAI). She graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education degree and later received her Master of Vocal Performance Degree.
She has taught music for over 20 years, as well as teaching private lessons in voice and piano. She was also the local on-air host at WYSU-FM for nearly 20 years. In addition, she was a professor of voice at Thiel College, taught music appreciation at Penn Highlands Community College, and worked as interim choir director at Girard First United Methodist Church. She served as an advisor for an SAI college chapter, president of an alumnae chapter, and as a Province officer for Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. April is proud to be teaching at the Music and Language Learning Center! She currently teaches private voice and piano lessons and directs two choirs at Zion Lutheran Church in Pennsylvania. In her spare time, she spends time with family, reads, and plays board games.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Private piano lessons (1978-1992) Teachers – James Antell, Lisa Czifra, Larry Harris
Private voice lessons (1983-1992) Teachers – James Antell, Rosemarie Kascher, Rosemary Raridon, Dr. Wade Raridon
Chosen to be in ACDA National Junior High Honors Choir (1984)
Austintown Fitch High School (Ohio) (1984-1988) (Graduated with Honors)
Bachelor's Degree, Music Education (Voice, Piano) Youngstown State University (Ohio) - (1988-1992) (Graduated Summa cum laude) (1988-1992)
Professional Teaching Certification/License – (1992-2024) Ohio Department of Education (*Will continue to take classes and keep current)
Master's Degree, Music Performance (Voice) Youngstown State University (Ohio) (2003, 2006-2008)
Filed paperwork - considered Highly Qualified Teacher – (2011)