Welcome!

New HAA Instructors

We're pleased to announce the addition of three very fine musicians and individuals to the HAA teaching staff: Colt Ballou, Katie Morris, and David Pratt. Please help us welcome them!

Colt Ballou

Colt Ballou teaches voice, piano, organ, Children's Music Academy, Kindermusik, and vocal ensembles. He is currently attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he is pursuing a Master's degree in Choral Conducting, as well as studying organ. Colt was active as a vocal music teacher in Iowa before relocating to Lincoln, NE.

More About Colt >>

Hobbies: Travel, fitness and exercise, cooking, reading
Favorite Foods: Sushi, pistachio ice cream
A Book Everyone Should Read: Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
Favorite Quote: "The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind." ~Khalil Gibran
Favorite Joke: 
Q: How can you tell when a singer is at your door?
A: They forgot the key and don't know when to come in!

Katie Morris

Katie Morris teaches voice, piano, flute, Kindermusik, and Children's Music Academy. She graduated from Doane College and taught K-12 vocal music for Planview Public Schools before moving to Lincoln, NE. She was just married at the end of June - congratulations!

More About Katie>>

Hometown: Utica, Nebraska
Hobbies: Running, reading, and spending time with the love of my life!
Favorite Foods: Peanut butter and mashed potatoes...not together though!
Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird and the whole Harry Potter series
Little Known Fact About Me: I played French horn in fifth grade for two days before switching to flute for good.

David Pratt

David Pratt teaches violin and electric violin. A fan of the Suzuki Method, he enjoys using the repertoire to teach in an intuitive manner with a natural progression. Originally from San Diego, David also grew up in the Washington, D.C. area, before moving to Lincoln, NE.  David will attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as a chemistry major in hopes of attending medical school.

More About David >>

Hometown: San Diego, CA, and Washington, D.C.
Hobbies: I am learning Spanish using Rosetta Stone and have found the program useful. I enjoy mountain biking but haven't found many mountains in Nebraska.
Favorite Food: Mexican and Sushi
Favorite Piece of Music to Play: Praeludium and Allegro by Fritz Kreisler
A Book Everyone Should Read: The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable
Favorite Quote: "The number one reason why people give up so fast is because they tend to look at how far they still have to go, instead of how far they have gone." ~unknown

Instructor Spotlight

Cristina Vlad

Cristina Vlad, a piano instructor at Harris Academy of the Arts, has been playing the piano since she was very young. She started playing for fun but after more and more performances and competition wins, she began to realize she really loved playing. Now, years later and having just completed her doctorate in piano performance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, we are privileged to have her on the Harris team!

Cristina was born in Romania in a town named Deva. You might be more familiar with the region, called Transylvania, the home of Count Dracula. But don’t worry, Cristina’s bubbly, friendly personality has nothing in common with that character. And though you wouldn't need to, you can always score points by offering her one of her favorite desserts: cheesecake and ice cream!

More about Cristina:

What is your favorite kind of music?

Besides classical, I enjoy a wide variety of genres. I am really fond of Jazz, among others.

What other hobbies do you have besides music?

I love dancing and soon will go get some tango lessons. J

What do you think is the best movie of all time?
I don’t have a “best movie of all time” but rather a list…Forrest Gump is on that list J, among others.

Do you have any good stories about where you grew up?

Of course, you can find out more by asking. Let’s just say for now that my last name (Vlad) is the same as Count Dracula’s, and that I am from the same area (Transylvania).

Do you have a fun or inspiring story to share about teaching lessons?

Everyone has different goals when taking on music/piano lessons. It’s always great hearing back after years from students, thanking you for the change you brought to their life through lessons.

What is one of your favorite recital or performance memories?

Sharing your love for music with an audience is something unique. After a broadcast performance of mine, the camera showed the reaction of the audience. It was very touching seeing someone tearing at the end.

What is your favorite quote?

“If you wish to succeed in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.” – Joseph Addison

View Cristina's Bio