Meet The Teachers
Nicolas Arguello
String Sprouts Lead Teacher, Violin
Nicolas began his musical training in Bogotá, Colombia at the Universidad Central de Colombia and obtained a master in viola performance from Missouri State University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate from the University of Kansas: Doctor in Musical Arts in Viola performance.
Nicolas began his teaching at Tocar y Luchar CAFAM Colombia as a Viola Professor for children ages 8-16. He has continued teaching undergraduate students at the University of Kansas.
He has performed throughout the world including; Symphony Orchestra of Caldas, Symphony Orchestra of Universidad del Bosque, Bogota Symphony Orchestra Foundation.
Nicolas is a certified Level 1 Sprouts teacher.
Victor Diaz
String Sprouts Lead Teacher, Violin
Victor began his musical training in Bogotá, Colombia at the National Colombia Conservatory and he completed his undergraduate studies with professor Benny Kim at UMKC. He is completing his graduate studies with Professor Ben Sayevich and Chung-Hoon Peter Chun at Park ICM.
He was a winner of The Young Performer Competition from the Colombian Republic Bank. He has traveled and played around the globe with the sponsorship of organizations such as the Colombian Youth Philharmonic, Orchestra of the Americas, and Sphinx Organization. Victor has been part of educational programs such as the Mahler Chamber Orchestra Academy, Allegro Vivo Festival in Austria, and the National Alliance of Audition Support training program. He has been part of orchestras such as Bogota Symphony Foundation, Topeka Symphony, Wichita Symphony, Saint Joseph Symphony. In addition to String Sprouts, he is a teaching artist at Harmony Project KC and a private instructor in the KC metro area. Victor believes in the great positive impact of music on people's lives. He is constantly attending training from the Suzuki Association of the Americas and other Teaching Artists institutes so he keeps refining his teaching philosophy for a more meaningful impact on his students.
Jude Frank
String Sprouts Lead Teacher, Violin
Born and raised in Kansas, Jude Frank has studied violin for over 14 years. He has studied under Beth Titterington, David Kovac, and currently studies with Anne-Marie Brown of the Kansas City Symphony. He is in his second year in the Kansas City Youth Symphony, and is a member of the Youth Symphony of Kansas City/Opus 76 Chamber Music/String Quartet Program. A chamber music lover, he has participated in the Heartland Chamber Music festival for 10 the past years. He was a member of the Sprouts team last year as an assistant teacher, and is thrilled to be in his first year as a lead teacher of 4 classes at 2 locations.
James Farquhar
String Sprouts Lead Teacher, Cello
James Farquhar studied under Kurt Baldwin at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Under Baldwin’s instruction, James has attained UMSL Artist of the Year and has organized numerous outreach recitals in the communities around St. Louis.
After completion of his Undergraduate degree in Spring 2022, James plans is pursuing a Master’s degree in Cello Performance, at Park ICM. His ultimate career goal is to be a concert cellist for a major symphony orchestra, as well as teach privately for underserved students throughout Kansas City and St. Louis.
James is a certified Sprouts Cello instructor through Level 4 and has been a Heartland Chamber Festival Scholar for five consecutive years.
Ian Mitchell
String Sprouts Lead Teacher, Violin
Ian Mitchell graduated from The University of Central Missouri with a bachelor in music performance and is currently pursuing a masters in Music Theory at the University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory.
During his time at the University of Central Missouri Ian served as the concertmaster for the UCM Orchestra, played in the UCM Jazz-Rock Combo Ensemble, and was the American String Teacher's Association Chapter president.
Ian was a clinician for the violin section of Marshall High School, and gave private lessons through a community program in Sedalia.
Ian has performed with the Sedalia Symphony Orchestra, The Barn Players Community Theatre, ASTA Ensemble, and many private events.
Ian is a certified Level 1 Sprouts teacher.
Assistant Sprouts faculty
Yi-Chun Chen
Michael Frank
Gunnar Henning
Clara Lee
Lily Li
Sprouts are mentored by HCM alumni as Lead and Assistant teachers and Kansas City Symphony musicians who perform quarterly at the Sprouting Up concerts, all creating a caring and supportive community.