Teacher Profile: Emily Stanton

About Emily Stanton

Emily Stanton is a piano teacher and worship leader from Kansas City. She began her music education through her school’s elementary music program and by singing songs in her church. One Christmas, Emily received a small keyboard from her parents and immediately started to teach herself some simple songs. Shortly after this, she started taking lessons from Myra Lemons and continued those lessons until graduating from high school in 2008. During her time of study with Mrs. Lemon’s, Emily was involved with multiple competitions, recitals, and key board merit exams. It was through her years of early piano instruction, that she fell in love with the instrument and developed a passion for teaching others.

In the fall of 2008, Emily began her undergraduate studies for Music Education at MidAmerica Nazarene University. While attending MNU, Emily studied piano under Karen McClellan and Kathy Smith. She learned a great deal about music history, performance, piano literature and more! During this time, Emily also took courses in Piano Pedagogy and started teaching beginner students. She was also actively involved in Heritage Choir and Choral Union under the direction of Dr. John Leavitt. Under his mentorship, Emily learned about conducting techniques, vocal pedagogy, and was able to deepen her understanding of choral literature.

After graduating from MNU in 2012, Emily continued to build her piano studio and played an active role in OMTA (Olathe Music Teacher’s Association). During this time, she also went back to school to pursue a Master’s in Elementary Education from the University of Saint Mary. It was during this time that she decided to bring her love of music into the general education classroom. While working as a classroom teacher during the years of 2021-2025, Emily began to play on worship teams as their primary keyboard player. She learned from many gifted musicians about ensemble collaboration and became an expert in her instrument. She was encouraged by a fellow pianist at her church to “really know your instrument”,these words have stuck with her and as a result, she continues to know her instrument better each day!

Currently, Emily and her husband play on a worship teaching at Abba’s Shabbat Fellowship. They play a mix of contemporary Christian worship, Messianic Praise Music, and traditional Jewish songs. Emily loves incorporating new playing techniques into her worship practice and finds great joy in playing with musicians of all ages and abilities.

When not playing music or teaching one of her wonderful students, Emily can be found reading a good book, going on day trips with her husband, or being outside adventuring in nature! She is looking forward to filling her studio with delightful students and families!