Instructor Spotlight - Casey Hanner

February 16, 2022

This month, we would like to spotlight our instructor Casey Hanner! We are so lucky to have such a talented musician as a part of our team for the past 7 years. Alongside her time spent teaching at Sunburst, she is no stranger to the Pittsburgh music scene. As the lead vocalist and guitarist in the Band Donora, she has had years of experience singing across the country and even recorded several critically acclaimed albums!

We got a chance to sit down with Casey and ask her some in-depth questions about music to get some insight into her life as a musician. Here is what we uncovered…

How was your musical journey started?

My dad is a musician and had a recording studio in our house growing up, so I was always around music and other people making music. I kept a songwriting notebook as a kid and when I was about 13, I begged my dad to buy me a guitar. He lent me one of his guitars and a guitar chord book and told me that if I learned how to play the guitar, he would buy me one. The chords to the songs I wanted to learn were hard, so I wrote my own song using only the easy chords instead. My parents did buy me that guitar and I still play it today.

What do you feel is the best song you have ever released and why?

I can't answer this question. I have an affinity for all of the songs we've released. Some I like more than others. But I truly believe that the best is yet to come. I'm not one of those artists that believe we each have a finite amount of creativity or greatness inside of us. I truly believe that the more you work at your art, the better you become. And I don't think I've reached the best I can be yet.

What is your source of inspiration when writing music?

I try to be as honest as possible with my music. I can be inspired by some small interaction that happens in my life that I want to turn into a lyric. Or I can be inspired by the music itself. My brother Jake (the drummer and producer of the band) and I write most of the songs together. Many times it's a true collaborative process. He might play something that creates a certain vibe, then I might write a lyric that plays off of that vibe and we'll build it from there.

What do you enjoy most about being a musician?

I make music for myself, but every once in a while, it's nice to be reminded that our music brings joy to other people too. Spotify and Apple Music have been great for that. They may not pay artists enough for their streams, but they do tell you where every stream is happening around the world, which is pretty incredible for a band like ours. We've had our songs in movies and TV shows and commercials and playlists, so our songs have reached a global audience. When I'm feeling less than inspired or down about music, I can always look at Spotify and say, "Well people were listening to our music in Mexico, Peru, Australia, Sweden, Morocco, plus 94 other countries this month." So that's pretty cool.

If you had one message to give your students, what would it be?

Music doesn't always have to be perfect or pretty. Don't be afraid of mistakes or a little ugliness. Sometimes that's how we discover new and exciting things about ourselves and our unique voices.

Check out Casey's music Here!

Donora • Larue June

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Sunburst News - August 2025

August 1, 2025

August- Issue #96

5 Reasons to Start Playing in a Band

July 30, 2025

As summer break comes to a close, we’re gearing up for the next term of the Sunburst Band Program and would love to see some new faces this fall. Playing in a band is one of the best ways to progress as a musician, so we put together a list of five reasons why we encourage our students to seek out opportunities to play in groups—whether it's starting a band or jamming with a couple of friends. Progress Your rhythm, timing, and listening skills improve quickly when you start playing in a band or group setting. While private lessons and solo practice are essential pieces of the puzzle, playing with others introduces new variables—like tempo changes, dynamics, and coordination—that challenge you to stay in sync with your bandmates and adapt to each other. We’ve seen so many students level up after just a couple months in the Sunburst Band Program–the progress happens fast! Friends and Connections We love watching our students and their families become friends and our band program has been a natural starting point for many of those relationships. Some of our current bands have stayed together for years, and it's awesome to see them hang out outside of lessons and support each other at shows. Plus, one of the best ways to get gigs is through connections with other musicians! Motivation Playing in a band is super motivating because you're part of a group working toward an exciting shared goal. Whether you're learning a new song, building a set list, or getting ready for a show, the process becomes more exciting and rewarding when you're making music you love with people you enjoy being around. That shared energy turns practice into something much more fun and meaningful. Performing Performing can be nerve-wracking, but it gets easier the more you do it, and being on stage with your friends makes it less scary. We love seeing how our students' stage presence and confidence grow with each performance—it’s one of our favorite parts of being teachers! As we mentioned, shows are a great place to make connections with musicians who you’d like to collaborate with in the future. Simply put, playing more shows leads to playing more shows. Creative Outlet Music is a powerful tool for expression, and it’s important to have outlets for that at any age! Life is very fast paced for many of us, and it can be tough to pause and do the things you enjoy. Band practice can be a consistent anchor in your week—something you can rely on for connection, processing, and creating with your bandmates. As corny as it sounds, playing music is good for your spirit! If you’d like to know more about the Sunburst Band Program, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for more information. We also recommend talking with your private lessons instructor so that they’re aware and can help you prepare.