Liana Westerman

LianaMXWStudio, LLC is run by me, Liana Westerman. 

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I'm an introvert at heart but my love for the arts helps me push beyond the threshold of my comfort zone and discover new potentials and create beautiful connections with others.

Through mentors, peers, masterclasses, and self-discipline, I have become a passionate, well-seasoned musician, photographer, calligrapher, and artist. My love for the arts has led me to transcend the boundaries of my inner being and share my artistry with others and the world.

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MUSIC BACKGROUND

In college, I studied keyboard (piano), flute, and cello obtaining a Bachelor of Music in Keyboard Performance at Baldwin Wallace University's Conservatory of Music.  I also studied and own a GuZheng 古筝, a Chinese zither that some say sounds similar to a harp, as well as an Erhu (二胡), a Chinese fiddle often compared to the violin.  I have served as one of the main piano instructors and theory/solfege teachers for Chase Castle's Summer Piano Academy and giving a master class on the GuZheng for the students.​I started playing for weddings in high school and set myself apart from other musicians by combining my studies in classical music theory, and various instruments with tasteful audio effects and layering.  By using my Mini MPK Akai, looping pedals, and keyboard with over 750 instrument tracks, I work with clients to create perfect song arrangements of all musical genres and styles making all song requests possibilities limitless.  From movie music to punk rock, classical to country, and everything in between, I have dappled in all realms and am always eager to learn more.  And since I already have amps, microphones, cords, and a portable keyboard, I can play indoors and out and there's no need for extra costs in renting other equipment or hiring extra people.​I also play for private events, parties, ceremonies, pit orchestras, and accompanied musicians in competitions, concerts, and solo & ensemble.  Some musicals and operas I have played for include West Side Story, Next to Normal, Cimarosa, Dialogue of the Carmelites, Great American Trailer Park, Freaky Friday, Shrek the Musical, Once on this Island, Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast, The Music Man, Funny Girl, and others.I have been an accompanist for middle school and high school level solo & ensemble each year since 2013.  As I meet and rehearse with every student as many times as they feel necessary, every student I have accompanied has earned nothing but Excellent and Superior ratings.​

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PHOTOGRAPHY BACKGROUND

As I gained more experience playing for weddings and other events, I developed a great respect for the artistry that goes into them. I was fascinated by the knowledge of the photographer. When I saw the way they were able to capture so much emotion in each and every one of those gorgeous pictures from that day, I knew I had to dive into the vast realm of photography.   I've taken masterclasses with famous wedding photographers including John Branch, Kesha Lambert, Michael Anthony, Taylor Jackson, Joy Michelle, and Pye Jirsa and have started studying videographers Matt Johnson, Jared Haskell, Alexander Ma, and Parker Wallbeck. Furthermore, I've taken courses led by Taylor Jackson who teaches the skills and techniques needed for the specialty of shooting hybrid weddings (meaning both photo & video). I have come to love every aspect of photography from nailing the nitty-gritty technical aspects to capturing the overarching aesthetics of the composition to create and tell the story at hand.

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HANDMADE ART BACKGROUND

I also have a great love for creating tangible pieces of artwork and started my own Etsy Shop.  I discovered the discipline of spray paint art and have developed my technique through watching and learning from spray artists Skech Art and Porfirio Jimenez.  Go check them out too!  Through mindless scrolling through Instagram, I also happened upon some resin artists.  Immediately I was drawn in and began experimenting with epoxy.  I have created a resin lamp using fairy lights, resin, and colored inks.  My work has been featured on Pro Marine Supplies's Instagram and Facebook profiles! Along with those mediums, I have also started learning pyrography (wood burning) art and will be adding some of those designs as well. My Etsy shop is a place where I can create whatever I dream up and share it with others.