Teachers

Our teachers share their love for music and a commitment to making learning an enjoyable, satisfying process. We understand that playing an instrument is a challenge and can occasionally be frustrating--we know because we've been there! We hope to instill a positive spirit while taking on the challenges of developing your new skill and to promote a life long love and appreciation for music.

BEN ABRAHAMSON: Guitar - Monday and Saturday morning
Ben is an experienced guitarist and composer who has performed extensively throughout the Twin Cities and beyond since age 13. His passion for flamenco guitar drove him to Taller de Musics School of Music in Barcelona, Spain, where he studied under guitarist Juan Ramon Caro. Ben graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Music from Macalester College. He counts among his mentors flamenco guitarist Michael Hauser, jazz educator Joan Griffith, and music iconoclast Gary Lee Joyner. Ben enjoys sharing his love for music and the guitar with students of any level and age. www.myspace.com/abrahamsonguitar

HEATHER MAY ANDERSON: Flute, Beginning Piano & Guitar - Friday & Saturday
Heather holds a Bachelor of Music Degree for Music Therapy from the University of Iowa. Much of her work experience has been with people of varied developmental and learning challenges. Her specialty is developing adaptive, one on one lessons. She is especially good with younger children and those with special needs.

BRIAN BARNES: Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele, Banjo- Wednesdays
Brian Barnes has a diverse musical biography spanning more than 30 years. He's taught a variety of instruments, classes and workshops since 1992. Brian has a BA in Cultural Musicology from the University of Minnesota. Brian teaches beginners and advanced, young and old and loves to connect with students and their desire to create music. He's toured Japan, most of Europe, Canada and the U.S. as a Bluegrass musician; performed Country music at concerts and festivals in eastern Europe; traditional Irish in America and Ireland; blues in Hungary; Swing and French music at Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing; American Swing and Latin music in Vienna. As a core musician on a nationally broadcast radio program, he worked with famous performers such as Garrison Keillor, Minnie Pearl, Rose Maddox and Johnny Gimbel. As a musician and orchestra director for the nationally renowned Etnic Dance Theatre, he performed Russian, Serbian, Croatian and Bulgarian Music on traditional instruments.

ROBERT BRANCH: Guitar- Wednesday- afternoon - evening
A native of Ft. Worth, Texas, Branch has 10 years experience teaching many styles to a wide range of students, from children to the collegette level. Branch has a degree from the University of Southern California and is verse in many styles including rock, jazz, classical, fingersyle and music theory. Robert tailors his lessons to meet the needs of each individual students' level and age. Branch is great with kids, teens and adult students. He balances a combination of fundamental musical concepts, technique and performance material in a fun, yet systematic approach. Robert has performed with the likes of Robin Trower, Ozomatli, G. Love & Special Sauce, Mike Keneally, Particle, Dick Oatts and Wayne Horwitz.

TODD BURRELL: Piano - Monday & Tuesday - afternoon - evening
Todd is a highly accomplished piano player who has performed and recorded with local legends Prince & Alexander O'Neil. Todd currently performs with the popular local bands, High & Mighty and the BKS Vine. Todd is a seasoned and easy going instructor comfortable with young beginners and more advanced students. Todd is is especially good teacher for students who want to learn jazz improvisation techniques and jazz/pop "comping" from a chord chart.

JORDAN CARLSON: Drums, Beginning Piano - Monday, Wednesday & Thursday afternoon/evenings
Jordan has been playing professionally in the Twin Cities since the age of 16. He has a degree in music from the University of St. Thomas, and for the last 10 years has been an active teacher. Besides playing rock, r & b, jazz and country, he has had the opportunity to branch out and play styles from around the world that are not typically heard in Minnesota. These include reggae, dancehall, and soca from the Caribbean and Rai, Kwasa Kwasa, and Soukous from Africa. His teaching style is based on integrating the student’s musical interests into the lessons to make the learning process more fun.

MICHAEL DERRICK : Guitar, Bass (electric and upright)- Tuesday and Thursday Afternoon - Evening
Michael has played and taught in the Twin Cities for more than a decade. Although Michael graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in French, he spent most of his time in Jazz Studies, which was his minor. After a stint on the west coast playing in full time bands based out of Portland Oregon and San Francisco, Michael returned to the Twin Cities and continues play shows and teach. He has also been a co-host for jazz improv clinics to promote jazz awareness and group playing techniques. Teaching guitar and upright bass, Michael enjoys helping kids and adults with a variety of musical styles, leading students in a positive and creative manner to encourage consistent practice habits with appropriate technique and theory knowledge. Michael is great with young beginners and adults alike.

BOB EKSTRAND : Guitar, Beginning Mandolin- Thursday Afternoon - Evening, Saturday
Guitarist / Composer Bobby E. Ekstrand began playing the guitar at age 10. He is a performing musician who gigs weekly. Bobby has also been teaching professionally for 23 years. He studied music at the University of Minnesota. His specialty is acoustic fingerpicking. For more information on Bob see his website www.bobby-e.com

JEFFREY ERBLAND: Cello - Tuesdays
After receiving diplomas in both Cello Performance and Music Theory from the Eastman School of Muisc's college prep program, Jeffrey received his B.M. in Cello Performance from the Wheaton College Conservatory in Wheaton, IL. Jeff's orchestral endeavors have taken him to numerous states and seven European countries with various regional and honors symphonies. Jeff has performed regularly with the Tulip Chamber Players and the Wheaton Chamber Players, along with various community and church organizations. He currently plays with the Mill City String Quartet, and is a substitute cellist with the Mankato Symphony Orchestra.

ANGELA FOX: Piano, Voice - Monday, Wednesday,Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning
Angela works as a singer/actor/dancer with such theater companies as The Jungle, Bloomington Civic Theater, and The Cromulent Shakespeare Company. She is also a published composer with Alliance Publications INC. In addition to performing, her passion is sharing her love of music with others! She was the musical director (Adult Choir, Youth Choir, Children's Choir) at River Hills United Methodist Church and has been teaching piano and voice in the twin cities area since 2000. Her bubbly personality and teaching philosophy of learning through encouragement makes her perfect for the young beginner.

KAY GILLETTE: Piano, Voice - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday
Kay recently graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors in Music Performance from Hope College in Michigan. Some of her honors and distinctions include a semester of music study in Vienna, the 2007 Concerto-Aria Competition winner at Hope College and admittance into the Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honors Society. Kay has experience teaching piano and voice with students of all ages and levels. She loves kids and teaches a variety of musical styles: classical, pop, musical theater. Kay is also involved with several bands in the Twin Cities area including her duo Bella Ruse. She believes music is an essential and beneficial component to education and is excited to pass on her own love of music to others.

ERIC HOHN: Guitar, Bass, and Piano - Monday -Wednesday, afternoon - evening
Eric is a working musician in town with a wealth of musical experience. He has been the bass player for the 10 piece R & B group “Soul Tight Committee since 1991 whom he has played over 1500 shows! He is also a sound engineer at the Cedar Cultural Center where he enjoys the diverse and talented artists who appear there. His forte is working with others to create music greater than the sum of its parts. Eric was the first and original Linden Hills House of Music teacher and cofounder. His students say Eric’s wit makes the lesson a lot of fun!

MAURICE JACOX: Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet, Voice, Beginning Piano- Tuesday, Thursday Friday afternoon-evening
Maurice started acting and playing music professionally at age 15. He has worked with musicians such as Bonnie Raitt and Willie Murphy and performed at the Guthrie, Dudley Riggs and much more. His list of musical experiences is endless! He won the MN Music Award for Best Jazz Musician and named best male vocalist by the City Pages in 2004. He also fronts the fabulous 10 piece R & B group Soul Tight Committee. www.soultight.com. Overall, Maurice is an R & B, jazzy kind of performer that screams "SOUL!"

SHANNON JANSMA: Violin - Monday, Saturday
Shannon comes from a family of musicians and highly respected music teachers. She has been playing violin for 18 years and taught for the last 8 years. She loves to share her knowledge and the joy of music with her students. With her special training in Suzuki violin instruction, anatomy and movement, Shannon helps each student develop healthy technique, basic music theory and a broad repertoire from many different musical periods. She is great with all ages from children to adults!

BLAIR KRIVANEK: Guitar - Monday, Tuesday afternoon - evenings
Blair is an amazing guitarist who has played with many of the top local bands including Soul Tight Committee and the BKS Vine. His work ethic and talent are recognized by the top musicians in the Twin Cities and his guitar work is sought by many. He is an experienced teacher and enjoys the more advanced students who want a challenge. He has earned a reputation for his mellow, kind and patient manner.

ZACK LOZIER: Trumpet, Trombone, Brass, Improvisation- Tuesday
Zack Lozier is a highly sought after trumpet player in the Minneapolis - St. Paul area. Originally from Milwaukee, WI, he has been a trumpet for hire in the Twin Cities for over 10 years. Zack has played nationally in New York City, Memphis and New Orleans and internationally in England, Switzerland and Canada. He is an in-demand studio artist, experienced educator and accomplished arranger. His private lessons are tailored to each student's needs focusing on developing full tone for beginners and progressing to studies in musicality, improvisation and brass techniques for the advanced.

BRAD MCLEMORE : Guitar, Music Theory, Songwriting- Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday afternoon & evening
Brad is a transplanted guitaris/teacher/songwriter from Dallas, Texas. He spent many years touring with various bands and even made a couple of appearances on “The Tonight Show” and “Austin City Limits” with Texas recording artist Sara Hickman. With a degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, Brad is excellent at teaching a wide range of styles including rock, blues, folk, jazz, classical guitar, theory, songwriting and improvisation. Brad is great with kids or adults and will develop lessons specific to each student and style!

MIKE MICHEL: Guitar, Bass, Pop/Rock Composition, Improvisation, Audition Preparation, Music Business - Monday thru Thursday afternoon – evenings
Mike is a Minnesota Music Academy award winning guitarist/composer dedicated to empowering the emerging and re-emerging adult and teen musician. His passions are helping students develop their own voice on their instrument, balancing tradition and exploration, and simplifying the overwhelming world of music theory by using pop and rock music as the guide. Mike also has an extensive background writing music for T.V. and radio and loves to help students with all styles of songwriting. Mike has toured and recorded with many Minnesota notables (see link below for full bio) and teaches all styles of rock, funk, folk, blues, & metal. Mike also founded Rock Camp For Dads, Rock For A Cause, and curates the Modern Guitar Festival. www.mikemichelmusic.com

MATT NOVACHIS: Drums, Beginning piano
Matt has 15 years of experience playing and teaching many different styles of music. He incorporates his study of piano, bass and guitar into his teaching practice, giving his students an opportunity to expernce the relationship drums have to the other instruments. In addition to his busy playing schedule around town, Matt also tours and records with international recording artist Keri Noble.

PHILIP SHOREY: Piano, Accordion, Music for Young Ones Class
Philip Shorey has many eclectic musical talents. Besides his gift for piano and accordian music, he also plays the saw; a skill his grandpa taught him. He has performed at the Bedlam Theater on the West Bank and other venues around the world. He most recently traveled the world performing music and a marionette show on the streets of struggling cities throughout eastern Europe. Philip is a thorough yet patient teacher and is especially good with young students. Philip also offers small group classes for 4 and 5 year olds where kids are introduced to various instruments, singing and musical games.

CHARLIE SMITH: Piano, Guitar, Vocal Coaching- Monday and Wednesday afternoon and evening times available
Charlie has played piano since age six and is a dedicated performer and teacher of all styles of music. He holds a B.A. in music from Grinnell College where he studied jazz, Latin, gospel and classical performance and composition and he traveled to study music in Italy. He has taught students of all ages around the Twin Cities for three years. His teaching focuses on technique, theory and creativity and he believes the best learning happens while having fun. Charlie is a self-taught music producer and he regularly gigs around town. He is the keyboardist in psychedelic electronic group UMAMI and he plays jazz and pop piano with vocalist Lucy Michelle.

JULIE SWEET: Piano, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday afternoon - evenings, Saturday mornings.
Julie Sweet received her Bachelor and Master's degrees in Piano Performance at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She is a recipient of numerous awards including the MTNA Student Recognition (STAR) award and Toy Wilson Blethen Fine Arts Award at MNSU. She has 10 years in teaching experience to students of all ages and levels, 12 years in accompanying vocalists and instrumentalists at the collegiate level, and presents solo and chamber music recitals. The versatility and insatiable passion of Julie allows students to take on pieces from any musical genre, bringing a sense of adventure and enjoyment to all their lessons.

SARAH WOLBERT: Violin, Fiddle- Thursday afternoon, evening.
Sarah has been playing violin since the age of four, both solo and with groups, performing everything from JS Bach to Lady Gaga. Her training in the Suzuki method, classical performance, and various regional and popular styles of fiddling allows her to blend a custom teaching method for each student. Her youth symphony had the distinguished honor of playing in Carnegie Hall and touring England and France. Since moving to Minnesota, she has been expanding her experience with jug band music, hip-hop, blues, and ethnic music. Having taught children and adults, Sarah will creatively develop a lesson plan to help students accomplish individual goals.