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 - Friday afternoon 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
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.

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, and for the last 6 years has been an active teacher. Besides playing rock, r & b, and jazz, 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. Check out his myspace, www.myspace.com/jordancarlson2

CHANNY CASSELLE: Violin, Voice, Beginning Piano, Group Music and Movement for Young Ones. Thursday afternoon and evening.
Channy has been studying violin since age 8. She is passionate about teaching and introducing music, dance and art to anyone who is interested in learning. She values a strong focus on technique and music theory while encouraging an emotional connectvity to the instrument and the music the student is studying. She believes the best way to learn is to have fun while doing it. Channy strives to create a patient, welcoming and inspiring environment in every lesson. Channy is also an active performer with her original American folk band Roma Di Luna, www.romadiluna.com

RANDI EDMONDS: All Brass Instruments - Thursday evening
Randi has a degree in Music Education with a concentration in trombone. She gradated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has 3 years of public school teaching experience, 2 in Texas and 1 in Pennsylvania. She has taught general music, instrumental ensembles and private lessons. She specializes in brass instruments, especially trombone and euphonium, but also teaches trumpet, french horn, and baritone!

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 - Friday Afternoon, Saturday Morning
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.

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!"

BLAIR KRIVANEK: Guitar - Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, afternoon - early 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, Brass, Improvisation- Tuesday evening
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 recently transplanted guitarist 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 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! www.myspace.com/bradmclemore

MIKE MICHEL: Guitar, Bass, Songwriting - Monday thru Thursday afternoon - evenings
Native Ohioian turned Minneapolitian, Mike fronts his rock band,The BILL MIKE BAND, and plays guitar with many great artists from the Twin Cities area like Haley Bonar & MC Carnage. His passions are helping students develop their own voice on their instrument, 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 their songwriting.Here are links to Mike's websites. www.myspace.com/billmikeband www.sonicbids.com/billmikeband

ROCHELLE RANDY-LARSEN : Piano, Voice - Friday afternoon/evening
Rochelle’s background is too long to list…but for starters, she loves jazz, big band, Brazilian sounds and Community Theater. Rochelle’s teaching style is to design the lesson into something YOU love…music that tickles your fancy and makes you happy! Rochelle was trained by well known singers such as Prudence Johnson...toured with Bobby Vinton (remember him?) and appeared with Tony Orlando. Lessons with Rochelle are fun! Rochelle is great with kids and adults.

PHILIP SHOREY: Piano, Accordion - Monday thru Thursday afternoon - evenings
Philip Shorey has many eclectic musical talents. He plays the saw too, a skill his grandpa taught him. You might find him on Nicollet Mall entertaining folks with his accordion on sunny days. He has performed at the Bedlam Theater on West Bank and other venues in town. Philip Shorey grew up traveling in a family circus for many years. There he learned about puppets and other performing arts. He also gathered a passion for reaching out to the marginalized and forgotten on the edges of
society. Today he uses his ability to perform with music and puppets to travel the world and bring a message of hope to those under bridges, in orphanages, in brothels, on the streets, and in other places where people seem to be trapped. To learn more, visit his web site at www.suitcasesideshow.org

JULIE SWEET: Piano, Thursday afternoon - evenings
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.

LISI WRIGHT: Violin, Fiddle- Friday afternoon, early evening.
Lisi grew up in the small town of Blooming Prairie in southern Minnesota. She played classical violin from the age of 5, learning through the Suzuki method, and started fiddling in 2005. Lisi has become a busy freelance fiddler and teacher playing with The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra, The Greazy Biscuits, Mark Stary and the Whiskey Roses, Mick Sterling and others. Lisi is great with kids and just a fun person to be around.