Ben Abrahamson

Sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Pellentesque sed dolor. Aliquam congue fermentum nisl. Mauris accumsan nulla vel diam.

link to an individual's site

John McCoist

Amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Pellentesque sed dolor. Aliquam congue fermentum nisl. Mauris accumsan nulla vel diam.

link to a individual's site

Brian Barnes

Consectetuer adipiscing elit. Pellentesque sed dolor. Aliquam congue fermentum nisl. Mauris accumsan nulla vel diam.

link to a individual's site

Robert Branch

Pellentesque sed dolor. Aliquam congue fermentum nisl. Mauris accumsan nulla vel diam. Sed in lacus ut enim adipiscing.

link to a individual's site

Robert Branch

Pellentesque sed dolor. Aliquam congue fermentum nisl. Mauris accumsan nulla vel diam. Sed in lacus ut enim adipiscing.

link to a individual's site

Todd Burrell

Consectetuer adipiscing elit. Pellentesque sed dolor. Aliquam congue fermentum nisl. Mauris accumsan nulla vel diam.

link to a individual's site

Jordan Carlson

Qumet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Pellentesque sed dolor. Aliquam congue fermentum nisl. Mauris accumsan nulla vel diam.

link to a individual's site

John Franklin

Sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Pellentesque sed dolor. Aliquam congue fermentum nisl. Mauris accumsan nulla vel diam.

link to a individual's site

BEN ABRAHAMSON:

Guitar, Ukulele - 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 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- Mondays and 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.

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, Applied Theory - 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.

ALICIA CHRISTENSON:

Piano - Thursday afternoon/evenings Alicia earned a degree in Piano Performance and the Artist Diploma from McNally Smith College of Music in 2002. Since then she has been performing in various bands around the Twin Cities including her own self-titled project. Independently she has released six CD’s of original music and also sings as a session vocalist for Commercials at Asche & Spencer Music and Rumble Music. Alicia enjoys teaching a variety of styles: From classical to pop to songwriting techniques. With her ability to connect with students of all ages, Alicia enjoys building a lesson plan around a students personal goals along with sharing various genres and artists that have inspired her along her musical journey.

JENNY CASE:

Guitar, Bass, Piano, Girls Guitar Class - Tuesday afternoon/evenings
Jenny Case is a Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter skilled in many instruments including bass, guitar, keys and vocals. She has played professionally around the Twin Cities and surrounding midwestern regions since 1991 in many rock/alternative/experimental/variety bands and in many shows and productions. She's been teaching private guitar, bass, vocal, piano, songwriting and recording lessons for the past 17 years, as well as coaching group classes and instructing at rock music day camps . A professionally trained vocalist, you can hear her voice on radio and tv commercials for Wisconsin Dells and Treasure Island Casino. She currently is a founding member of the non-profit organization, She Rock She Rock, and co-hosts an all-female jam every other month at Java Jack's in South Minneapolis. She is a staff songwriter for the Songs of Love Foundation, a member of the ICS songwriting club Bulletlodge, and is the founder of MN's first rock camp for girls; Girls Rock N Roll Retreat!

BENJI CONKLIN:

Piano, Guitar, Bass,Trumpet, Trombone
Benji is a multi-instrumentalist, music producer and artist specializing in piano, guitar, bass, contrabass, and brass instruments. He has earned a BA degree in music from the University of Minnesota and has taught music for over 10 years in the Twin Cities. In addition to teaching, Benji performs with various ensembles throughout the Midwest and produces and mixes music for recording artists, film, and theater in a variety of genres. Using this diverse background, Benji’s teaching method taps into students’ musical interests and passions and creates a motivating and exciting curriculum unique to each student.

MICHAEL DERRICK:

Guitar, Bass (electric and upright)- 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- Monday, 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

ANGELA FOX:

Piano, Voice - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 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.

HAILEY JACOBSON:

Guitar, Voice & Songwriting- Monday -Wednesday -evening, Saturday Hailey Jacobsen is a Minneapolis based singer/songwriter who specializes in guitar, voice & songwriting instruction. She has been playing guitar for 10 years and has performed in many rock, alternative and pop bands throughout the Midwest for the past 8 years. Hailey has taught private lessons and also group lessons for the past 5+ years through the non-profit organization, She Rock She Rock. She believes that playing music & writing songs are the most powerful forms of expression and no two lesson plans should be the same as no two students are the same!

MAURICE JACOX:

Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet, Voice, Beginning Piano- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 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. Maurice is an active and diverse performer who you might find as part of a funk and soul horn section, singing and fronting numerous dance bands, to taking on the lead role of his critically acclaimed Nat King Cole Tribute show. Overall, Maurice is an R & B, jazzy kind of performer that screams "SOUL!"

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.

KRISTI MACKAY:

Piano, Voice, Guitar & Flute - Monday, & Thursday afternoon & evening, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday mornings. Kristi is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a BS in Collaborative Studies in Dance and Music. As a songwriter/band member, she has toured nationally and had several songs placed on TV. She is also the music director for Northeast Community Lutheran Church, where she performs and directs a variety of musical styles. Kristi is great with all ages from young children to adults and loves helping her students achieve their goals by making music fun!

KARA LAUDON:

Voice, Guitar & Ukulele - Thursday Kara was born and raised in Minnesota. She picked up guitar at age thirteen and fell in love with playing, singing, and writing songs. Kara participated in her high school concert band as a percussionist and also sang in choir. After graduating high school, Kara decided to fully pursue her dreams in music by attending McNally Smith College of Music earning a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. Kara has performed at venues including The Fine Line, The Cedar Cultural Center, 7th St Entry, and Hell’s Kitchen. Working with and teaching youth is one of her greatest passions and Kara loves to share her musical gifts awith children, teens and adults interested in improving their voice and learning guitar or ukulele.

BRAD MCLEMORE:

Guitar, Music Theory, Songwriting- Monday-Thursday 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 Friday 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, Guitar and Garage Band - Monday- Thursday, Wednesday mornings Matt has been playing music professionally and teaching private lessons for over 15 years. His teaching approach is based on the idea that every student has unique needs and motivation for learning their chosen instrument. Matt's goal is to inspire a love of learning through music and make playing an instrument as fun as playing a video game. Matt creates weekly goals and indiviualized lesson plans to guide and inspire students through the challenges that are inherent in learning any musical instrument.

PHILIP SHOREY:

Piano, Accordion - Monday & Thursday afternoon/evenings 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 - Thursday 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.

MARIT SWANSON:

Violin, Viola, Cello- Tuesday, Thursday, afternoon/evenings, Saturday mornings Marit holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Pedagogy from the Conservatory of Music at Wheaton College. After graduating, she spent a number of years teaching string lessons and general music classes at an international school in Germany. She is equally comfortable teaching with traditional techniques or with the Suzuki method, in which she is a certified instructor. Her goal is that each of her students enjoy learning while gaining the tools they need to make excellent music.

SARAH WOLBERT:

Violin, Fiddle- Wednesday 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.