*Instructor available in summer (in addition to fall & spring) Northwestern Student Instructors Graduate Instructors Faculty Instructors Julia Clearman Julia Clearman began studying piano at the age of five under the direction of Nancy Daley in the Suzuki Program at MacPhail Center for the Arts in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While studying Suzuki Piano, Julia performed for the MacPhail Honors Recital and the Suzuki Association of Minnesota (SAM) graduation recitals. After graduating from MacPhail in 2007, Julia continued her studies with prominent teacher Dr. Paul Wirth at the Wirth Center for the Performing Arts. In 2009, Julia began her studies in music performance at Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Julia has performed in various recitals, concerts, concert tours, weddings, hospitals, retirement homes, competitions, state conventions, and talent shows over the years. She has performed in master classes with, Dr. Victor Shkylar, Dr. Daniel Horn, Tadeusz Majewski, and Nancy Peterson, among others. Julia has studied piano pedagogy under internationally known Suzuki teacher Mary Craig Powell, Caroline Fraser, and Dr. Richard Lange. Julia is registered through the Suzuki Association of the Americas, (SAA), and has been a member of the Suzuki Association of Minnesota, (SAM). Passionate about teaching excellence in music, Julia acts as director and private piano teacher for the Clearman Suzuki Talent Education & School of Music. Julia also accompanies musicians and teaches piano through the Northwestern College Academy of Music. -back to top- Joshua De LeonJoshua De Leon is a junior at Northwestern College. His plan is to graduate with a degree in Music Composition. His musical journey began when he was six years old, writing some of his own compositions. He began private lessons at fourteen and now currently studies piano with Dr. Richard Lange and music composition with Dr. Leonard Danek. Joshua loves the creative expression that music affords and is very excited to see others share that passion. He believes musicians should strive for excellence in their knowledge of music theory and technique. With equal importance, he emphasizes the creative and imaginative aspects that each individual musician possesses. His mission is to draw out the talent and creativity that God has gifted each student of music. -back to top- Susanna Lim* Susanna Lim is a sophomore piano performance major at Northwestern College. She has played piano since she was six. While she lived in the Central Asian countries, Susanna went to a Russian Music School and attended a Juilliard summer camp during her elementary school years. She was an accompanist at her church for three years, at the school choir for two years, at the ACSI Honors Choir Festival in 2008, and currently accompanies for both Women's Chorale and Men's Choir at Northwestern College. Susanna is also a worship leader who loves to praise God. She has been teaching piano privately for five years and encourages her students to perform for the glory of God. Susanna strongly believes that music should be shared with people. Her main goal is to teach students to enjoy performing for God and for people. She seeks to provide a solid foundation of technique and skills for her students so that they will be well-rounded musicians as well as pianists. -back to top- Kristin Myhra Kristin Myhra is a senior at Northwestern College pursuing a dual degree in General Music and Accounting. She began private piano lessons when she was eight, and now currently studies with Dr. Richard Lange. Kristin has taught privately since high school, and the last three summers was a counselor at the NWC Piano Institute. Kristin is passionate about providing her students with a solid musical foundation, allowing them to reach their greatest potential. Therefore, she is committed to teaching music theory, proper technique, correct rhythms, and expressive musicality. She believes, in addition to learning an instrument, piano students gain the rewarding benefits of self-discipline, poise, and confidence by learning and then performing a piece of music. Therefore, Kristin asks each of her students to perform in a recital either annually or bi-annually. It is Kristin's mission to cultivate each student's God given musical ability by offering quality instruction in music and performance. -back to top-
Ami Andersen* Ami Andersen is a general music major from Cokato, MN, pursuing both piano and vocal studies, as well as enjoying composition/arranging and singing in choir. She has been involved in music lessons and choir since she was four years old, and is excited to use her experiences to encourage students in their love of music. She has studied with Dr. Paul Wirth and Dr. Richard Lange in piano, and Hillary Vermillion and Cathy Larsen in voice, among others. She hopes to continue teaching privately and use music in missions, as well as in the church and performance. She also enjoys philosophy, friends, photography, coffee, the outdoors and time with her family. -back to top- Wally Brath – jazz emphasis Wally has a BM from the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music where his concentration was jazz, improvisation and advanced theory. Before moving to Minnesota, he lived in Chicago for 8 years where he served as a worship pastor, taught piano, and played with some of the areas finest jazz musicians including: Mike Arnapol, Isham Jones, Steve Hunt, Chuck Webb, Richard Patterson, John Moulder, Frank Catalano, and Paul Wertico. Wally and his wife Shana have 3 children. He is currently the pastor for worship and small groups at All Nations Christian Fellowship in Brooklyn Center. -back to top- Ashlea CadwellAshlea Cadwell is a graduate of Northwestern College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education. Ashlea has been playing piano for nineteen years, with the past five years including study with Dr. Lange of the Northwestern Music Faculty. Ashlea has received music theory, sight-singing, and piano pedagogy training through the music program at Northwestern. She has been teaching piano lessons through the Academy for the past 4 years. Throughout her time at the Music Academy, Ashlea has taught a wide range of students both in age and ability. She is also currently teaching preschool at Primrose School in West Plymouth. Ashlea has a deep love for music that she wishes to share with her students. She is excited to pass of this love and help each student acquire an understanding of music and connect that with the ability and knowledge of how to play the piano. -back to top- Elizabeth Campton* Elizabeth individualizes piano instruction to the student, using traditional materials as well as components of movement, singing, and games. It is Elizabeth's goal that each student become a well-rounded musician, understanding music in the context of art, literature, and culture. Elizabeth uses music in a variety of styles and genres, teaching students to discover musical concepts on their own, practice and evaluate themselves effectively, and perform confidently. Students are given the opportunity to perform in ensembles such as duets and enrich their instruction through piano camp each summer. Students become strongly competent in music history, vocabulary, and theory as well as technique and artistry. Elizabeth's primary goals are first to pass on the joy of music to each student, so that it might become a lifelong endeavor, and second to give students every skill they need to be the best musician they can be. -back to top- Katie Hagen* Katie Hagen is a graduate of Northwestern College with a major in History and Bible and a minor in Music. As a piano teacher with the Academy of Music, Katie gets the chance to share her love of music with students of all ages and abilities. Her piano experience includes private piano lessons for sixteen years, church pianist for five years, Music minor at Northwestern College, and she has been a teacher with the Academy of Music since 2005. Katie's purpose as a piano teacher is to create a positive musical experience for each student based on their abilities and personal goals. Katie is patient teacher and she loves getting to know her students beyond their interest in music. -back to top- Mary Lee* Mary Lee is a Northwestern College Graduate with a B.A. degree in Music. Her main instrument is Piano, but she also has studied and plays percussion. Out of college she has continued to study music technique. She played percussion for 4 years with a post-college group out of St.Thomas college and currently is using her musical skills and abilities within her church. She believes that music is a way to guide a student's artistic development, character, and a means for her students to serve others and glorify the Lord. She uses teaching as a means to share her love of music with others as well as develop life-long musical skills. She has been teaching private piano lessons for the Northwestern College Music Academy since 1998. She is currently a member of the Minnesota Music Teachers Association and specifies in the training of theory, performance, technique, and ear training. She believes that there is more than one way to learn and focuses on each student's learning style. -back to top- Annabel Naglak* Annabel Naglak recently graduated from NWC with a Bachelor of Arts in General Music. She began piano lessons at age 5 near her hometown of Story City, IA and participated in IMTA (Iowa Music Teachers Association) competitions throughout her childhood. In college, Annabel was active in the music department, participating in activities such as the Jazz Band, Orchestra, piano department, and the Concerto/Aria Competition of 2010, of which she was named winner of the concerto division; because of this, she had the honor of performing a piano concerto with the NWC Orchestra during the spring semester. Annabel loves to teach music because each student learns more than just the specific instrument he or she studies. Hard work, discipline, and confidence are among the many wonderful things that can be cultivated as one studies piano, trumpet, etc. As a teacher, Annabel has high expectations for every student. While taking into account the learning needs, weekly schedule, and body language of each student at each lesson, her deepest desire is that her students improve in an encouraging atmosphere. -back to top- Emily Nelson* Emily Nelson has been playing the piano since she was 7 and graduated from Northwestern College in 2009 with a degree in Piano Performance. She is pursuing her Master's in Music Education: Piano Pedagogy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Emily has considerable collaborative performance experience accompanying choirs, vocalists, and instrumentalists, and is currently teaching an extensive studio. Passing on a genuine, life-long passion for music to students of all ages and backgrounds is her number one motivation for teaching piano. Emily believes few things are as satisfying as developing a relationship with her students while watching them grow musically and personally. She enjoys tailoring her teaching style to meet individual students' needs while instilling a solid foundation in artistry, technique, and music theory. -back to top- Grace Peterson Grace Peterson is a graduate of Northwestern College with a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance, flute as her secondary instrument and a Spanish minor. She has taken piano lessons for sixteen years, studying for four years with Dr. Richard Lange at Northwestern, and is currently studying with Dr. Paul Wirth. She has completed Piano Pedagogy with Dr. Lange and is in her fourth year of teaching through the Academy of Music. Besides preparing solo music, Grace is active in a variety of musical venues: church music, chamber music, weddings and accompanying. She has participated both in piano tours throughout the Midwest and the concerto-aria competition at Northwestern. Grace believes music is vital for all ages and hopes to spread her passion for music to her students for the glory of God. She believes learning music should be a fun and enriching experience; skills developed in the process should be applicable to all of life. -back to top- Wes Ruelle* – jazz emphasis Wes Ruelle grew up in West Bolton, Vermont. Starting at age 6, he began privately studying classical piano. His focus later shifted to jazz, and he started to play jazz at various venues around Vermont with a variety of groups. He was later accepted to the William Paterson University jazz program, internationally known as one of the most prestigious programs in the world. There he studied with such greats as Mulgrew Miller, James Williams, Armen Donelian, Steve LaSpina, and many others. Upon graduating, he relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he plays in a variety of groups of several different genres. He has been teaching a variety of different students of all ages and walks of life since age 19. He specializes in teaching jazz piano and improvisation, but has a strong background in classical music, as well as rock and blues. -back to top- Andrea Sheppard Andrea Needham is a graduate of Northwestern College with a degree in General Music. She has been playing both piano and flute for over twelve years, most recently studying piano with Dr. Lange and flute with Michele Frisch. Andrea loves performing, and enjoys participating in local ensembles as the opportunity arises. She has been teaching music lessons since high school and loves the challenge of tailoring lessons to each new student. Her goal in teaching music is to encourage each student to love music and to learn life skills such as perseverance, a good work ethic, and time management through learning and instrument. Aside from music, Andrea loves studying philosophy and theology and loves being outdoors. -back to top- Phebe Yeo* Minghui Phebe Yeo graduated from North Central University in Minneapolis, MN in 2009 with a Bachelor's in Piano Performance and Conducting. She is currently attending University of St Thomas in St Paul, MN to receive her Masters in Music Education: Piano Pedagogy. Phebe is originally from Singapore, and began playing piano at the age of three and found she really loved playing. She played for the National Youth Festival in Singapore and has also performed with choirs internationally. She recently accompanied the North Central University Chorale in a performance at Carnegie Hall, New York and currently accompanies the Twin Cities Masters Chorale. Phebe is the acting director for WOVEN (an inner city kids music program at North Central University) and has been teaching piano for 8 years. Passing on a genuine, life-long passion for music is her goal for teaching piano. She believes that music is a way to guide a student's artistic development, character, and a means for her students to serve others, glorify the Lord, and succeed in their life endeavors. -back to top- Heidi Amundson* Heidi Amundson has been playing piano for twenty years and violin and flute for 15. She has her Bachelors degree in violin performance from the University of Denver in Colorado (studying with CSO concertmaster, Yumi Hwang-Williams), and her Master's degree from Rice University in Houston (studying with Cho Liang Lin). Currently she is a DMA candidate at the University of Minnesota with Sally O'Reilly. Heidi has taken both traditional and suzuki lessons and enjoys combining the two methods to make a perfect match for each student. She has most recently served as faculty at Rice University's Preparatory Music School and loves teaching all levels and styles. "The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul." J.S. Bach -back to top- Paul Compton* A native Minnesotan, Paul has been playing piano and cello since elementary school. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Cedarville University and a Master's degree from Houghton College, both in music composition. Paul is particularly interested in chamber music for strings and sacred music. He has extensive experience performing in orchestras, string quartets, and worship settings. Paul has been teaching since 2003 and enjoys working with students of all ages and proficiency levels. -back to top- Sonja Grimes* Sonja Olson Grimes is a homeschooling Mother and a Master Certified Teacher of Piano with MMTA. She holds Masters Degrees in Piano Pedagogy and Piano Accompanying/Chamber Music, and a Bachelors Degree in Piano Performance. She has 25 years of experience teaching and accompanying at Villanova University, The Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, and at Northwestern College in St. Paul as well as maintaining a private home studio. She teaches Musikgarten classes and is a freelance accompanist in the Twin Cities. B.M. Wheaton College
M.M. Temple University -back to top- Kim Lange* Kim Lange received the B.A and M.M. degrees with an emphasis in Piano Pedagogy from the University of Minnesota where she studied with Paul Freed. She has 26 years of teaching experience, including teaching at the Crystal Free Church School of Music, the Northwestern College Academy of Music and the Northwestern College Piano Institutes. Kim has studied the Suzuki approach with Maria Rantapaa and the Taubman Technique with Teresa Dybvig. She also has had extensive training in early childhood music, including the Yamaha, Musikgarten and Musical Trolley programs. Her teaching experience has included students of all ages, including both gifted students and students with disabilities. She is an active member of the Minnesota Music Teachers Association, the St. Paul Piano Teachers Association and Minnesota Music Teachers Forum, and has attended numerous workshops, master classes and institutes. A lifelong learner, she continues her piano studies with Dr. Paul Wirth. Kim resides in Crystal, MN with her husband who is her greatest support, Dr. Richard Lange. -back to top- Marlene Lee* Marlene Testa Lee, NCTM (National Certified Teacher of Music), is an Early Childhood, Elementary/Junior High Music Director, having taught in both public and private schools as well as directing church youth choirs. Currently she is on the Music Education Faculty at Northwestern College and a Piano Instructor at the Northwestern College Academy of Music. She has her Bachelor of Music degrees in Piano and Music Education from MacPhail College of Music, and a Master of Arts degree from the University of St. Thomas. Mrs. Lee is a member of the Music Teachers National Association, the Choristers Guild and the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association. -back to top- Pam Sohriakoff* Pam Sohriakoff is a versatile pianist and respected teacher. She has a Master of Music degree from the University of Minnesota and is currently based in the Twin Cities area as a freelance artist, teacher and vocal performer and coach. She is an adjunct professor at Bethel University, with a primary emphasis on accompanying students. She recently completed her third solo piano album called "Reflective Beauty," which includes two of her own compositions. She specializes in hymn arrangements and improvisation for worship. She leads worship and performs at weddings throughout the area with her husband, Ken, who is an ordained minister. Their business, The Preacher and the Player, offers a unique blend of music and pastoral services. Pam's music can be obtained at her website: www.filledwithmusic.com. -back to top- |
