CATHLEEN (Master Voice Instructor) - Cathleen has been teaching voice for five years and holds two degrees in vocal performance, a Bachelor of Music degree from Furman University in South Carolina and a Master of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music in New York City. In her training and career, Cathleen has performed throughout the U.S. and abroad, including Italy and the UK. She has worked with world-reknowned coaches and teachers, adding to her knowledge of the classical and musical theater repertoire. Cathleen enjoys teaching and believes the experiences she brings to her studio can help her students become more well-rounded and accomplished musicians. Cathleen’s approach to vocal pedagogy includes proper breathing technique, muscianship, and stage presence to name a few. Her favorite part of teaching is helping her students learn good technique while also making singing a fun and rewarding experience.
ASHLEIGH (Master Voice Instructor) – Ashleigh holds a Masterʼs Degree in Music from the University of Kentucky. She also holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Highlights of her performance career include performing with and as a substitute for Dolora Zajick, the renowned Metropolitan Opera singer, at the Carmel of Reno in Reno, NV. Ashleigh sang a leading role with the Lexington Opera Society and performs regularly as a soloist for special events in the Twin Cities and Wisconsin. Ashleigh is a three – time NATS Competition winner (National Association of Teachers of Singing) and received the Outstanding Senior of the Year Award in Music at UNLV.
Ashleigh is a dedicated, passionate and highly trained professional singer who has extensive knowledge of the vocal instrument, not only pedagogically, but from performance experience as well. Ashleigh loves to share her knowledge and passion for music with her students and colleagues. Ashleigh is a great listener who is patient and responds to students individual needs to ensure they reach their highest potential.
LESLIE (Master Voice Instructor) – has recently completed a Master’s Degree in Music, with a special study in Theory and Analysis from King’s College London. Prior to this, she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. Leslie’s teaching experience includes one full year of substitute teaching and private music lessons focusing on voice, piano, guitar, music theory, and songwriting. In addition, Leslie has 9 years of vocal and piano training, 12 years of choral singing, and some guitar and flute experience. Leslie focuses her lessons on specific goals with an emphasis on the individual student’s progress. Each student’s curriculum is tailored specifically to the student’s experience and individual needs. Leslie’s goal is to see each student improve upon their current skills, while advancing to higher levels of musical achievement.
ELLIOTT (Piano, Voice, Guitar, Composition Instructor) – Elliott studied Music Theory & Composition at The University of Sioux Falls, SD; he then transferred to The University of South Dakota and received a BFA in Musical Theater Performance, Minor in Music. He is continuing his teaching, composition, and acting career in the Twin Cities. He is a composer, songwriter, musical director, actor, singer, dancer, model, playwright, and performer. He has been teaching voice, guitar, and piano professionally for over five years and is excited to be continuing his teaching career with “All Things Musik.” Elliott has also composed the music and lyrics for the new Contemporary American Musical, “The Music Box.” He has toured with several theatrical Broadway companies in New York, Texas, South Dakota, and Minnesota. His favorite theatrical performance roles include (Tony) “West Side Story,” (Chad) “All Shook Up,”(Cinderella’s Prince) “Into the Woods,” & (Host) “Survivor Live.”
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SHANA (Voice Instructor) – Shana holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Vocal Performance at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her music education began at Minnesota State University, Mankato and continued at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Shana has studied with such respected teachers and performers as Judi Donaghy, Steve Faison, Peggy Larson, Lori Dokken, and Debbie Duncan. Her passions are musical theater and rock blues. Shana has performed lead vocals in many rock blues bands around the Twin Cities, and has begun a career in musical theater, being cast in “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” and “Sisters of Swing” at St. Paul’s own History Theater.
LAURA (Piano and Voice Instructor) – loves seeing her students constantly grow in their skills and passion for music! In December, she graduated from Northwestern College in Saint Paul with a degree in Vocal Music Education. There, as a section leader in the Northwestern College Choir, she had the opportunity to tour in Arizona and Texas, as well as Estonia, Latvia, and Finland. Laura loves spending time with her husband, playing guitar and piano, and performing music at her church in Minneapolis.
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LINDSAY (Voice and Piano Instructor) – Originally from Wausau, Wisconsin, Lindsay has been performing in the Midwest since the age of eight. She was classically trained in both piano and voice at the Wausau Conservatory of Music throughout middle school and high school. After high school she moved to Northfield, MN to pursue music and psychology at St. Olaf College. There she was a member of the Chapel Choir, continued her training in voice and piano and participated in local community theater. After college she made the big move up to the cities and began a career as a musical theater actress. After three years in Minneapolis, Lindsay decided to make the even bigger move to Los Angeles to pursue all things performance. There she participated in the world premier rock opera Frank Zappa’s Joe’s Garage, began writing music and performing at various venues. When Lindsay took a part time job as a nanny, she learned of her love for children. When she spent a month in Ghana teaching in an orphanage she learned her love for teaching. Now happy to be back in Minneapolis, Lindsay teaches piano and voice lessons during the week and can be found on the weekends either playing music at a local venue or performing with one of the various local theaters.
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REBECCA (Piano and Voice Instructor) – Rebecca was born in Bismarck, North Dakota, but has lived all over the United States. Rebecca graduated from the University Of Southern Maine School Of Music with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a concentration in voice. She has directed and sung in numerous choirs and musical productions, working with students from ages 4-18. Rebecca has taken piano lessons for over 22 years. Rebecca believes that music is essential to the education of all students. She believes it provides a mentally stimulating and creative experience that enhances every student. Rebecca loves the energy and open-mindedness of young students. She enjoys sharing her passion for music, both through piano and voice, with a new generation of musicians.
CHANELL, B.M. Ed. (Voice Instructor) – Chanell is a mezzo-soprano, and graduate of the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities), specializing in vocal and music education. Chanell brings more than 15 years of experience performing and exploring the art of vocal music. She has performed professionally in several University ensembles including: Madrigal Singers, Women’s Choir, Concert Choir, Swing Choir, and Chamber Choir. As a soloist, she has achieved more than 14 star ratings, as well as an outstanding music performance award at state vocal competitions. She ranked 3rd place in a state “Best vocal mezzo-soprano performance” competition out of more than 150 contestants in 2004. Chanell is currently a Music Specialist Substitute Teacher in the metropolitan area and has experience working with all voice types in grades K-12. Chanell’s music teaching philosophy is to inspire and motivate students to reach their highest potential. She creates a safe and comfortable learning environment that encourages expression and presentation.
JOHNA (Voice and Piano Instructor) - is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. She has been teaching private voice and piano lessons for five years. Johna began taking private voice lessons at the age of 13, and currently studies with Jean del Santo at the University of Minnesota. She also studied percussion, specializing in mallets, from the time she was 11 through her sophomore year in college. Johna was selected to be a part of a European tour in both the band and choir, and was the selected choral soloist during the 14-concert tour. At the North Dakota State Music Competition, Johna’s performance of the aria “Mein Her Marquis” from the opera Die Fledermaus won her the Outstanding Performance Award, the highest award that a judge can bestow to a participant, and is only allowed to present one annually. She has accompanied various soloists, served as an academic tutor in to both high school and college students, and received several academic scholarships to study music performance.
