Beverly Bigam ~ Piano: Mrs. B is the founder of Music Maker Workshops. Music Maker's began in 1995 as a small mobile teaching facility that taught music workshops. Soon she found herself working in Ahwatukee with a small staff of teachers. After great demand she decided to open her own studio. Now she is proud to have a place where over 22 teachers can provide lessons.
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Joe Bondly ~ Guitar: Joe started playing the guitar at the age of twelve and formed his first band at the age of thirteen. After high school Joe moved to California to pursue his goals in playing, writing, and recording music. By the age of twenty three Joe had recorded albums with three bands and played session guitar on various projects ranging from jazz to rock and metal. In the past five years Joe has attended several music institutions such as the Musicians Institute in Hollywood California where he learned from such artists as Paul Gilbet and Lenny Widegren. Now he lives in the Phoenix area teaching and recording guitar as well as playing with his band.
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Lysa Cohen ~ Strings, Piano and Guitar: Ms. Lysa has over 20 years experience in violin and has studied under some of the leading violinists in the Southwest. She has developed several performing arts programs and is currently the Director of String Orchestra and Guitar at a local private school. In addition to the violin, Lysa also teaches viola, cello, piano and guitar to all age groups in private, semi-private or group instruction.
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| Lyn M. Curry ~ Voice, Piano, Guitar & Kindermusik: Lyn graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in May of 2006 with a degree in music education. Originally from rural central Illinois, she dreamed of teaching "out west" after college. She took a position as choir director and guitar instructor at Cibola High School in Yuma, Arizona. In the school year 2008-2009 she will attend Arizona State University to serve as a graduate assistant for the choral department and pursue her master's degree in music education with an emphasis in choral conducting. In addition to bettering her vocal and piano skills, Lyn likes to laugh, read, cook, travel, play softball & volleyball and generally enjoy life. She is genuinely looking forward to continuing to share her gift and love of music with young people.
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Sherry Finzer ~ Flute: Sherry is a member of the National Flute Association. In addition to teaching, Sherry is willing to also provide workshops and masterclasses for flutists in the area. She moved to Ahwatukee from Rochester, NY in 2005. There Sherry played principal flute in the Brockport Symphony, Greece Symphony and in many community orchestras. She competed and won first place in the Rochester Flute Association in both 2002 and 2004. Sherry has recorded CD's and frequently teams up with other musicians to preform at parties and business functions. She also provides ensembles, workshops and camps.s
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| Jeri Forseen ~ Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano & Suzuki Methods: B. Mus.Ed., Indiana University, M.M. Violin Performance University of Georgia. She is Suzuki trained, teaches violin, viola, cello and piano. Jerri has extensive orchestral, quartet, and solo playing experience and she enjoys teaching students of all ages and abilities. Mrs. Jeri Forseen recently moved to the Phoenix area from San Diego, where she taught for many years. She has started many Suzuki programs as well as played in many orchestras. We are proud to welcome Jeri on staff!
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Annie (Moscow) Gold ~ Master Piano/ Composition: Annie trained as a child to be a concert pianist with David Sokoloff and Marian Zarzecna of the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. She majored in piano performance at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. After college, Annie moved to Los Angeles with her husband where they became a successful songwriting team, writing for film, television and other recording artists, including Sarah Vaughn, Sister Sledge and Mickey Mouse. Annie Gold is a performer and composer on the Roster of the Arizona Commission on the Arts. As a piano teacher, she works with students of all levels and is especially proud of some of her early students who have gone on to become professional musicians. Her specialty is working with advanced students, as well as “cross-over students”; non-reading musicians who want to learn to read, and classically-trained musicians who want to learn to improvise. To order her music: www.anniemoscow.com To contact Annie Directly regarding Lessons: Annie Moscow <11blocks@melonball.com>
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Mike Hinrichs ~ Guitar: Mr. Mike has been playing guitar for many years and teaches private and group lessons to guitar students of all ages here at Music Makers. He loves to integrate memorable and fun songs and riffs into his curriculum, asserting that if you enjoy playing something you will learn it much faster. As somewhat of a tech junkie, as well as being a musician, Mike has turned his home computer into a personal recording studio and can often be found playing, singing, recording, mixing, and tracks. Some of Mike's original music appears in the kids TV show Sprinkler's Clubhouse (Sprinkler's Clubhouse Episode List).
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Susanne Hinrichs ~ Piano & Voice: Ms. Susie teaches group, semi-private and private lessons for both beginning and intermediate piano & voice. She has been working with children & teens for many years and enjoys creating a positive atmosphere for young musicians. Susanne has a large student base at Music Maker Workshops and is extremely well-liked and admired for teaching ability. In addition, Susanne is available as an accompanist for private functions.
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Amira Jalaghi ~ Piano: Ms. Amira teaches piano lessons to children & teens of all ability levels. She has been playing piano for over ten years. Amira primarily plays classical music however enjoys branching off and playing Jazz, Blues, Pop, and modern styles of music. She spent her high school years at Desert Vista high school and was heavily involved in the music program, participating in Jazz/Madrigal choir, A cappella choir, Arizona Regional Choir, and various musicals. She previously worked within the Kyrene school district. She currently teaches 5 evenings a week at Music Maker's and has been very successful working with all ages. Amira is warm and personable and holds high expectations for her students.
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| Ryan Lind~ Guitar: Ryan brings over ten years of guitar experience and a desire to see students develop a love for music and their instrument. Privately trained, he has played and led bands of all styles. When teaching, he likes to integrate the fundamentals of music and guitar into songs that students enjoy and want to learn, making practicing fun. He uses popular songs to teach everything including basic guitar skills, rock ,jazz, fingerstyle and more.
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Julie Min ~ Master Piano: Ms. Julie has a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance from Cal Poly-Slo College. She specializes in teaching piano, theory, symphonic band & ear training. Julie provides a very successful seasonal program, 'Piano Boot Camp'. Plus she is establishing and organizing our new Master's Music Program. With all of her talent Julie also comes to each lesson with a warm and caring personality. She makes great effort to provide appropriate goals for each of her students. It has been great to have Julie as a full-time teacher with Music Maker Workshops.
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Eric Rasmussen ~ Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, & Piano: Eric has performed with some of the biggest names in the jazz community. Eric completed his Masters of Music degree in Jazz Performance at the New England Conservatory in Boston where he studied with Jerry Bergonzi, George Garzone, Danilo Perez and Paul Bley. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Jazz Performance from California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles, where he studied with Charlie Haden and Roscoe Mitchell. Eric leads the groups Guaranteed Swahili and the Eric Rasmussen Tristano Band both of which tour the US regularly. He records for Steeplechase and Fresh Sound Records with his own groups and has recorded with Paul Bley, Danilo Perez, Billy Hart, Christoph Schweizer and the Jazz Composers Alliance Saxophone Quartet. Eric performs in Europe regularly and has played at some of the most prestigious venues in the Country including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Recent performances in the Phoenix area include Jazz in the Hills Concert Series and an appearance with the Phoenix Symphony.
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LT Smith ~ Guitar, Bass, Drums, & Compostion: Mr.LT graduated from Chicago State University with a B.A. degree (majoring in Music Composition). He served in both the US Air Force and the US Navy. During his military service LT was a professional performing guitarist. He attended the Navy School of Music as a college graduate and subsequently became an instrumental music teacher. Recently LT retired from the local school district as a music teacher. We are proud to have such an amazing teacher here at Music Maker Workshops. LT teaches groups, semi-privates & private acoustic, electric & Bass guitar for all ages and ability levels. Also, he composes music of various genres. e.g. www.ltsmusic.net.
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Rachal Lindsay Solomon ~ Piano, Musical Theatre, Voice, & Acting: Ms. Rachal began her music studies at the University of Michigan, where she holds a bachelor's degree. Since then, Rachal has performed with The Kapralova Foundation, Seagle Music Colony, Centro Studi Italiano, The Lyric Orchestra, and most recently, has been accepted into Arizona State University to pursue her Master's in Lyrical Musical Theatre. For the past five years, Rachal has been teaching children ages 3-18 how to sing, perform, play the piano, act, and dance, through both her own studio and working as the musical director for the Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre.
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Kim Steedman ~ Kindermusik & Piano: Ms. Kim is our certified Kindermusik Instructor. She teaches Village, Our Time & Imagine That classes for babies & toddlers. Kim, the mother of three young children is proud that Kindermusik welcomes the youngest of children to develop innate musical abilities. She also provides further musical instruction with the Music for Little Mozart piano program. Kim is the daughter of Bev Bigam and is a Co-Owner of Music Maker Workshops.
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Leith Walden ~ Piano, Organ & Saxophone: Leith has over twenty years experience in piano and organ, as well as 12 years experience in the area of Saxophone. He began his studies in music at the age of five when his parents enrolled him in piano lessons. With a focus on theory and classical training, he completed the advanced division 10A of the Arizona Study Program, and afterwards, chose to continue with private lessons, which he took until the age of 20. At the age of 14, He became the head organist at Heritage Lutheran Church in Gilbert Arizona, where he was responsible for all music performed during church services, as well as helping the adult and children’s choir. He held this position for six years. At the age of 13, He began his study of the Saxophone, which he took private lessons for, as well as performing in his schools wind ensemble. Along with his music studies, Leith also has performed with numerous bands in many different styles including jazz, rock, soul, R&B, metal, and classical. With some of these bands, Leith has toured around the United States, and with others he has made it as far as the United Kingdom. To this day, Leith’s devotion to music is unwavering, and he continues to study and evolve as a musician.
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Shelley Yakubow ~ Piano: Shelley has her Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta. She has been developing and implementing group piano lessons, camps & workshops for young children for the past 7 years. She specializes in our Music for Little Mozart piano program. She believes that all children learn differently. Therefore her lessons include visual, audio and kinesthetic activities. Also Shelley has developed her own successful method to help teach the youngest of students to read music using animal associations, color coding and phonetics. Shelley is a high-energy teacher who always looks forward to seeing her students each week. She is the mother of three children and enjoys spending time with family, teaching, shopping, traveling, movies, & going to Starbucks!
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Jason Zarecki ~ Bass, Guitar, Drums, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Upright Bass, & French Horn: Jason has been playing music since he was in elementary school, and has loved every minute of it. He has toured nationally for both rock and alternative bands as the lead singer and bass player. He has opened up for artists such as Peter Tork of The Monkeys, Vanilla Ice, Gooding, Wheaturs, Pensive, Five Bolt Main, The Toasters, and many more. Jay has recorded over 6 albums, done solo work for various artists, as well as performed at Shea Stadium in front of 35,000+ screaming fans. Jay teaches all different styles, including heavy metal, rock, pop, alternative, swing and ska.
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Lauren Zaslow ~ Music Therapy, Piano & Guitar: Lauren is originally from San Diego, California and graduated from the University of the Pacific with a degree in Music Therapy. As a Board Certified Music Therapist, Lauren is experienced in developing and implementing individual and group music therapy sessions for children of all ages. Prior to joining Music Maker Workshops, she worked with patients at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, where she utilized music to facilitate medical treatments by reducing pain and anxiety, and increasing relaxation. Lauren enjoys playing the piano and guitar, singing, and sharing her love of music with others.
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