If you are interested in scheduling lessons with one of our
teachers, please use the email link at the end of the teacher's biography, or call The Music Store at
(480) 831-9691 and speak to a member of our staff.
Kyle Barentine
Kyle teaches percussion and drumming techniques at The Music Store. He specializes in beginning to intermediate instruction with an emphasis on band and orchestra students. Kyle has been teaching privately for 12 years and has extensive playing experience in marching, orchestral, and popular music. Kyle worked with and taught at the University of South Carolina, and worked with Garfield and Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps in the late 1980's. He is the recipient of the Most Outstanding Percussionist in the state of South Carolina. Kyle continues to play professionally with the nationally recognized group, The Swingtips.
Rates: $25/30-minutes
Lesson Days: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday
Instruments Taught: Drums
Inquire about Kyle's availability.
Blythe Emler
Blythe Emler is from Phoenix AZ and currently resides in Tempe. She was introduced to music by playing the clarinet in the fourth grade, but gave it up for the classical guitar when she started at Glendale Community College in 2002. She began her classical guitar studies there with Professor Chuck Hulihan and joined the ASU guitar studio under Frank Koonce in 2005. She has completed her bachelor’s in Classical Guitar Performance and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Guitar Pedagogy. Blythe is an active quartet member and soloist as well as a private instructor.
Rates: Call for rates
Lesson Days: Saturday
Instruments Taught: Guitar (Classical)
Inquire about Blythe's availability.
Kurt Finchum
Kurt is a 1990 graduate of Purdue University, and also studied at Arizona State University and Mesa Community College. One of the busiest trumpet players in the Valley, Kurt has performed with Linda Ronstadt, Lou Rawls, Wayne Newton, Esteban, the Harry James and Jimmy Dorsey Orchestras, Steve & Eydie, Billy Preston, Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave), Deniece Williams, and many others. Local acts include Straight from the Heart (in Hong Kong), as well as Azz Izz, Robert Street, Shining Star and The Hamptons. He is the leader of the Arizona Brass and the Santan Swing Band.
Rates: $20/30-minutes
Lesson Days: Thursday
Instruments Taught: Trumpet
Inquire about Kurt's availability.
Cory Fournier
Cory has been playing and teaching Acoustic and Electric Guitar for over 20 years. He has played a wide variety of styles with emphasis on Rock, Pop, and Praise and Worship music. Cory's musicianship is largely the result of practical experience, having left music school to tour with a Top 40 group. He does, however, employ his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology on a daily basis, "using immediate gratification (songs) to motivate students into learning what they need to know (theory)." While Cory is capable of providing in-depth study, his philosophy of music leans toward the "less talk, more play!" approach. Cory currently plays in his own acoustic duo and with his church band. His love of music and positive attitude provide a welcome learning environment for students of all ages.
Rates: $25/30-minutes ($22.50/30-minutes on weekdays before 2pm)
Lesson Days: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Saturday
Instruments Taught: Guitar, Mandolin
Inquire about Cory's availability.
Heather Gill
Heather teaches at The Music Store as well as in her Gilbert home studio. She earned a Music Education Degree at Arizona State University and teaches Strings in the Gilbert Public Schools. As a performer, Heather has played in Chamber Ensembles and Symphony Orchestras at Texas Tech University and ASU and also performs in her Emotional Strings Quartet. She is a veteran of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, as well as the Regional and All State Honor Orchestras and is able to help students prepare for those experiences. As an instructor, Heather teaches violin and viola technique and repertoire through classical and fiddle styles. She combines note reading with playing by ear to allow students to reach optimal musical growth and success.
Rates: Call for rates
Lesson Days: Saturday
Instruments Taught: Violin, Viola, Cello
Inquire about Heather's availability.
Mike Hall
Mike Hall has been a working musician, sound engineer, arranger, and teacher since 1996. His musical experience includes playing Tuba and Bass with various groups; styles including Classical, Jazz, Dixie Land, Rock, and Hip Hop. Studying tuba under sam Pilafian and Pat Sheridan, he has helped with the production of the popular educational video for band, The Breathing Gym. He has also been the sound engineer in many theater performances and live concerts including the tuba duo Dos Amigos. Currently, Mike is the assistant band director at Marcos de Niza High School and plays bass with the popular R&B band, Crayon Sky.
Rates: $20/30-minutes
Lesson Days: Tuesday/Thursday
Instruments Taught: Bass Guitar, Low Brass
Inquire about Mike's availability.
Stephanie Harger Gardner
Stefanie is currently completing a Doctorate of Musical Art’s degree in Clarinet Performance at Arizona State University. She received M.M. and B.M. degrees from ASU, where she has performed in a wide variety of ensembles including ASU’s Chamber Players, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Clarinet Choir, and several other chamber ensembles. Gardner won the 2007 Concerto Competition at ASU and was a finalist in 2006. She has played principal clarinet with the Symphony of the Southwest, Eb clarinet with Arizona Opera, bass clarinet for the 2008 Viola Congress, and is a member of Trio de Café and the Mill Avenue Chamber Players. Gardner has studied with and performed in master classes for Robert Spring, Eddy Vanoosthuyse, Jorge Montilla, William O. Smith, Larry Combs, Robert Riseling, Ronald Van Spaendonck, Maurita Mead, Nathan Williams, and Marie Picard. Stefanie maintains a large private teaching studio in the Phoenix area. Many of Gardner's students have participated in Regional and All-State honor bands and have received music scholarships. She is currently a teaching assistant in the music history and band departments at ASU.
Rates: Call for rates
Lesson Days: Monday/Saturday
Instruments Taught: Clarinet
Inquire about Stephanie's availability.
Bill Humbert
Bill Humbert received his Bachelor and Master of Music in Education degrees from Arizona State University and is currently the Director of Bands at Glendale Community College in Glendale, Arizona. Prior to his appointment at the college, Mr. Humbert was the Director of Bands at Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona.
Rates: Call for rates
Lesson Days: Monday/Wednesday
Instruments Taught: Trumpet
Inquire about Bill's availability.
Rachel Jurkowski
Rachel Jurkowski graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in Cello Performance and Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame, where she studied with Karen Buranskas, student of Janos Starker and Aldo Parisot. In 2007, she traveled to northern Peru to play with the Symphony Orchestra of Trujillo, where she worked with students of all ages and levels at the Regional Conservatory and with a non-profit that taught orchestral instruments to underprivileged children on the outskirts of Trujillo. She is Suzuki certified, having studied Philosophy and Cello Book 1 with Tanya Carey and Cello Book 2 with Beth Goldstein-McKee. Rachel currently plays with the Scottsdale Arts Orchestra and is a veteran of the Dobson High School Symphony Orchestra and Arizona Regional Orchestras and is able to prepare older students for these experiences as well. She returned home to Mesa, AZ in January of 2010 and is excited to open her first cello studio in her hometown! You can find more information about her on her blog.
Rates: Call for rates
Lesson Days: Thursday
Instruments Taught: Cello
Inquire about Rachel's availability.
Keith Kelly
Saxophonist Keith Kelly, a Northern California native, holds degrees from the Conservatory of Music at University of the Pacific and Arizona State University. As a woodwind specialist, Kelly has performed with the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony, Natalie Cole, Bear Valley Music Festival, and the Berkeley Saxophone Quartet. Currently in his second year of a DMA in Music Education (Jazz Studies), Kelly maintains an active private teaching studio in addition to his faculty responsibilities at Paradise Valley Community College and teaching assistant duties at Arizona State University.
Rates: Call for rates
Lesson Days: Friday/Saturday
Instruments Taught: Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone
Inquire about Keith's availability.
Tracy Kimbrell
Tracy has been playing and performing for 20 years and has been teaching since the age of 18. He teaches all styles of guitar, bass and banjo. Tracy is currently working on his Masters degree in Music Education. He is noted for his ability to explain difficult concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. Tracy will show you the right way to develop your musical knowledge and proper technique. "If you learn the musical side first, then any style you learn will come much more easily."
Rates: Call for rates
Lesson Days: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday
Other Instruments Taught: Bass Guitar, Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele
Inquire about Tracy's availability.
Erin Lanus
Erin has been studying music for over 21 years, including 10 years of classical violin and 6 years performing Traditional Irish Fiddle and Irish Step Dance. She has studied with some of the fiddlers from the show "Lord of the Dance" including a 12-time All Ireland fiddling champion. She has performed with numerous local bands and at many festivals and venues in both Arizona and California. In addition to her music background, Erin graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and also has experience working with very young children and children with special needs. She has been teaching for over 7 years and specializes in very young beginners, adult beginners, and Irish fiddling.
Rates: $20/30-minutes
Lesson Days: Monday/Tuesday
Instruments Taught: Violin (Classical & Fiddling)
Inquire about Erin's availability.
Jeff Lauffer
Jeff studied Jazz & Classical music at ASU where he earned his Bachelors Degree in Music. He has been teaching and performing for over 10 years and teaches all styles of music at any level. Jeff tailors his lessons to fit each students interests and level of experience, and is very attentative to keeping things challenging, yet fun and easy to understand. Lessons are taught on a weekly basis.
Rates: $22/30-minutes
Lesson Days: Wednesday
Instruments Taught: Guitar
Inquire about Jeff's availability.
Kelly Pearson
Kelly graduated Cum Laude from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa with a degree in Piano Performance. Her awards include the prestigious Meistersinger Piano Scholarship, various district and statewide Teacher's Association awards, and she was named as Regent Scholar at Wartburg College. In 2000, Kelly moved to Arizona and began teaching at The Music Store. She is a member of the Music Teachers National Association, Arizona State Music Teachers Association, the Phoenix Music Teachers Association, as well as the East Valley Music Teachers Association. She has served in various positions in the local associations and her students regularly participate in sponsored performing opportunities. Currently, she is in the process of becoming a National Certified Teacher through MTNA. Kelly's love of music and positive attitude provides a welcome learning environment for students of all ages.
Rates: $95/month (One 30-minute lesson each week)
Lesson Days: Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday
Instruments Taught: Piano
Inquire about Kelly's availability.
Scott Pearson
Scott graduated from ASU with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Performance. He prides himself on being versatile in any style of music or playing situation and has a method of teaching that provides his students with a complete knowledge of the guitar. After more than 15 years of playing professionally, Scott can still be found performing throughout the week with his cover band "Chris Parker Project", the "Jackrabbit House Band", at Chalice Christian Church, or as a side man with numerous groups throughout the Valley. Scott is currently accepting new students, and regardless of age or ability, his students are encouraged to have fun, learn, and share their music.
Rates: $22.50/30-minutes
Lesson Days: Tuesday/Wednesday
Other Instruments Taught: Bass Guitar, Guitar
Inquire about Scott's availability.
Lawrence Petross
Lawrence teaches acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and bass guitar. He holds a degree from Musicians Institute's Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA. Lawrence has been a professional musician for more than 20 years and has performed a number of different music styles. He has been teaching at The Music Store for 13 years and teaches Rock, Blues, Jazz, Fusion, Country, Funk, Pop, and Classical music styles. Lawrence offers customized, individual lessons for beginning to advanced students aimed at accelerated progress in a fun learning environment.
Rates: Call for rates
Lesson Days: Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Saturday
Other Instruments Taught: Bass Guitar, Guitar
Inquire about Lawrence's availability.
Alden Powers
Alden has been teaching guitar in a private and class setting for over a decade. Alden is on faculty at Mesa Community College and has also taught at the National Guitar Workshop. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Guitar Performance from the University of Miami (FL), where he studied with members of the Bee Gees and the Miami Sound Machine. Alden has toured all throughout the United States and has opened for national artists. Alden enjoys teaching all levels and styles of guitar and bass. He tailors his lessons to best fit the goals of his students, employing a fun method that will provide a lifetime of musical enjoyment.
Rates: $25/30-minutes
Lesson Days: Monday/Wednesday/Friday
Other Instruments Taught: Bass Guitar, Guitar
Inquire about Alden's availability.
Jamilyn Richardson
Jamilyn is completing her Masters degree in performance at Arizona State University where she is a student of Dr. Katie McLin. She started her education/performance training at Northern Arizona University where she studied the Suzuki method of teaching with Louise Scott and Karin Hallberg. As a performer, Jamilyn has been a member of the Flagstaff and Tempe Symphonies and also performs with the ASU Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Musica Nova Orchestra of Scottsdale. Jamilyn has been teaching privately for the last six years and teaches students of all ages."
Rates: $20/30-minutes
Lesson Days: Monday
Instruments Taught: Violin
Inquire about Jamilyn's availability.
Ashley Stahl
Ashley Stahl earned a bachelor's degree in flute performance from the Florida State University where she studied with Eva Amsler; currently she studies flute at the master's level with Dr. Elizabeth Buck at Arizona State University. Ashley has been the recipient of the FSU's coveted Brautlecht music award (2008) and the winner of Florida Flute Association college young artist competition. As an enthusiastic advocate of the flute, Ashley is a member of many flute associations nationwide and has performed in masterclasses with some of the world's best flute players. While at Florida State, Ashley performed with FSU's top ensembles, including the symphony orchestra and the wind orchestra, and participated in several summer music festivals. In her teaching, Ashley strives to create an open and positive atmosphere, and she welcomes students of all ages and musical backgrounds.
Rates: Call for rates
Lesson Days: Tuesday
Instruments Taught: Flute
Inquire about Ashley's availability.
Camille Tierney
Camille has been singing opera and classical music professionally for the past 15 years. She has earned both a Bachelor's degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a Masters degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in Vocal Performance. She has sung throughout the United States, most notably in the New York City Opera National Company and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Locally she has sung with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra and Arizona Opera. As a teacher, Camille helps singers of all ages and abilities strengthen their voices and develop confidence in performing.
Rates: Call for rates
Lesson Days: Tuesday
Instruments Taught: Voice
Inquire about Camille's availability.
Martin Van Klompenberg
Martin J. Van Klompenberg is currently studying at Arizona State University with Dr. Albie Micklich. Originally from the Michigan, Martin earned his Bachelor of Arts in music at Western Michigan University, where he studied with Dr. Wendy Rose. He had done additional studies at Carnegie Mellon University, with Philip Pandolfi, as well as independently with John Clapp of the Grand Rapids (MI) Symphony. As a performer, he has played with orchestras such as the West Shore Symphony in Muskegon, Michigan, Southwest Michigan Symphony in St. Joseph, Michigan and La Porte County Symphony Orchestra in Michigan City, Indiana. During the 2006-2007 season, he held the position of Second Bassoon with the Holland Symphony Orchestra in Holland, Michigan. He also performed with the Maple Leaf Trio, a student organized group consisting of undergraduate flute, bassoon and piano students from Western Michigan University, and also presented recitals at Western Michigan University in March of 2005 and February of 2006 and at the Katzin Concert Hall at the School of Music of Arizona State University in March of 2009.
Rates: Call for rates
Lesson Days: Saturday
Instruments Taught: Bassoon
Inquire about Martin's availability.
Robert Wright
Robert Wright is an Arizona native who is currently completing an advanced degree in Music at Arizona State University. His collegiate education began at Chandler-Gilbert Community College where he was cast as Papageno in Mozart's Magic Flute, before receiving a full scholarship to ASU. While at ASU, Robert appeared in productions of Elixir of Love, The Garden, and Ghost Voices. In addition to musical theatre, Robert sings professionally for weddings and church events. He is passionate about teaching, believing the human voice to be the most challenging and uniquely magnificent of all instruments.
Rates: Call for rates
Lesson Days: Monday/Saturday
Instruments Taught: Voice
Inquire about Robert's availability.
Tom Young
Tom is a graduate of the renowned Berklee School of Music. For the past 20 years, he has enjoyed a diverse career as a soloist, band leader, theater conductor, studio musician, music teacher, and composer. Tom teaches Jazz, Classical, and Popular styles. He uses the TEY music method for instruction "Blending Tradition with Innovation."
Rates: $23/30-minutes
Lesson Days: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday
Instruments Taught: Flute, Piano, Saxophone
Inquire about Tom's availability.
Susan Yuen
Susie graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Music Education from Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, WI. She has been playing oboe for 13 years. Susie has performed with the Maranatha Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Maranatha Orchestra, and the Maranatha Chamber Singers during her four years of college. While touring with the Maranatha Chamber Singers, she had an opportunity to sing as well as accompany the choir on piano and oboe. She also traveled throughout the West for tour summer as a school representative with an ensemble. Susie is Director of Bands at Tri-City Christian Academy, where she also teaches oboe and piano privately. She has studied oboe extensively and enjoys passing her knowledge onto the next generation of oboists.
Rates: Call for rates
Lesson Days: Thursday
Instruments Taught: Oboe
Inquire about Susan's availability.