Music Lessons

Just added to our crew is

Kris Shewmate - extraordinare Banjo teacher on Thursday only!

See below

Get Started or Take Your Playing to the Next Level!

Mid Rivers Music is pleased to offer exceptional private music lessons with experienced and accomplished instructors. Mid Rivers Music Studios provide an educational atmosphere for higher learning and tutoring for people of all ages and musical backgrounds. Our teachers offer guitar, piano, string, percussion, woodwind, brass, and vocal lessons for aspiring students, whether you are a beginner or just want to brush up on an old hobby. Our teachers will train you to become a well-rounded musician with their knowledge and skills. When you begin lessons, your teacher will lead you through the recommended curriculum and help you to apply it successfully. Our private lessons make music education available at a personal and affordable level. Private lessons also enable our instructors to tailor material to each student so everyone can learn at their own speed. There are not the interruptions that one can experience in a classroom at school. Each lesson is one, half-hour session per week, focusing the student on achievement in the performing arts.

Lessons are $17.00 each week 30 minute private session.

Register for Classes ASAP while we still have openings!

Lessons are available for the following instruments:

Guitar/Fretted Instruments

Electric - Acoustic - Classical - Bass - Dobro - Banjo - Mandolin

Piano / Keyboard

Performance - Sight Reading - Theory - Technique

Drums / Percussion

Performance - Theory - Technique - Rhythm - Style

Strings

Violin - Viola - Cello

Woodwinds

Saxophone (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, & Baritone) - Clarinet - Bass Clarinet - Flute/Piccolo - Oboe - Bassoon

Brass

Trumpet/Cornet - French Horn - Trombone - Baritone - Tuba/Sousaphone

Vocal

Technique - Theory - Voice Training - Performance - Style

Harmonica

General technique and Blues/Cross Style playing

 

Biography of Teachers

Guitar & Other Fretted Instruments

Kris Shewmate - Banjo

Mr. Shewmate plays and teaches various styles and techniques on the banjo. If your looking for a professional playe capable of teaching all levels you need look no further. Kris first learned the banjo at age 16 from a family friend and started playing the "Earl Scruggs" style. Moving around the country after high school Kris was introduced to many stlyes of the banjo from artists like Tony Furtado, Chris Cash and his greatest influence Bela Fleck. Kris plays in the St Louis area and records his music - aspiring to "make it" as a professional player, but like he said in his interview "one has to be patient and if the time comes I'll be ready." After listening to Kris play we immediately hired him and MRMI is very happy to have a quality musicican such as he on the staff.

Steve Podgorski--Guitar & Bass Guitar

Mr. Podgorski holds a bachelor of arts degree in music from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Steve performs in a local band in St. Louis and has been teaching guitar for 12 years. Playing and teaching has been a dedication for many years and he is happy to be with the crew at MRMI to teach.  Whether it is beginning or professional one has to be ready to improve and Mr. Podgorski can help with style and theory to students of all ages. Sign up with Steve today he has openings on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Greg Dunn–Guitar & Bass Guitar

Greg has been playing the guitar since the age of 12. He is knowledgable in the areas of guitar theory and performance. He plays Sunday services at his church. He has experience in the following bands: Day of Deliverance, the Orbz, Elements Of, as well as solo acoustic projects. This has allowed him to play in venues such as Pops, The Creepy Crawl, Fredrick's Music Lounge, The High Pointe, The Red Sea, and The Way Out Club, among others. He is currently in a metal band called The Calusari. Greg is experienced in teaching adults and children both the guitar and bass guitar.

Eddie Frillman–Guitar {Electric/Acoustic/Classical/Bass}

Eddie is a fifth-generation musician who has thirteen years of experience in playing and performing all styles of the guitar and bass guitar.   A graduate of Drury University in 2001, he is an excellent guitarist with good communication skills and has very proficient knowledge in the fields of music theory, music history, guitar technique, guitar sound, and sound reinforcement.   His experience enables him not only to cultivate an understanding of these areas in the student, but to also show the "tricks of the trade" that aren't in the book.

Cory Hart–Guitar & Bass Guitar

Mr. Hart has been playing the guitar for 8 years and is well versed at contemporary rock, jazz, country, and blues style guitar playing. Some of the people and bands that influence Cory include White Stripes, ACDC, Led Zeppelin, and Aerosmith. Cory came to us as a student of Dave Mulford. Cory is playing in the Black Vista Highway Patrol band. They are a 4 piece band playing original music of which Cory writes some of the music. Cory can take the beginning student to intermediate student and teach them the foundations to being a top notch guitar player. Mr Hart is currentyl taking new students on Tuesday, so get signed up now! Call the store at (636) 970-3385.

Dave Mulford–Guitar & Bass Guitar-Banjo-Mandolin

Dave has been playing music a total of 40 years and professionally for 30 years. A person of many talents, but the one strong point is his ability to "pass on" his knowledge of skills to people musically. Dave has been playing the guitar for 30 years professionally. Mid Rivers Music is pleased to have the expertise Dave has brought us to continue our tradition of music education. Dave is also very versatile at introducing the novice to beginning harmonica and moving him/her onto the technique of the popular "blues" "blues/rock" style. give Mid Rivers Music a call and we can set you up with a time to start playing the harmonica!

David Pasquarello–Guitar & Bass Guitar & Keyboard

David has performed in bands and solo for over 35 years. He is fluent in all popular styles of guitar, bass, and keyboard. He has had formal training in voice, classical guitar, bass, keyboard, and music theory at the college level. Dave has experience teaching people from all age groups and abilities. He still performs every week, and is constantly learning new songs and licks. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, Dave can help you get your playing on the track to success. Dave can get the keyboard student playing any style including rock and roll in a short time with his unique approach.

John Schomburg–Guitar & Bass Guitar

John has been playing the guitar for 9 years and has developed into a very good player and is now ready to pass on his skills as a teacher. Playing since 6th grade John learned the basics of guitar playing and continued to take lessons through high school and into college. His roots are in rock, but he can also teach classical guitar, theory of guitar, and bass guitar. We are glad to have John teaching, call us and set up a time with him and you too will see how good our teachers can be in music training.

Piano & Voice

Angela Minahan–Piano & Voice

Angela comes highly recomended to us from the faculty at Lindenwood University. Angela is very experienced with piano and theory and is an excellent teacher. Angela has played since 2nd grade and is very knowlegeable on the piano whether it is performing or accompanying. She has been singing in her school choirs and is doing a double major in college at this time majoring in voice and piano. Angela's understanding of music and voice technique will keep the voice students challenged and singing with proper technique to benefit the student in voice. Give MRMI a call and we can get you started with Angela on your music experience.

Pam Roussin–Piano

Pam Roussin is a seasoned musician and teacher. Her experience includes solo and chamber recitals throughout the United States, Canada, and England. In addition Pam held positions as Pianist, Musical Assistant, Piano Faculty, and Artist-in-Residence for the Portland Opera Association and Portland State University of Oregon respectively . In Missouri, Pam worked as Piano Faculty andStaff Accompanist at St. Louis University and St. Charles Community College. At Marvin Park United Methodist Church, Pam currently is the Music Director and Organist. Pam's formal schooling has earned her a Bachelor of Music from the University of Illinois at Champaign- Urbana, and a Master of Music from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Upon graduating, Pam displayed high honors in Piano Performance and Outstanding Graduate Performance Award.

Victoria Hood–Piano & Voice

Victoria is currently enrolled at U. of Missouri at St. Louis. She is working on her degree in music education with a emphasis on piano and voice. Ms. Hood has performed with her show choirs in high school and college. We are happy to have such an amazing teacher as Victoria to help your student with their music. Give her a try you will see the benefits very quickly how she can make music fun.

Carrie Johnson - Piano & Voice

Ms. Johnson is a graduate of Music Education from Lindenwood University. She can teach all levels of piano and voice. Ms. Johnson sings and plays in her church and would like to introduce new students to the happy times one can receive from music. Sign up for lessons with her and experience live music.

Drums and Percussion

Joe Layton–Drums and Percussion

Joe has played drums for 12 years. His playing experience includes drumline at Francis Howell High School as well as performing in many area rock bands. Joe is working towards a degree in either Music Education or Jazz Studies at Webster University.

Josh Morgan -Drums and Percussion

Josh began percussion at Troy Middle School under the guidance of Mr. Larry Polman.  After getting a taste of the concert band Mr. Morgan attended Troy High and started playing the trap set and is currently enrolled in music at St. Charles Community College. For "contemporary" style of the drum set or beginning school percussion Josh can get you started on the correct path to playing drums correctly. Sign up with Josh now. (636) 970-3385.

Stringed Instruments

David Lanphere–Violin/Viola/Cello

Mr. Lanphere has a Bachelor's degree in music education from Missouri State University. Mr Lanphere earned the concertmaster chair while attending Missouri State. David went on to study his love of music and earned his masters degree from Southern Illinois University. Mr Lanpheree brings many years of music knowledge to Mid Rivers Music string department. Give us a call at 636 970-3385 and we can set up a time for you to start learning the universal language of music!

Kristina Speraneo - Violin &

beginning viola and cello

Kristina has been playing the violin for 15 years. "Kristy" holds a bachelor of arts degree in music from Truman State University and is currently enrolled in the masters program at Truman. We are happy to have Kristy on board to teach our students on Monday and Saturday. In addition to her teaching skills Kristy also plays with the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra and freelances weddings and private funcions.

Concert Band Instruments

Jason Pierson–Woodwinds (Flute/Clarinet/Saxophone/Bassoon/Oboe)

Jason has over 20 years playing experience with woodwinds. Mr Pierson started in 1984 with clarinet andsoon moved to his prinicpal instrument - the bassoon. In the time since Mr. Pierson has qualified to teach the flute, oboe, and saxophone drawing from his background for the love of music and born talent. Whether you need help with beginning school, or even college level aptitude Jason can help with your specific instrument.

Stephanie Frosch--Flute

Ms. Frosch can help the beginner to intermediate player with her expert knowledge of the flute. Take your playing to a higher level with Ms. Frosch to help you. A graduate at Truman University, Ms. Frosch has worked extensively since elementary school with flute and flute lessons. Sign up for Saturday lessons with Ms. Frosch - phone (636) 970-3385.

Erin Howard -Trumpet - Trombone -

Baritone and French horn - Tuba

Miss Howard is a graduate of Frances Howell Central High School and University of Missouri with a degree in Music education. Her principal instrument is trumpet, but has played all the brass instruments for her degree. We are very glad to have Erin on board. She has built up a great deal of experience in playing with bands and has excellent references from the local band teachers from the area. Call the store to set up a time with Erin for that personal instruction in band playing. (636) 970-3385.

Harmonica

Dave Mulford–Harmonica (see above)

More About Lessons

Currently, Mid Rivers Music Studios offers lessons Monday through Saturday. There are no lessons on Sundays! We are closed on Sundays until the holiday season. Lessons can be any time on Saturday (10:00 am-4:30 pm), and generally evenings on the weekdays (2:00-7:30 pm). However, all lessons must be finished at 8:00 when we close on weekdays. Lessons run from 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and 1 hour depending upon your schedule, the teacher's schedule, and available openings.

Music Lesson Policies

When a new student signs up to start lessons, there are some agreements that the student and the responsible party must approve of.

1. There are four lessons in each month that must be paid for. This is on a basis of a four-week month, where there is one lesson per week. Incidentally, if there is a month with five week/lessons, the fifth lesson is free with perfect attendance.
2. All lessons must be paid in full at the beginning of the month to ensure the students time slot. If a lesson is started mid-month, only the remaining lessons of the month are due. If the lessons are not paid for by the second lesson, than a late charge of $5.00 will be applied, and the student will not be able to attend the lesson(s) until tuition is paid in full.
3. If a student is to miss a lesson, it is his/her best interests to call the store 24 hours in advance. We will relay the message to the teacher as soon as you call us. If you know you must miss a lesson due to illness, vacation, etc., please let your teacher know in advance or call the store. NO LESSONS OR MAKE UP SESSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED IF YOU DO NOT CALL IN ADVANCE. This is to benefit both the student and the teacher.
4. Proper etiquette must be displayed at each lesson by the students and patrons in the waiting area. There is no eating, drinking, smoking, or pets allowed in the studio facilities. The students and parents in the waiting room must remain quiet, diligent, and respectful to the students and teachers in lesson.
5. Mid Rivers Music sponsors two annual recitals every year. There is one spring recital and a winter recital. All students are encouraged to perform and attend each recital to experience the pragmatic trueness of the performing arts. Each recital is geared for the perfomer to experience playing his/her instrument in a live setting. This is an option to the lessons, but it is especially recommended for the more serious students. If the teacher believes that the student is capable of performing in a recital, than it is decidedly important that the parents make arrangements for the student to attend.