Taking lessons at Cadenza is easy, click to see our lesson policies. Gift certificates are available. For more information, click here to send us some information and we will have a teacher contact you. You can also call us at 651.644.3611. Our teachers set their own rates and schedules, so you can start any time.

Percussion
Eron Woods - graduate of the University of Miami with a degree in jazz performance. He has performed with artists such as Clint Holmes, Carol Lawrence, "The Spinners," "The Drifters," "The Coasters," and Dominck Allen. Eron started his drumming career with a traveling circus.

Piano
Ellen Lease - graduate of University of Minnesota. Ellen performs in both classical and jazz idioms with the Ellen Lease/Pat Moriarty Quintet, as well as many local jazz and new music groups. Ellen is a winner of both McKnight and Bush Fellowships.

Wes Ruelle - graduate of William Paterson University, known as one of the top jazz programs, where he studied with many New York jazz greats. He also studied classical piano repertoire. He performs in a variety of genres, including jazz, classical, rock, funk, and blues.

Bowed Strings
Laurel Browne, violin and viola - graduate of the University of Minnesota. She has studied Suzuki method and uses a mix of Suzuki and classical teaching methods. Performs with the Minnesota Opera Orchestra and Minnesota Sinfonia. When she’s not playing, you might find Laurel playing her dulcimer, working a crossword, or riding her bike—just not all at the same time.

Ramiro Alvarez, cello - Ramiro has studied at the University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, and the Felix T. Garzón Music Conservatory in Cordoba, Argentina. He has performed with the Minnesota Opera and the Argentine National Symphony Orchestra. He uses both Suzuki methods and classical methods in teaching. In his spare time, Ramiro likes to arrange rock classics—think of the Beatles and Queen—for cello ensemble.

Guitar/Bass
Ben Connelly - graduate of Macalester College. Studied guitar, music theory, voice, cello and African drumming. Toured with the rock band Steeplejack. Ben's CDs are available at Cadenza Music.

Chris Micek - studied classical guitar at the University of Minnesota with Jim McGuire. Chris is a first call player and can often be heard performing with Cadenza Music's Jeff King.

Erik Fratzke, bass—studied at St. Mary's College with Dr. John Paulson, as well as a summer session at Berklee College of Music. He was selected Best Bassist of the year by the MN Music Academy in '93, '95 and '98. He currently can be heard with Happy Apple.

Michael Zimmerman, guitar—performs professionally in the Twin Cities area with the Kurt Jorgenson Band. Michael studied music at Waldorf College and audio recording at Brown College. He teaches many styles of guitar playing, for beginning to advanced students.

Paul Storms - graduate of University of Minnesota, studied with Jeffery Van. Performed in master classes with Sharon Isbin, Christopher Parkening, and Larry Coryell. He also performed with Larry Coryell at the Ordway. Finalist in Schubert Club Competition (bested by Sharon Isbin.) He's performed live on KDWB, WCCO (TV) and KTCA.

Travis Henspeter, guitar, songwriting - graduate of Macalester College. Son of a rock bass player, Travis performs solo and with numerous bands which frequently include one or more of his 3 musician brothers. Travis likes to work with the beginning to intermediate student, and prefers a simple, fun approach to learning.

Trent Baarspul, guitar—Studying towards a degree in music performance at McNally Smith College of Music. He studies guitar with Bobby Stanton and plays with many groups in town, performing and touring with original band Franki Lee. He has been teaching for six years and enjoys creating a fun and engaging learning experience tailored to the strengths of the student..

Brian Barnes – mandolin, lap steel. Brian teaches students of all ages and specializes in beginning adults. He has toured Japan, Europe, the U.S. and Canada) as a Bluegrass musician; performed Country music in eastern Europe; Irish music in America and Ireland; blues in Hungary; French music at Lincoln Center; American Swing and Latin music in Vienna. Brian is always busy teaching, composing, performing, and recording—it's a big, big world full of great music!

Brass and Woodwinds
Scott Anderson - brass, studied at Bemidji State and University of Minnesota. He has been a member of Dr. David Baldwin's Summit Hill Brass for 25 years. Scott has been teaching privately for over ten years.

Andy Nelson - clarinet and saxophone, studied with Pat Moriarity, and graduated with a music degree from DePaul University. After several years of playing in New York and on cruise ships, Andy returned to St. Paul to teach and perform.

Jeff King - sax and clarinet, studied at the University of Minnesota with Ruben Haugen, and at Cadenza Music with Pat Moriarty. Toured South America with the Lakewood Big Band, and performed with Clark Terry, Bill Wattrous, Bud Shank and others. Jeff is a first call sax player in the Twin Cities.

Karen Hansen - clarinet specialist, saxophone, In addition to positions with Dolce Wind Quintet and Rochester Symphony Orchestra, Karen is principal clarinetist with Bloomington Symphony Orchestra and Mississippi Valley Orchestra. She is a Thursday Musical performing artist and does freelance work for Classical MPR, The Schubert Club, Rochester Choral Arts Ensemble, and others. During vacations she is a music lecturer on cruise ships..

Dorothy Sauser-Monnig - flute, graduate of Macalester College, MFA in flute from University of Minnesota. Dorothy has performed with a variety of ensembles including the Minneapolis Civic Orchestra, Westminster Winds, and various jazz groups as well as solo recitals.

Brian Greene - oboe, Master of Music, Cleveland Institute, studied with John Mack. Brian was principal oboe for the Honolulu Symphony until 2008; since his move to Minnesota, he frequently substitutes with The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and The Minnesota Orchestra. Brian teaches oboe players of all levels.

Jessica B. Nelson - bassoon, Degree in bassoon and piano from the University of Minnesota, Morris where she studied bassoon with Russell Peterson. After graduating from UMM, she lived in Sao Paulo, Brazil for 5 years and studied at the Universidade Livre de Musica. She was also second bassoonist in the Orquestra Experimental de Repertorio. When not playing the bassoon, you can find her enjoying her time at the gym, gardening, and enjoying the outdoors.