Meet our Teachers
A quick meet and greet with some of the most talented musicians and teachers in the Twin Cities
Cullen anderson
Cullen is a multi-instrumentalist whose skills were forged in bluegrass jam circles. Cullen was originally a banjo player and also became a guitarist. He pursued a Bachelor's in Music Business and Entrepreneurship which refined his musicianship and expanded his skills to include audio production. Throughout his music career Cullen has grown to love playing everything from jazz to country to rock and loves sharing the communal side of music with everyone he comes in contact with
Logan Barat
Logan is a trained Opera singer, earning his Master’s in Opera Performance at Wichita State University. He has performed with the Ohio Light Opera, and was selected as one of the prestigious Santa Fe Apprentice artists in 2020. Logan has also performed several leading roles in operas and musicals. Logan has also had training in Germany and Italy. Aside from voice, Logan has proficiency in drums, piano, and violin. Logan is really excited to start rocking out with new students and have fun developing a passion for music.
Emma barat
Emma is a multi-instrumentalist musician and educator from west-central Minnesota and has a degree in music from Concordia College, Moorhead. She has spent the last four years teaching K-5 elementary music in public schools. While in school, she had the opportunity to march in the 2012 Inaugural Parade, participate in numerous Minnesota All-State choirs, and tour around the country. Emma’s greatest joy is watching students grow in their knowledge and love of music.
Jacob burgess
Jacob is a professional drummer from Minneapolis who has been playing drums for most of his life. He has played drums for many churches and has performed on multiple stages, including playing at Lollapalooza Music Festival in 2021. His goal for his students is to help them understand the importance/role of their instrument so they can excel as a musician and find their own unique sound.
Andy Erickson-peterson
Andy EP is a drummer with over 20+ years experience playing a variety of styles including metal, funk, hip hop, jazz, classical percussion and pop. He has a Bachelors of Music Performance from Wisconsin-River Falls, has studied with a few drum masters and has a published instructional book titled Groove Manipulation. While teaching Andy focuses on how to play the drums safely without hurting your hands/body, how to listen/play along to your favorite music, mastering fundamental grooves/rudiments and how to improvise!
eva huntington
Eva is a classically trained, well rounded guitar player with the ability to teach a variety of styles including, jazz, classical, rock, pop, blues and country. She is versed in music theory, Suzuki method, and at reading music. She has experience teaching children including experience working with special needs students. Eva has performed with a wide variety of groups, and was the band leader of a Beatles tribute band. Eva holds a BM in guitar performance from McNally Smith College of Music.
David Introwitz-williams
David is a musician and keyboardist based out of Minneapolis. He began playing piano at a young age, studying under classical and, later, jazz teachers. His own music has been released on record labels across the country for a decade. In recent years, he has premiered original works by local composers, performed with a big band ensemble as a featured soloist, and accompanied congregations. He is currently finishing up a degree in music.
francis johnson
Francis Emil Johnson is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from New Ulm, Minnesota. He currently leads a band that performs in the Twin Cities, and has recorded and released two albums. Johnson is a former member of the New Ulm Municipal orchestra. He has studied piano with Connie Jacob, voice with Shannon Stuckey and John Grau, and guitar with Maja Radovanlija and Bruno Marcondes. Francis teaches guitar, piano and voice.
nancy masson
Nancy is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist with over 40 years of teaching experience, 29 of them being a K-8 classroom music teacher. She has earned two B.A. degrees from Macalester College, one in Composing and Arranging, the other in Music Education. She has been performing in various bands since the 80’s and is currently performing in the Heart tribute band, Heartless, based in Minneapolis. Her highlight has been a performance last summer at First Avenue in The Mainroom.
Josh o’meara
Josh is a guitarist/vocalist/pianist originally from Sacramento, CA. He is a worship leader in the Twin Cities and has been working professionally leading teams of musicians for several years. Josh is passionate about seeing students grow into their identity as musical artists, and loves any opportunity to walk alongside them in that journey.
rachael Itzen
Rachael is a multi-instrumental music teacher from southern Minnesota and has a bachelor's degree in Music Education from MSU Mankato, and is also the Manager at Rock U. She has experience teaching pre-k all the way through high school. Rachael also loves to travel and collect weird and interesting instruments. She spent a few months living and teaching music in Costa Rica. Rachael has played with a variety of bands ranging from folk bands to orchestras to marching bands. Her teaching is focused on finding musical sparks in her students to help build lifelong enjoyment.
Jake schultz
Jake has been a regular in the Twin Cities/Fargo music scene for over 5 years now. Playing in 4 bands currently and writing music for all of them (Agony Reigns, The Motion Mosaic, Maul and Klazomaniac), Jake is well versed in what it takes to be a proficient musician both on and off the stage. Whether it’s guitar, drums, bass, songwriting, he can help you achieve your goals and inspire you in any style/genre you prefer. His main goal is to make sure you have fun and take away at least 1 new thing every lesson. He’s a lover of music, and wants to share that same passion with you! Jake is also the Assistant Manager at Rock U.
Grey tison
Grey Tison is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and teacher based out of St. Paul. He specializes in piano, percussion of all kinds, accordion, theory, production/composition, and the basics of music and improvisation on all band and orchestra instruments. There is a strong emphasis on using technology for new creative outlets, as well as jamming in-person. Grey uses his education and performing experience in a blend of teaching for any music lover, any age, and any passion.
Ben Valine
Ben Valine is a multi-instrumentalist currently based in Minnesota. He has performed with Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs, and has opened for John Legend, Sting, and The Jacksons. Ben has previously taught on the music faculties of Belmont University in Nashville and Judson University in Illinois. He has master's degrees in commercial guitar and classical viola from Belmont, and an undergraduate degree in music from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul.
Rhea wikstrom
Rhea is a pianist/vocalist with a music degree from the University of Northwestern. She is a worship leader at her church and has been leading teams of musicians for over 8 years. Rhea specializes in helping students learn how to develop their skill as well as their confidence in sharing their passions. Her greatest desire is to see students fall in love with music and use that gift to inspire those around them.
Kale winship
Kale is a drummer and educator from Minneapolis. His main goal for his students is to not only elevate their playing, but to build their confidence and character through music. Kale has been paid to play worship music in churches professionally since he was thirteen years old and traveled on tour extensively. Kale has years of live and studio experience with his band "Sugar Free Mercury" and other various projects. He specializes in playing rock, pop, pop-punk, 80's, and metal music.