Charlotte Rosenthal - Piano & Voice

Charlotte is a graduate of Concordia University Wisconsin’s Music Program with a passion for individual instruction. Starting lessons with her mother in first grade, it was only a matter of time before Charlotte knew performing and teaching music was in her future. She has taught students from kindergarten to retirees. Charlotte’s favorite part of teaching is watching her students grow, and individualizing instruction to suit each one.

She has accompanied choirs and led pit orchestras for children’s musical theater. Teaching lessons throughout her college career, Charlotte has been teaching at the WSOM since August 2021 and hopes to inspire students to pursue their interests, musical and otherwise, by fostering perseverance and constant learning.

Lindsay Yang - Piano

Passionate about music, Lindsay Yang moved to Milwaukee to study piano with Dr. Elena Abend at UW-Milwaukee to earn her Master’s Degree in Music Education. She has performed in musical theatre productions throughout the Milwaukee area, including the Village Playhouse, Theater Unchained and others. Lindsay enjoys teaching piano to students of all ages and abilities.

Alexa Furuta - Piano & Voice

Alexa comes from a musical family and began singing at an early age. Throughout her life, she has been deeply involved in the arts, participating in numerous choirs, bands, orchestras, A Cappella groups and show choirs. She has also been actively involved in various musical theater productions.

Currently, Alexa is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in both Voice and Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. In her studies, she excels in a variety of musical styles, including classical, musical theater and contemporary music. Additionally, she was granted the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research, conducting an ethnographic study on the Milwaukee popular music scene and how local musicians build and sustain their careers.

Alexa is passionate about community, local arts and collaboration. She believes that music is for everyone and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive musical environment.

Hanna Fahl - Voice & Piano

Hanna is a singer-songwriter, performer, and teacher who loves sharing her knowledge and passion with others. She aims to create a collaborative, safe, and judgement free space during her lessons. Hanna’s two year music education at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN included contemporary commercial music training, alongside studying classical and theatre voice. She also later continued her vocal performance studies at Concordia University.

Hanna is the lead vocalist for a 5 piece blues/rock band in Milwaukee, “Hanna Simone”. Her music has been featured on Milwaukee PBS, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, and she has performed the national anthem for the Milwaukee Brewers. Helping her students find their voice and a sound that they can be proud of, with the intention of creating joy in learning is essential to her. In this positive environment she can see students flourish and nurture their craft.

Madeline Stadel - Voice & Piano

I have been singing as long as I could speak, and I am going on 18 years of studying voice. I graduated with my Bachelors Degree in Voice Performance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in May 2022. I have been a full-time private lesson instructor since 2020.

I am a songwriter at heart, and I am also a rock musician. I perform solo, and also gig and perform with my band ADORNER regionally and nationally. I have performed with notable artists such as Andrea Bocelli and Wave Chapelle at venues such as Fiserv Forum, Summerfest, Vivarium and Schubas-Lincoln Hall in Chicago. I have music on the radio, and have been featured in Milwaukee Magazine, FOX6, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and more. Music is my full time profession and it is my greatest pleasure and honor to help bring it to my students’ lives on their own musical journeys.

Justin Bant - Piano & Saxophone

Justin comes from a family of musicians, with both his grandmother and mother being established music teachers in his hometown of Hazelhurst, WI. He began studying piano at the age of 5 and quickly found a passion for music, eventually branching out to saxophone, singing, and eventually composition. He received his music degree in composition from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and while there, took part in many groups including Wind Ensemble, Master’s Choir, and also became event manager of Madison’s Jazz At 5 Concert Series. Several of his compositions have been featured in concerts throughout his time there.

Justin has been teaching privately since 2014 and has taught students of all ages, children to adults. While he focused on classical music in his studies, he believes in a diverse music education and touches on many different styles from classical, to jazz, rock, pop, and R&B. He believes that this diverse exposure to music allows students the room to explore and grow as developing musicians.

Mason Shefchik - Voice, Piano, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, Trumpet

This instrumentalist-turned singer is ecstatic to be sharing his passion for music with his students. Mason recently completed his degree at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater with minors in Music and Dance. In addition to his theatrical education, he carries with him years of rigorous instrumental music training which has granted him opportunities in pit bands, wind ensembles, orchestras and chamber ensembles across his home region of north eastern Wisconsin. While he is proud to say a portion of his skillset is self-taught, he has honed his instrumental skills with UW instructors Stacy Berk (oboe), Myles Boothroyd (saxophone) and Elena Abend (piano). This instrumental background has often followed him into his theatrical career, whether it be on-stage in performance or to aid his work as a music director.

Mason focuses on catering his lessons to each student’s needs, so they may accomplish their artistic goals as young musicians, while developing a strong foundation of music literacy.

Jonathan Chudnow - Drums

Jonathan (Yanni) Chudnow received his BA degree in music from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has learned from, and performed with some of Milwaukee’s finest musicians. Studying with teachers such as Alex Wier and drummer extraordinaire Devin Drobka, Jonathan has learned multiple approaches to playing and teaching the drums within many different styles. Taking part in many funk, rock, jazz (Neil Davis Quartet) and classical ensembles, he has amassed a spin on the world of drumming that works for many different students!

Kay Speidel - Drums & Piano

Kay Speidel earned her B.F.A. in Percussion Performance alongside her certificate in the Honors College at UWM. Studying both Percussion and Piano, she has performed with the UWM Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra, Community Band and Jazz Combo. Kay has also played with independent jazz combos, and is currently a member of a local all female rock band, as well as the Milwaukee Bucks Drumline.

She currently works on new pieces for percussion and technology, premiered a contemporary percussion ensemble work with the UWM composition department, and premiered a commission for percussion and technology in the spring of 2021.

Ben Bruns - Drums

In addition to studying drums through MATC’s Music Occupations Program, Ben has studied under Milwaukee greats John Calarco, Ben Hans and Dave Schoepke. Active in the local music scene, Ben is currently playing with Abby Jeanne, Blues Addiction, and various funk, blues and rock artists. He aims to educate students to be musical, thoughtful, and creative drummers through sight reading, ear training, and improvisational exercises.

Rebecca Briesemeister - Violin & Viola

Rebecca graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh in May 2024 with bachelors degrees in both Instrumental Music Education and Violin Performance. While attending UW - Oshkosh, she performed with the Oshkosh Symphony, Manitowoc Symphony and Sheboygan Symphony. Rebecca is currently pursuing graduate degrees in Violin Performance and String Pedagogy at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

Kody Kojima - Violin

Hello! I am a fun, experienced and patient teacher. I have taught over 500 private and small group lessons, both in person and online, age 3 through adults. I have a robust collection of teaching materials for every academic level, and use them in a creative and strategic way in order to best benefit the student. I want students to enjoy mastering their work!

As an experienced violin teacher, I am well-versed in various teaching methods and philosophies that have been developed by some of the top violin pedagogues. I tailor my instruction to each student’s individual needs to provide a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. Some of the key methods I incorporate into my teaching include:

Suzuki Method, Stanley Fletcher, Paul Rolland, Mimi Zweig, Kodaly Method, Dorothy Delay and others.

I enjoy teaching students of all ages, levels and styles. I strive to provide the best possible music education for every student!

Grace Halloran - Violin, Viola, Piano

Grace Halloran, a violinist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a recent graduate of Lawrence University. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance, and currently attends the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, where she is completing her Master of Music degree in Violin Performance. She is studying with Bernard Zinck, and her past influential teachers include Addison Teng and Wen-Lei Gu.

Grace has performed in concert with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Fulton Chamber Players, Camerata 33, and Fiddlers of Lawrence University. In 2022 and 2023 she was a featured soloist with the Fulton Summer Music Academy Orchestra. She has experience teaching students of all ages and levels, and enjoys helping students discover their own musical voice.

Olivia Dobbs - Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Piano

Olivia Dobbs is a Milwaukee based musician and instructor. Whether in the pit for a musical, extemporizing behind the mic onstage, trilling through a cadenza with an orchestra, or live-scoring a film screening, Olivia is at home in a wide variety of musical roles and environments. She can be heard performing regularly with the Milwaukee Philharmonic, DIY Chamber Music, North Coast Midwest Winds, and in musical theatre productions throughout the US. Olivia also serves on the substitute roster for several regional orchestras and big bands in the Midwest, and in support of the Milwaukee music scene’s youngest members, she volunteers as a sound engineer and panelist for Girls Rock MKE. She teaches students of all ages and ability levels.

Brendan Demet - Guitar & Bass

Brendan Demet is an improviser/composer, guitarist/bassist, singer/songwriter at home in Milwaukee, WI. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Contemporary Improvisation from Lawrence University’s Conservatory of Music in 2016, studying with Steve Peplin and Matt Turner. Brendan began playing guitar at the age of 7, has been performing professionally for over a decade, and has been teaching guitar and bass since 2014. He is open to all musical styles, and especially interested in improvisation and music theory.

Nathan Pflughoeft - Guitar, Bass, Ukulele

Nathan Pflughoeft has been an instructor at the Wauwatosa School of Music since 2017. He holds a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, where he studied with Pete Billman and Don Linke. He performs regularly with various artists in the Milwaukee area, spanning a multitude of genres including jazz, R & B, pop, hip hop, rock and gospel.

Ryan Johnson - Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Drums, Piano

Ryan Johnson is a music educator with years of experience leading both large and small ensembles, as well as providing private lessons. With 20+ years experience playing drums, guitar, bass, keys, singing, composing, transcribing and recording, he enjoys using his skills to contribute to the exciting musical developments that happen every day at WSOM. Ryan received his degree from Butte College in 2015 and performed with many bands, traveling up and down the West coast. He strives to help students manifest their technical and creative abilities, and challenge them to improve their skills while maintaining the joy of music.

Aidan Wiley Lippke - Guitar & Bass

Aidan Wiley Lippke is an award-winning guitar performer and educator. He has received prizes from competitions such as the Indiana University Classical Guitar Festival, Tuesday Musical Competition, James Stroud Competition, and the Schubert Club Competition. As a performer, he has played across the country, playing in many different venues including recital halls, churches and art galleries.

As a teacher, Aidan has taught students of all ages, both in formal school settings and privately, providing instruction in the areas of interpretation, technique, and theory. An advocate of new music, he has also collaborated with up-and-coming composers to bring new works to the classical guitar repertoire, often including new music in his programs. He recently finished his master’s degree in classical guitar performance under renowned Cuban guitar virtuoso, Professor Rene Izquierdo, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, having previously earned dual bachelor’s degrees at Oberlin College and Conservatory in classical guitar performance and computer science, where he studied with Professor Stephen Aron.