We welcome resumes from qualified teachers of all instruments at any time. Send to bethany@themusicroomstl.com
Thomas Lee, piano
From before he can remember, Thomas Lee was fascinated with music. He began studying piano at age 10 and eventually completed both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in piano performance. His principal piano professor in college was James Bastien. For much of the 1980’s, he worked as a free-lance pianist and teacher in the Kansas City area. He was also the bass section leader at the Episcopal cathedral, where the his principal interests turned to pipe organ and choral conducting. In 1989 he returned to graduate school at the University of Kansas and completed a second Master’s degree in Organ, and a Doctorate in Organ and Choral Conducting.
In 1995, he moved to San Antonio where he was appointed Organist and Music Director at the Episcopal School of Texas. His responsibilities there included directing Middle School and High School choirs, playing organ for chapel and academic events, and directing the music for the annual spring play. It was a rewarding position that challenged and utilized Dr. Lee’s varied musical skills.
In 2018 he retired from full time work and moved to St. Louis. His career has rather come full circle. He is once more teaching piano and is a bass section leader at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. His experience is especially well suited for teaching Middle School through adult students. He enjoys teaching both beginners as well as those with prior training.
Bethany Nikstad, piano
Bethany’s love affair with the piano began at age 7. It reached new depths at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, where she graduated Magna cum Laude with bachelor’s degrees in Music and German. Bethany began teaching privately in 2008.
Bethany has a great commitment to creativity in music study, emphasizing improvisation and asking questions. Her students have the opportunity to participate in festivals through the National Federation of Music Clubs and the St. Louis Area Music Teachers’ Association. Bethany is certified in all seven Suzuki piano units . She studied the Suzuki method with Cheryl Stewart, Rita Hauck, Joan Kryzwicki, Bruce Anderson, and Rae Kate Shen. Bethany loves jazz, duets, and kids.
Lukas Simpson, guitar, ukulele, mandolin, mandola, clawhammer banjo
Lukas studied guitar, mandolin and banjo at The Old Town School of Folk Music and privately from a handful of musicians and instructors and continues to do so. He writes and sings songs which have been featured in television and radio commercials across the globe, used in stage productions and performed by a philharmonic orchestra. He currently performs with Goldmine Pickers, Watt Hill, Contrabandwagon and Part Time Old Time. Lukas shares his passion for writing and performing music with teaching. He has created a kid’s guitar camp curriculum used every year at two summer camps in Indiana and taught at TG Music and Premier Arts in Northern Indiana. In the fall of 2013 Lukas moved to St. Louis and began teaching group classes at The Folk School of St. Louis and is now offering private lessons at The Music Room!
Joe Park, guitar
You may have heard the Joe Park Trio playing around town. If you haven’t, get yourself to Yaqui’s on Cherokee Street on a Wednesday night! You won’t regret it.
Natalie Hanifl, violin, viola, cello
Natalie began teaching violin in 2004 and it quickly became her favorite thing to do. She graduated from the University of Memphis after studying Education and Music. She enjoys sharing her love of playing the violin with students of all ages.
Lucinda Sinco, piano
Lucinda is passionate about teaching music, she enjoys few things as much as watching people grow in their knowledge and appreciation of keyboard music especially. She has been teaching piano for approximately twenty years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in piano and a master’s degree in theory at Missouri State University. Lucinda also has experience teaching children with special needs and as well as teaching adults.
Jamie Heuer, piano
Jamie began studying piano at the age of 7 and quickly fell in love with playing. She performed in various solo, accompaniment, band, and small group settings throughout her career. She graduated from Saint Louis University in 2010 with degrees in music and elementary education. Jamie loves working with people of all ages and has taught students from preschool through adult. She previous taught at The Music Room and is excited to be back!
Nicole Sanders, piano
Nicole has over twenty years of teaching experience. She is extremely passionate about teaching and loves the unique bonds developed between teacher and student that occur through private lessons. Over the years, Nicole has taught students of all ages with a variety of backgrounds and experience. As a classically trained pianist, her teaching style emphasizes performance, competition and theory. She has been involved in district and state competitions, along with local Sonatina Festivals and the Mid America Music Association. Her students have consistently brought home superior ratings at these events and several of her students have been asked to play in corresponding honor recitals. A few of her older students have gone on to become music majors in college. Though Nicole takes music very seriously, she feel that it should be fun and music education should be catered to each individual student’s needs and goals.
Kimberly Jackson, piano
Paul Duncan, piano
Paul Duncan hails from the great state of Washington; he was educated
in Tacoma (near Seattle, Pacific Lutheran and St Martin’s Universities,
BA in piano and vocal music) and has taught piano and vocal music
continuously for over 30 years. He has a great love for teaching;
Teaching piano has been, for him, a deeply rewarding and energizing
experience. It provides so many unique personal, creative, and
professional rewards, for both student and teacher. There is absolutely
nothing better than working closely with students of all ages, witnessing
their development over many months or even years. And there’s nothing
like the “aha” moments when students (of any age) realize something
great within the process of learning and connecting through music.
Among his many other accomplishments: 20+ years as a church
musician (director of music, accompanist) music director/accompanist
for numerous professional and high school musical productions. He has
worked as a bandleader, solo artist (both as pianist and vocalist), and
sideman for countless events in Western Washington and in the St Louis
areas.
Abigail Meyers, violin
Coming soon