Music Connection Teaching Staff

Hello, my name is Vince Hendren and I teach the brass instruments. I have been teaching private lessons since 1991 and have been teaching at The Music Connection since 1999.  My background is in Music Education and I have worked with students from elementary school through high school, college and adult students.

I have experience teaching and playing many styles of music including jazz, classical, school band and many more. I teach beginning to advanced trumpet and french horn and beginner to intermediate low brass

If you would like more info, please request a copy of my resume.

Hello, my name is Randy Gildersleeve. I like music, and I like people. That pretty much sums up my life and career, and teaching is the crossroads of these primary interests. I play and teach a variety of fretted instruments, including acoustic and electric guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and dobro. I approach each student with the assumption that some spark provided the inspiration to play. Perhaps it was a recording, a favorite artist, family member, or some other life experience. My job is to fan that spark into a flame that will carry the enjoyment of music throughout your life. As quickly as possible, I get the student playing music they enjoy, and will want to practice. Building practice time into your life is the key to gaining the skills needed to fully enjoy music. Sure, we'll study scales, technique, chords, notation (including tablature), and as I get to know you, we'll incorporate whatever books, recordings, and other material needed to get where you want to go. In addition, all of my students have the opportunity to perform in front of an audience at my student concerts, or join my monthly bluegrass jam or weekly ukulele group. 

Here's the thumbnail version of my story: I grew up on a farm in SW Wisconsin and was inspired to play by the Beatles and my mother's record collection. As a music major in college, I studied classical guitar and played in jazz ensembles. Outside of school, I played in rock bands and became very interested in recording music. My teaching career began, and over the decades I've coached many who have become professional musicians, and many others for whom music is a lasting interest. I've performed in all kinds of music events and ensembles and currently play with several groups. I own GilderSound recording studio and have the pleasure of helping musicians capture their vision.

So what about you? Sign up and let's play some music!

**MINIMUM STUDENT AGE IS 8**

Hello, I’m Tim Lyles, a guitarist, bassist, and instructor in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. I’ve been teaching at the Music Connection for over 30 years and also taught at McNally Smith College of Music for 14 years. I studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston and earned my undergraduate degree from the University of Memphis in Music and Media. I also completed my master’s degree in Guitar Performance from McNally Smith. My career has encompassed producing/arranging/engineering and performing in recording studio environments, work in television and film production, and a decade of touring the U.S. with a 14-piece horn band. I love a broad range of guitar styles— from roots music and rock to jazz and classical.

Learning to play the guitar should be fun and enjoyable, although sometimes it’s challenging and requires patience and diligence. I strive to provide balance in my lessons between fun and work— both are needed to make you a better guitarist. I structure my lessons around a Rhythm of five areas of guitar study: Chords, Scales, Repertoire, Improvisation and Note Literacy. My goal is to help you become a better guitarist in an enjoyable and enriching setting— to patiently help you understand and acquire the necessary skills. Few things in life are more fulfilling than experiencing a sense of accomplishment and improvement on the coolest of all musical instruments— the guitar! I hope you enjoy the same. Good Journeys!

Hey, let's play! My name is Cassius, and I love to play and teach guitar. I started my musical life playing electric guitar at age 12. In my teens I got heavily into classical guitar and went on to pursue and attain Bachelors (B.Mus) and Masters (M.M) degrees from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, as well as a performance diploma (PDSP) and a doctorate in music (D.M.) from Indiana University.

I have experience teaching at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Indiana University, and the University of Indianapolis. Even though my pedigree is in classical guitar, I am fond of teaching rock and blues guitar as well, pick or fingerstyle. In addition, I have enjoyed playing and teaching ukulele for many years. 

Regardless of the style, instrument, or skill of the student, I make a point of emphasizing aural, reading, improvisatory, and theoretical skills. I have studied and used countless methods and understand thoroughly the process of learning the guitar, from the beginning to mastery.

cassiusguitar.com

I've been a musician my entire life, have taught guitar for over thirty seven years at various music stores and music schools(The Rymer School Of Music and Music Tech) and are currently teaching at The Music Connection(Forest Lake, MN) and at Groth Music(Bloomington, MN). My emphasis in teaching is helping the student develop - good technique, their ability in reading music and guitar tablature, ear training and soloing. I also teach students how to compose their own songs, help them understand the music industry as a business(intermediate level students and higher) and the most important thing – to just enjoy playing the guitar! 

*Please note my minimum age for a student is seven years old.

My primary styles of guitar playing/teaching are in Rock, Blues and Acoustic with secondary styles in Classical, Jazz and Country. My formal training in music includes 4 years of classical guitar, 2 years private guitar lessons(rock, blues, jazz), 5 years of music theory, music composition, music business and music history studies at Century College, The University of MN and at The Professional Guitar School of Minneapolis (previously, The McNally-Smith Institute of Music). Professionally, I've played for 43 years with many different bands, covering just about every style of music and have done national touring with the bands “Wild Eyes” and the show band “Dazzler”. I currently play with the national act - “Free Fallin”(Tom Petty tribute band) and “The Minstrel's Bazaar”(My original music band).

www.fretsnets@gmail.com

www.karlswartz.net

My name is Peter OʼGorman and I teach drum set and percussion lessons at studios in Forest Lake and White Bear Lake. I teach students at a wide variety of skill levels from absolute beginners to college-level performance majors. I also have a lot of experience working with students who have a variety of learning challenges. In lessons, I focus on how each student learns best and design personalized lesson plans that capitalize on each student’s learning style.

I feel it is important that learning an instrument be a fun and enjoyable experience. I like to maintain a positive vibe in lessons by helping students feel good about their efforts, their skills, and themselves.

The goals of my students vary from those who simply want to have fun playing an instrument, to those who are serious about pursuing a career in music. My more ambitious students regularly become section leaders in their school band program, garner superior ratings at solo and ensemble contests, earn positions in All-State Concert Band, All-State Symphonic Band, All-State Orchestra, & All-State Jazz Ensemble, and go on to receive Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees in music.

In addition to teaching private lessons, I have led percussion and composition workshops for students and band directors throughout Minnesota and beyond. I am also the author of two drumset method books that have received critical praise from Modern Drummer Magazine, Percussive Notes magazine and numerous top pros.

As a concert percussionist and drumset artist, I have performed throughout the U.S. and abroad. I have worked as a soloist and with a multitude of diverse groups including chamber ensembles, rock bands, jazz groups, and ensembles that elude classification. I have also worked with many prominent composers.

As a published composer, I have received grants, fellowships, and commissions from the American Composers Forum, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Goodale Family Foundation, the Jerome Foundation, the McKnight Foundation (including two McKnight Fellowships) and the Walker Art Center.

My formal studies took place at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where I received a Bachelor of Science degree in music performance and composition.

If you have any questions or would like to talk about any aspect of lessons, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Cathy Ellis teaches piano and violin at Music Connection. She has been teaching since 1987. She has taught in CA, RI, WI, and MN. At San Diego State University, She was blessed with studying the Suzuki Violin Method under Dr. Theodore Brunson, one of the men credited with bringing the Suzuki Method to America. She performed in orchestras since 7th grade, including the North San Diego County Civic Youth Orchestra, Palomar College Orchestra, and San Diego State University Orchestra. In Rhode Island, she was able to teach at Moses Brown Middle School, a division of the Brown University system, as well as the Providence Music School. She has made Minnesota her home since 1996. After several injuries to her hands, she no longer performs but has always loved teaching. Her teaching philosophy is “all a student needs is desire.” After that, she feels it is her duty to help that student learn in any way possible. She has a BA in Education, and her emphasis was in Special Education. This training has helped her adapt lessons to each student. Outside of music. She enjoys time with her two daughters and three grandsons and the first granddaughter born April 29, 2023.

All my lessons are 30 minutes in length but I will accept students for a 15 minute time slot if they are absolute beginners and are age eight or younger. I will also offer one hour lessons for more advanced students who need more time.

Sarah holds degrees in horn performance from University of California, Davis and California State University, Sacramento. She began teaching music in high school and has taught piano at The Music Store in Rockland, Ca, with Musical Minds in San Diego, and currently is an adjunct faculty at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Besides teaching Sarah has played in many groups including the Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento, Camelia Symphony, Marine Band San Diego, Hornswoggle, the San Diego Concert Band, the Mankato Symphony and the Twin Cities Horn Club.   She is currently working on her DMA in horn performance at the University of Minnesota. She is looking forward to working with beginning to intermediate piano students at Music Connection. When she isn’t teaching or playing music, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and son, hanging out with her cats Stinker and Rubble, and baking cookies. 

Chris Chelgren has been teaching viola, violin, and piano since 1999 and before that was a sales consultant for the Music Connection. When he’s not teaching he does recording work and freelances around the Twin Cities and beyond. He graduated from St. Olaf College in 1996 with a Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition and is currently principal viola of the Roseville String Ensemble, for which he also serves on the board of directors. He’s also a member of the St. Andrew’s Orchestra in Mahtomedi and the Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company orchestra in Minneapolis. He’s also recently played with the Mississippi Valley Orchestra and in the past with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra. When not doing any of those things he finds time to go for long bike rides, backpack in the woods, or sit down with a good board game. He currently resides in Hugo with his wife Karen and 3 rambunctious cats.

Cathy Ellis teaches piano and violin at Music Connection. She has been teaching since 1987. She has taught in CA, RI, WI, and MN. At San Diego State University, She was blessed with studying the Suzuki Violin Method under Dr. Theodore Brunson, one of the men credited with bringing the Suzuki Method to America. She performed in orchestras since 7th grade, including the North San Diego County Civic Youth Orchestra, Palomar College Orchestra, and San Diego State University Orchestra. In Rhode Island, she was able to teach at Moses Brown Middle School, a division of the Brown University system, as well as the Providence Music School. She has made Minnesota her home since 1996. After several injuries to her hands, she no longer performs but has always loved teaching. Her teaching philosophy is “all a student needs is desire.” After that, she feels it is her duty to help that student learn in any way possible. She has a BA in Education, and her emphasis was in Special Education. This training has helped her adapt lessons to each student. Outside of music. She enjoys time with her two daughters and three grandsons and the first granddaughter born April 29, 2023.

All my lessons are 30 minutes in length but I will accept students for a 15 minute time slot if they are absolute beginners and are age eight or younger. I will also offer one hour lessons for more advanced students who need more time.

My name is Laura Harada and I have been teaching violin for over 25 years. I have played the violin for most of my life and enjoy working with students of all levels, from age 5 on up. As a young student I was fortunate to have excellent teachers who guided me well and who emphasized solid technique and musicality. I played in youth symphonies and string quartets from the age of nine through high school, after which I attended Oberlin Conservatory. I have performed professionally since the age of fifteen.

While my formal education is primarily in classical music, I have since broadened my education and scope of interest to include world music of many kinds, most especially the music of the Middle East and Brazil and jazz. I have special training in classical Arabic music. I like to share my interests with my students and feel it is important to expose students to traditions around the world while also ensuring a solid base of technique and proficiency as well as familiarity with improvisation and composition. I emphasize creative thinking in problem solving and enjoy the dialogue that evolves between teacher and student. I currently perform with the National Arab Orchestra in Detroit and locally with Amwaaj, Samba Meu, and Music Mundial. I have experience working with theater and dance companies and with songwriters like Chastity Brown and Aby Wolf. I also enjoy presenting work of contemporary music composers, often as a guest of new music ensemble Zeitgeist.

Woodwind specialist, LeAnn Lindgren, earned her degree in Music Education from the University of  Minnesota. She is currently on staff at Macalester College as a private Jazz/Classical Saxophone instructor and performs regularly with a variety of groups in the Twin Cities. Ms. Lindgren spent many years teaching band at Hill-Murray School and St. Paul Academy and Summit Schools.  LeAnn truly enjoys helping her students develop skills on their instruments.

Milinda began teaching in 2006, and holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance from the University of Minnesota, where she studied with Immanuel Davis. She also studied in Vienna, Austria for 6 months with Barbara Gisler-Haase and Marie-Celine Labbe. She currently performs with the Linden Hills Chamber Orchestra in Minneapolis, MN. 

Milinda creates lessons around individual student’s interests, needs, and personal goals. She incorporates music history, music listening, music theory, and overall wellness into lessons. She works with students on producing great tone, learning scales, and intonation. Sight-reading and ensemble work is also incorporated (flute duets and trios). She strives to foster a life-long passion for music, community, and learning with each student.