In-Person Lessons
Meet Our Instructors
At MiMusic, we provide unparalleled quality private music lessons in Traverse City Michigan. Our program includes lessons in a variety of instruments such as piano, voice, guitar, bass, ukulele, cello, mandolin, and violin. We offer amazing introductory private music lessons for all ages and welcome all members of the family to join our program.
Our heart for helping others succeed is what drives us to continually improve and implement an innovative and enriching music program. As soon as new students step through our doors, they can sense that we are different. Our gorgeous and comfortable lobby and lesson rooms, friendly front desk staff, and remarkably talented team of professional instructors create a welcoming and energizing environment that brings the learning experience to life from day one.
At MiMusic, we believe that music is a magical language that inspires growth and achievement, and our contagious energy and motivation are sure to ignite your passion for music. Join us today and discover the joy of learning and creating music with our exceptional program.
Offered Lessons: Guitar – Acoustic/Electric, Mandolin, Cello, Violin, Bass, and Ukulele
My name is Karine Pierson, owner and educational director of MiMusic Studio and scholarship program. Born in Michigan, I’m a music educator, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and recording artist. I began learning violin from my Suzuki method teacher, Shu, as a toddler. Supported by my parents, I immersed myself in music programs.
At thirteen, I toured Europe with the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp International Choir. With scholarships, I attended Interlochen Arts Camp. After earning my bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan, teaching in Detroit, I pursued a full-time career in music, forming bands and performing nationwide.
My name is Rose Coe, I am the former owner of Vokey Music Studio where I teach voice and piano lessons. I was born and raised in beautiful Traverse City. I learned how to read and play music as a young girl and sang in public regularly starting at age eight. I joined Northwestern Michigan’s Children’s Choir at age ten. In my later years I participated in various local choirs and ensembles. I studied classical vocal music and Opera at Butte College and Chico State University in California. I sang in numerous Operas at Chico State University while studying with Dallas Opera Star Marilyn Curtis and China’s most praised soprano, Dr. Ying Yeh.
I was a music teacher in California before relocating to my home town of Traverse City. I’m pleased to offer you a variety of lessons in a fun and stimulating atmosphere at my studio. Vokey is about learning to make beautiful music, I teach my students the fundamentals and most importantly to enjoy the music they make. Music is my greatest passion, it’s my goal to share that passion with others. Watching my students learn to love music and be excited about performing well is the most fulfilling reward. I have students ranging in ages from 6-60, so if you’re an adult considering taking lessons for the first time or continuing lessons you’ve had in the past I assure you, it’s never too late to learn. I customize each student’s lessons based on their goals, as well as follow up assessments confirming student progress satisfaction.
Vokey music does not discriminate on any style of music, we offer lessons in any genre our students are interested in learning.
Drew has twenty years of experience in the music industry. He’s taught musicians in churches, schools, and master classes at all ages and experience levels. He is a seasoned veteran of the stage and studio, performing in venues all over the country with 2 full length albums, 3 EP’s, and a handful of singles released under his name.
As a teacher, Drew takes an eclectic approach to guitar, both acoustic and electric, focusing on solid rhythm, playing in the context of a band, and being fluent in chord voicing and alternate tunings allowing you to paint with a vivid musical spectrum. His major expertise is in the genres of Rock, Country, and Blues with a minor in Jazz guitar and Latin Jazz styles (Bossa, Rhumba, and Brazilian finger style).
Brady Corcoran is a dynamic and experienced educator with a diverse background in both music and technology. After earning a Bachelor’s in Finance (with a minor in Jazz Studies) from Michigan State University in 2009, Brady went on to earn an Associate’s in Recording Engineering from Full Sail University in 2010, where he graduated as Valedictorian and was voted “Outstanding Achiever” by both faculty and students, giving the commencement speech at graduation.
After Full Sail, Brady moved to Los Angeles, where he landed a job at Record Plant Recording Studios in the heart of Hollywood. At Record Plant, he bumped shoulders with A-List artists and musicians (including Chris Brown, David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, Timbaland, Lil’ Wayne, Alicia Keys, and Nelly, among others). He also worked at Paramount Recording Studios as an assistant to songwriting and production team, Orange Factory Music. On top of all of this, Brady worked as a private music instructor, freelance musician, and music producer/songwriter.
Moving back home to Traverse City in 2014 to start a family, Brady has served as an Audio Technology and Music instructor at Northwestern Michigan College, eventually becoming the Audio Technology program coordinator in 2020. During his time as coordinator, the program grew from only 10 students (post-COVID) to over 60 students. Brady left NMC in 2024 to work as a full-time musician and private teacher.
In addition to teaching, Brady wrote and directed the critically acclaimed documentary Lightheaded: A Gordon Lightfoot State of Mind, available on major streaming platforms. He is also an active musician, playing keyboards and guitar with Metal Bubble Trio, while also performing as a solo singer-songwriter. Currently residing in Traverse City with his wife Erika, daughter Evelyn (8), son Leo (5), and their golden doodle Coco, Brady is deeply committed to inspiring students of all ages.
Steve is a piano instructor and jazz performer. He graduated from College Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati with a B.M. and B.S. degree. Was an educator for 48 years; music teacher, middle school math, middle school counselor, elementary school principal. He has taught Jazz workshops, adjudicated jazz festivals, mentored jazz pianists.
Private lessons in both classical and jazz improvisation. Steve is currently active in performance with many local jazz musicians.
Jarad Selner – AKA The Saxsquatch – is a multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, arranger, composer, and producer from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Having been a touring musician for the better part of 2 decades, The Saxsquatch has played hundreds of stages and dozens of studios with a myriad of bands, giving him a great deal of experience with what it means to be a working player.
Jarad has contributed to records as a producer, arranger, and performer in a range of styles including hip hop, jazz, R&B, funk, blues, country & western, American folk, Classical, rock, fusion, pop, and experimental & soundscape music. As such, he boasts a long list of musical partners, bandmates, and collaborators.
Jarad is also a guitar and bass technician, and has a great deal of experience with setting up and maintaining drums, as well as some experience with woodwind setup and repair. These skill sets give Jarad special insight into issues such as fitment and playability, which can help reduce unnecessary challenges for musicians that are just beginning their musical journey.
The Saxsquatch has been a music educator for over 15 years and teaches saxophones, clarinet, guitar, electric bass, and drum kit. His lessons are specifically tailored to the wants and needs of each student, with a focus on practical theory, body mechanics, contextual history, and, most importantly, having fun.
A List of links to some of his recent contributions, collaborations and works can be found at http://linktr.ee/saxsquatch
Jess achieved bachelor’s degrees in Voice performance and Psychology from the University of Michigan, studying under world-renowned George Shirley, the first African American tenor to perform a leading role at the NYC Metropolitan Opera. Her career post-college spans advertising roles at publishers like Hearst & AutoTrader as well as software testing and web development, but her passion in life surrounds work with children of all ages, most recently in Applied Behavior Analysis, as well as family support at Child & Family Services of NW Michigan. While happily teaching guitar, piano, voice, and ukulele at MiMusic, she is working toward a Master’s degree in Social Work with a goal to incorporate music in a clinical setting with children.
Earlier in life, Jess grew up in Manistee, MI, where she started singing into perfume bottles as a toddler, watching Star Search & listening to groups like The Cars, The Human League, and The Pointer Sisters. She started guitar lessons at the age of 7 and piano lessons at the age of 10, giving concerts at local venues, leading music for church services and jamming with local bands. In high school, she performed at weddings & community events, learned choral directing, participated in voice competitions & traveled statewide performing with various musical groups, most notably using music at schools to teach resiliency skills through self esteem, healthy coping mechanisms & positive peer networks. She’s excited to bring her background & experience to kiddos & adults at MiMusic!
My name is SkyeLea, and I bring a blend of passion and expertise to my teaching. With 6 years of teaching experience, and having grown up in the performance world, I have developed a deep understanding of how to effectively engage and educate my students. Alongside my teaching career, I have pursued my own musical journey studying Piano, Guitar, and Audio Technology at NMC, and refining my vocal abilities to sing professionally. My dedication to music and teaching is evident in my enthusiastic approach and commitment to helping my students reach their full potential!
Kevin LaRose first came to northern Michigan as a student at Interlochen Arts Academy. After graduation, he majored in tuba performance and music education at Michigan State University and completed a Master’s in performance at The Hartt School in Hartford, Connecticut. His primary teachers include Phil Sinder, Scott Mendoker, and Tom Riccobono. Since then he has taught privately and performed/toured with multiple ensembles up and down the East Coast.
Kevin moved back to Interlochen in 2018 and is actively freelancing on low brass and bass. In addition to NMBB, he also plays with the Northwest Michigan College jazz ensembles, the Encore Winds, and StoneFolk is a band based in Traverse City.
Kevin LaRose is an active freelance musician and teacher based in Traverse City. A native of Marshall, he first came to northern Michigan to study at Interlochen Arts Academy. Following graduation, he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in music education and performance from Michigan State University and a Master’s in tuba performance from the Hartt School. His primary teachers include Phil Sinder, Scott Mendoker, and Tom Riccobono.
Kevin performs frequently throughout Michigan, largely on tuba, sousaphone, euphonium, bass/tenor trombones, and electric/upright bass. He regularly participates in jazz ensembles at Northwestern Michigan College, the Northern Michigan Brass Band, the Northern LOWER Brass Quartet, the Encore Winds, Song of the Lakes, and StoneFolk, as well as musical theater work for area schools and Old Town Playhouse.
Christopher Stefanciw has been performing and teaching finger style guitar for the past 25 years. He attended the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in the early 2000’s, and his areas of expertise include creative and technical instruction for finger style playing on steel string acoustic, classical, and electric guitars. His passion is in assisting others with unlocking their creative potential as composers, songwriters, and improvisers.
He is able to teach creative approaches with guitar, voice, and piano. Allowing for spontaneity within these processes helps to lighten the experience of learning challenging concepts, and it improves confidence and trust in one’s own musical inspirations. These tools also are relevant to managing the unexpected occurrences in life.
Nick Veine is a singer-songwriter and composer born and raised in Manistee, MI. He grew up playing rock and blues before he started singing, pivoting to acoustic music without losing that electric flair.
His passion encouraged him to attend Berklee College of Music, where he earned his Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Writing and production and eventually pursued and completed a Master of Music in Classical Composition at Belmont University.
He performs an eclectic mix of his own music and traditional blues/folk as a solo act and with other phenomenal musicians across the state.
Nick is very comfortable teaching guitar and music theory, with a heavy emphasis on composition and arranging. Music production and composing are other passions of his, along with beginner piano and voice. He’s well-versed in blues, jazz, Western swing, samba/bossa nova, bluegrass, country, folk, Celtic, acapella music, and classic and progressive rock.
If you’re interested in a creative approach to music theory, harmony, composition, and performing—especially in rootsy styles—Nick is your guy 🙂
Alex Dies has been teaching music for over a decade now and teaches all ages/styles. Alex took lessons from a Juilliard graduate in an intensive learning program. Alex has gone to great lengths to make a comprehensive reference note guide, which is used as a lesson plan.
Alex specializes in chord construction and unique chord voicing, and he is fully versed in all the modes as well. Alex uses a “don’t play it if you can’t say it” rule that helps the student know scale degrees and key placement at all times, but at the same time he makes sure to keep it light and have fun with it as we learn.
Alex also loves doing virtual lessons!
Nick is a Michigan native, born in Ann Arbor. At age 10, he began his journey learning Cello. Instantly he was enamored with the instrument that was bigger than he was. Throughout his 15 years of experience, Nick has written multiple orchestral pieces while also playing in both his elementary and high school orchestras. This experience combined with his knowledge in music theory gave him motivation to begin teaching.
In high school, Nick had also completed AP Music Theory and also extensively studied music theory in his free time. During this time, Nick began nurturing his new growing passion of teaching beginning with orchestra in 2015. Almost immediately, Nick realized that he had a passion for teaching and aiding others in learning new things.
After high school, Nick chose to continue cello as a hobby, choosing to focus on expanding his repertoire and variety of instruments. He has since taught a multitude of hobbies of his own over the past 7 years, garnering him skills that can give a unique approach to learning styles or habits that require specific nurturing. Upon moving to Traverse City in March of 2023, Nick decided to begin teaching cello so that many could learn the innate beauty of the instrument and hopefully aid the students in their learning the same way his teachers had done for him.
Steve ‘Steev’ Potov of Interlochen began learning the violin around age ten, his mother and grandfather were both violinists. Chris Williams was his teacher for nearly a decade, exposing him to Cajun, Irish, French-Canadian, bluegrass, and old-time music. After watching an old rerun of Hee-Haw in 2009, Steev suddenly wanted to play old-time music with an unquenchable passion. After attending Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and watching the movie, “Music of the Heart,” Steev was also inspired to teach and pass on the rich tradition of old-time fiddle music to others. Steev also studied with Bob Saddler, a well-known fiddle contest judge, as well as many other teachers and musicians of note including Dr. Jeff Cobb, Dr. Scott Sorensen and John Thompson of Lester Flatts and Earl Scruggs fame. Steev plays lead fiddle at many old-time fiddle shows, barn dances and square dances. Steev teaches traditional Suzuki violin as well as old-time fiddle. Steev is also our banjo teacher and he teaches and plays other instruments including piano and cello.
Elena received her Bachelor of Music degree from Northern Illinois University in 2021 and graduated from the Performer’s Certificate program the following year. She studied piano performance, vocal performance, and composition. Additionally, she has been playing violin for over a decade and played both violin and viola in the Neuqua Valley and Northern Illinois Symphony Orchestras. Elena has worked extensively as a private teacher since 2014, when she founded her own studio at the age of 15. She also has been employed as a collaborative pianist for the Grammy award-winning District 204 high school music program and the Interlochen Center for the Arts. She recently appeared as a soloist with the RYSO, NIU Philharmonic, and NVSO as the winner of their concerto competitions. Elena’s pedagogy focuses on technical and aural development as vehicles for artistry. She aims to provide a relaxed and safe environment for each student to learn and grow at their own pace, while also inspiring them to push the limits of their potential.
Kaylah started playing the violin at 7 years old in the small town of Wheatland, Wyoming. She kept playing and pursued a degree in Music Education from the University of Wyoming, graduating in 2011. Kaylah has been teaching private lessons since 2010 and has taught hundreds of students from 3 to 75 years old how to play since then. In addition to teaching private lessons, Kaylah also founded the Eastern Wyoming Youth Orchestra and managed a studio with 9 other teachers, 3 locations, and over 120 students for almost 6 years before moving to Michigan for a fresh start. Now Kaylah has been in Michigan since 2022 and is loving filling up her teaching schedule with new students! Kaylah performs regularly with the Gaylord Community Orchestra, the Alpena Symphony Orchestra, and the Benzie Area Symphony Orchestra. She also plays on worship teams each week at the Grand Traverse House of Prayer and her church, Resurrection Life. She is also available to play for weddings and other events throughout the year.
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Learn music the fun way.
Address:
3003 Garfield Road N, Traverse City. MI 49686
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Contact Us
Learn music the fun way.
Address:
3003 Garfield Road N, Traverse City. MI 49686
