LESSONS

Spencer Bernard has been playing guitar and bass professionally for over twenty five years, and ukulele for five years. Before becoming a pastor, Spencer was a full-time musician. He still plays guitar at his church (Evergreen Church in Bloomington). Spencer is experienced in many styles, and has taught guitar part-time since 1998. He teaches a well-rounded approach that includes strumming, single note picking, and music reading. He can also design a lesson plan around a student’s specific goals and ambitions.

Nicole M. Davis teaches private flute lessons to students of all ages.  She has a Bachelor of Music Degree in Flute Performance from Concordia College and a Master of Music Degree in Flute Performance from The University of Northern Iowa.  She taught flute lessons to non-music majors at The University of Northern Iowa during her graduate school program as part of her teaching-assistantship.  She has maintained her private studio in the Twin Cities since the Fall of 2009.  Many of her students have been very successful and have accomplished things such as participating in All State, Honors Bands and Orchestras.  Several have received music scholarships and have continued in music at the college level.

Being a home school alum myself, I am excited to re-engage with the home school community; this time as an educator. I graduated in 2014 from McNally Smith College of Music with a Bachelor’s of Music in Percussion Performance.

I play regularly in church worship bands, I have been a member of pit bands for many local theaters, and I have performed with multiple cover bands and original artists. I am constantly learning and performing new material in a wide range of styles: rock ‘n’ roll, classic and modern rock, doo-wop, swing, blue grass, country, R&B, funk, pop, and more.

As an educator, I have had great success helping students of all ages and abilities reach their goals behind the drum set. A typical lesson will incorporate the study of reading, coordination, and vocabulary; time keeping is emphasized regardless of the subject at hand. Eventually the student will be introduced to different styles of drumming and will also learn to play along with their favorite songs.

Stephanie Shogren has been teaching violin privately for 17 years in the Twin Cities area. Currently, Mrs. Shogren teaches students of various ages and skill levels from her home in Bloomington. She is passionate about helping students learn to love music and grow in their abilities on the violin and loves to see the progress they make from week to week.

Mrs. Shogren graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance in 2005. She studied violin with Mark Bjork and studied Suzuki Pedagogy under Kathy Wood. Mrs. Shogren has taught both privately and at various string camps in the Midwest over the course of the last several years.
Mrs. Shogren has also been an active performer, specifically as a co-founder of the Minneapolis-based trio Clocks and Clouds. With Clocks and Clouds, Mrs. Shogren has performed around the country, bringing classical and rock music together in original compositions written by the group. She has had the privilege of performing for many young people with this group, and hopes to inspire young musicians to continue making music for many years to come.

Along with her husband, Luke, Mrs. Shogren enjoys life with her three boys, Beckett (11), Brody (9) and Blaine (7) and dog Blue. Mrs. Shogren loves coffee, reading, and traveling with her family!