Meet our Teachers
A quick meet and greet with some of the most talented musicians and teachers in the Twin Cities
Logan Barat
Logan is a trained Opera singer, earning his Master’s in Opera Performance at Wichita State University. He has performed with the Ohio Light Opera, and was selected as one of the prestigious Santa Fe Apprentice artists in 2020. Logan has also performed several leading roles in operas and musicals. Logan has also had training in Germany and Italy. Aside from voice, Logan has proficiency in drums, piano, and violin. Logan is really excited to start rocking out with new students and have fun developing a passion for music.
Emma barat
Emma is a multi-instrumentalist musician and educator from west-central Minnesota and has a degree in music from Concordia College, Moorhead. She has spent the last four years teaching K-5 elementary music in public schools. While in school, she had the opportunity to march in the 2012 Inaugural Parade, participate in numerous Minnesota All-State choirs, and tour around the country. Emma’s greatest joy is watching students grow in their knowledge and love of music.
Greyson Boydston
Greyson Boydstun is a musician and educator, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has performed with numerous symphonies, theater production companies, touring groups and has an established career as a solo marimbist and contemporary percussionist. As an educator Greyson has taken groups to the Macy’s Parade, Fiesta Bowl Parade, Spain, BOA Grand Nationals, WGI & DCI Finals, and various Days of Percussion at local universities. His drumming interests continuously change, from his early days playing heavy metal & punk rock to studying Jazz and Cuban Folklorico, from the musical pit to gigging with steal pan bands and swing groups.
david collins
David Collins is a passionate native Twin Cities musician, composer, and teacher. He is an accomplished lead, rhythm and bass guitarist and also enjoys creating original works on piano. He has recorded and performed as the originator, front man and lead guitarist for several bands. His focus is on student-teacher rapport, growth in technical ability, music theory, ear-training, composition, and writing. David has been an active instructor in the Twin Cities since 2014.
Andy Erickson-peterson
Andy EP is a drummer with over 20+ years experience playing a variety of styles including metal, funk, hip hop, jazz, classical percussion and pop. He has a Bachelors of Music Performance from Wisconsin-River Falls, has studied with a few drum masters and has a published instructional book titled Groove Manipulation. While teaching Andy focuses on how to play the drums safely without hurting your hands/body, how to listen/play along to your favorite music, mastering fundamental grooves/rudiments and how to improvise!
eva huntington
Eva is a classically trained, well rounded guitar player with the ability to teach a variety of styles including, jazz, classical, rock, pop, blues and country. She is versed in music theory, Suzuki method, and at reading music. She has experience teaching children including experience working with special needs students. Eva has performed with a wide variety of groups, and was the band leader of a Beatles tribute band. Eva holds a BM in guitar performance from McNally Smith College of Music.
francis johnson
Francis Emil Johnson is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from New Ulm, Minnesota. He currently leads a band that performs in the Twin Cities, and has recorded and released two albums. Johnson is a former member of the New Ulm Municipal orchestra. He has studied piano with Connie Jacob, voice with Shannon Stuckey and John Grau, and guitar with Maja Radovanlija and Bruno Marcondes. Francis teaches guitar, piano and voice.
nancy masson
Nancy is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist with over 40 years of teaching experience, 29 of them being a K-8 classroom music teacher. She has earned two B.A. degrees from Macalester College, one in Composing and Arranging, the other in Music Education. She has been performing in various bands since the 80’s and is currently performing in the Heart tribute band, Heartless, based in Minneapolis. Her highlight has been a performance last summer at First Avenue in The Mainroom.
sam mckinney
Sam is a dedicated musician and educator based in Minneapolis with over two decades of teaching and performance experience. He earned dual degrees in Music Business Management and Audio Engineering from Berklee College of Music, blending creative talent with industry acumen. His extensive background in both performance and education, combined with his comprehensive knowledge of music theory, business, and audio engineering, make Sam a passionate and inspiring instructor committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians.
Josh o’meara
Josh is a guitarist/vocalist/pianist originally from Sacramento, CA. He is a worship leader in the Twin Cities and has been working professionally leading teams of musicians for several years. Josh is passionate about seeing students grow into their identity as musical artists, and loves any opportunity to walk alongside them in that journey.
rachael Itzen
Rachael is a multi-instrumental music teacher from southern Minnesota and has a bachelor's degree in Music Education from MSU Mankato, and is also the Manager at Rock U. She has experience teaching pre-k all the way through high school. Rachael also loves to travel and collect weird and interesting instruments. She spent a few months living and teaching music in Costa Rica. Rachael has played with a variety of bands ranging from folk bands to orchestras to marching bands. Her teaching is focused on finding musical sparks in her students to help build lifelong enjoyment.
Jake schultz
Jake has been a regular in the Twin Cities/Fargo music scene for over 5 years now. Playing in 4 bands currently and writing music for all of them (Agony Reigns, The Motion Mosaic, Maul and Klazomaniac), Jake is well versed in what it takes to be a proficient musician both on and off the stage. Whether it’s guitar, drums, bass, songwriting, he can help you achieve your goals and inspire you in any style/genre you prefer. His main goal is to make sure you have fun and take away at least 1 new thing every lesson. He’s a lover of music, and wants to share that same passion with you! Jake is also the Assistant Manager at Rock U.
Trenton skalicky
Trenton is a singer/songwriter, pianist, vocalist, and audio producer with a passion for music, performance, and production. In addition to teaching, Trenton has spent the past five years gigging with his band “Sweet Pea” and working on creative projects such as recording bands and acting in films. He is passionate about making sure his students take something special out of every lesson.
Grey tison
Grey Tison is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and teacher based out of St. Paul. He specializes in piano, percussion of all kinds, accordion, theory, production/composition, and the basics of music and improvisation on all band and orchestra instruments. There is a strong emphasis on using technology for new creative outlets, as well as jamming in-person. Grey uses his education and performing experience in a blend of teaching for any music lover, any age, and any passion.