In the spirit of providing a supportive and professional environment for students of all ages to learn and develop their artistry, the Center for Performing Arts has created a unique music instruction program, honoring the value of diversity and respectful of the independent visions of our teacher/artists. Each teacher at CPA approaches his/her teaching uniquely, from a diverse cultural, educational, and/or philosophical perspective. These visions are expressed in the teacher's biography and/or studio philosophy/statement below. Instructors are listed alphabetically.

CELLO: Tom Austin
(612) 823-7644 | tomaustin12@hotmail.com
Studio 106
Tom is a member of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra and a freelance musician. He has over twenty years experience of teaching. He uses Dounis techniques, the Suzuki method and traditional techniques to bring his students to their highest level of musicianship while having fun at the same time. Students are given many opportunities throughout the year to perform in a nurturing, non-competitive community atmosphere. Tom studied at UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee and with George Neikurg in Boston.

PIANO: Zach Dietz
(320) 420-6460 | zach.dietz@gmail.com
Studio B1
Zach teaches beginning piano lessons for all ages as well as continuing studies for intermediate to advanced students.  Instruction is also available for jazz students of any level with an intermediate piano background.  He holds a degree in music from St. Cloud State University as both a trained classical pianist and jazz musician.  He studied classically with Dr. Carmen Wilhite and Dr. James Dennihan and received his jazz training from Dr. Kim Gast.  Perhaps most important is the real world experience shared through lessons with his students fostered by his own education in country, jazz, R+B, funk and all things hip courtesy his teacher and longtime Twin Cities pianist/musician John Pinckaers.

PIANO: Sharon Follingstad
(763) 535-4586 | SFollingstadDMus@aol.com
Studio 202
Dr. Sharon Follingstad is an active, Master-Certified member of the Minnesota Music Teachers Association (affiliated with MTNA) as well as the Minneapolis Music Teachers Forum. She has taught piano to both children and adults for thirty-two years. In addition to her piano instruction, she is a professional organist, church musician and college music professor having served in a variety of positions and venues over the years. She studied piano with Martha Baker, Elizabeth Wolff, George Fee and Menahem Pressler at Indiana University where she received her Doctor of Music degree. Dr. Follingstad enjoys incorporating the disciplines of music theory, music history and Dalcroze Eurhythmics into her studio instruction. Her studio is equipped with a GS-50 Kawai Grand Piano.

STRING STUDIO: Miya Kunin
(612) 702-0607 | MiyaKunin@gmail.com
Studio 105
Miya hold's her Bachelor's degree from Augsburg College, where she studied violin performance and string pedagogy with Mary Budd Horozaniecki. Miya has many years of experience teaching, coaching and performing stringed instruments. She brings her vast knowledge of theory, technique, ensemble work, musicality, performance technique and creativity to the studio. Miya is currently teaching an after school strings program at Hale Elementary school, and coaching violin sectionals for the Southwest High School orchestra. Miya has always held a strong focus in both solo performance and chamber music studies. She had the opportunity to solo with the Augsburg Chamber Orchestra as a part of winning the concerto competition two years in a row. Currently Miya and her trio can be found performing at many community and private events around the Twin Cities area.

Miya places a focus on the needs of each individual student in attempts to create a very supportive and constructive environment for learning. She tries to work with the goals and desires of each student and family. She provides a combination of fun and lightheartedness with hard work, discipline and challenge, to help each student excel in their musical journey. She is a strong advocate for student performing as she feels this brings a great deal of strength to the student in their futures as a musician or otherwise. Miya Kunin's String Studio offers many performance opportunities throughout the year, including 3 concert recitals, 2 nursing home recitals, monthly masterclasses, annual practice marathon. All ages and levels of ability are welcome, please inquire about available lesson times. Schedule times change at the beginning and end of the school year. If there are no times currently available that work in your schedule, you may be placed on the waiting list.

PIANO: Tadeusz Majewski
(612) 481-1396 |
Studio B5
Taduesz offers instruction in piano and chamber music. His experience as a concert pianist, recording artist and a teacher spans 30 years. Among his achievements is his role as founder and director of the Chopin Society. His studio is equipped with a Steinway grand piano. He holds an Artist Diploma from the Chopin Conservatoire in Krakow, Poland.

PERCUSSION: Derrick Raiter
(612) 388-1850 | DRaiter@hotmail.com
Studio B6
Derrick is an accomplished performer and recording artist who has been teaching privately for approximately ten years. With a positive and individualized approach, all ages and ability levels are welcome for any style of music. Complete drumset, congas, and other auxiliary percussion instruments in studio.

VOICE AND PIANO: Roderick Teh
(612) 825-5017 | rateh1@aol.com
Studio B2
Roderick Teh offers individual instruction in singing, piano and musical theater for all ages and skill levels. Highly qualified with 25 years teaching experience. Studio is equipped with a Kawai grand piano. Curriculum includes weekly master classes and music theory. FTCL (Trinity College London), FLCM (London College of Music). Representative for Trinity College London, and London College of Music Examinations. Executive and Artistic Director, Ars Musica Summer Institute.

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