Piano Faculty

D.M.A. Piano Performance awarded in December 1984. Studied under Paul Freed, University of Minnesota

Teaching Experience: Dr. Martin Luther College, piano instructor University of Minnesota, Teaching Assistant in Music Theory and Piano Concordia University, adjunct Piano Instructor Piano Instructor: The Studio Grand, Fanfare Music Studios, MN Valley Academy of Music, independent home studio

Holds degrees in Piano Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the New England Conservatory. She has been teaching piano to children and adults in the Twin Cities area since 1992 and emphasizes physical comfort and control to enhance the enjoyment of music and the piano. Mary also enjoys performing frequently as a collaborative artist as well as a soloist. She is a performing member of Thursday Musical and an active member of the national Guild of Piano Teachers and Minnesota Music Teachers Association.

Kevin is a jazz pianist/composer whose creativity, sensitivity and versatility surely place him as a great up and coming musician. While in college, his jazz combo won the Eau Claire Jazz Festival in ’08 and ’09 performing some of Kevin’s compositions. Kevin’s music has been played on Jazz 88 FM in the Twin Cities and AllAboutJazz.com. He has played with Grammy award winning Andre Fischer and Craig Rice, former manager of Prince, Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston. He has taught piano lessons at Minnesota Valley Conservatory of Music since August of 2009 and is looking forward to the future as a performer

and improviser, teacher, and composer.

Jim is our jazz, imporvisation and keyboard specialist. He teaches many adult and high school students especially those who want

to learn to imporvise. Jim is a graduate of Macalester College and one of his two Master’s degrees reflects his interest in church music and liturgy. He plays professionally as a soloist and in ensembles. Jim is a member of the National GUild of Piano Teachers, the Hymn Society of the US and the American Federation of Musicians.

Helen Peterson, Director of MN Valley Conservatory Music also teaches a unique piano method called SIMPLY MUSIC®. This is a unique piano method that delays reading while enabling the student to learn and play lots of songs fast! Simply Music® is a great fit for adult beginners, and young students who will need motivation through the learning to read process. Helen is also a Kindermusik Educator and has been honored many times for running on of the largest and best programs world wide, Kindermusik of the Valley was voted best music class in the Twin Cities by Parents Picks and Helen was chosen as Kindermusik’s Inspirational Educator of the Year for her work on curriculum development, educator training and outreach work in her community.

Karmen has a wide breadth of teaching experience ranging from private piano instructions, Kindergarten teacher, Preschool director, and Kindermusik® educator. Karmen holds a BS in Education and a minor in music from Gustavous Adolfus College. A life time of committing herself to teaching and fostering a love of learning in others is her gift and work.