Brass Teachers

To register for lessons with any of our brass teachers, please click here. To inquire, please email us here. We are excited to hear from you.

J Lenz - Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Euphonium/ Baritone, French Horn

J Lenz has been playing and teaching music professionally in the twin cities for over twenty years. He has performed across the U.S. and Europe with his string band Pert Near Sandstone, and also plays a variety of string and brass instruments in many other regional music projects. J is an accomplished songwriter, he studied music composition at UW Oshkosh, UW Eau Claire, and the U of M. He balances practical methods and personal experience with a variety of music styles to cater lessons around each individual student. J has a passion for teaching and focuses on making his music lessons enlightening and fun.

  • J currently teaches on Mondays

  • J also teaches guitar (all styles), mandolin, ukulele, and beginner bass guitar

  • Lessons with J start at $33 for 30 minutes

Valerie Evans

she/her

Valerie Evans has been teaching private voice, trombone, and beginning piano since 2018. She is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist from Central Wisconsin, and holds a B.A. in Vocal and Trombone Performance from UW-Stevens Point.

At the root of her teaching philosophy, Valerie hopes to instill a love and admiration for music. She believes in guiding her students with a kind but steady hand in order to establish the dedicated qualities of a well rounded musician. Through this approach, she finds it remarkable to witness the growth and authenticity each individual is capable of no matter where they begin.

In addition to her classical training, Valerie explores an array of genres including jazz, soul, indie, folk, pop, and musical theatre. As a freelance musician, she’s had the opportunity to perform all across the midwest. She plays in a number of bands including Mélange Trio (voice), Echo Parlor (voice/keys), Hip Pocket (trombone), and an Electric Bass/Vocal duo with her partner. Each ensemble allows her to stretch different musical muscles, which has spurred her curiosity to learn different approaches to music making.

Before moving to Minneapolis, Valerie ran her own private studio in Eau Claire, WI and worked for the Stand in the Light Memory Choir, an organization that uses the power of singing to move people with memory loss and their care partners to rediscover themselves, make friends, laugh together, and contribute to their community.

  • Valerie teaches Thursdays and Fridays

  • Lessons with Valerie start at $33 for 30 minutes

Beckett Shuholm - Trumpet
they/them

Beckett Shuholm holds a Bachelor of Music degree from St. Olaf College and a Master of Music degree in trumpet performance from the University of Minnesota. Upon graduating, Beckett is now an active freelance musician in the Twin Cities metro and regularly substitutes in regional orchestras across the midwest, including the Austin Symphony Orchestra, the St. Cloud Symphony, and the Mankato Symphony. 

An advocate for exploration-based learning, Beckett is committed to helping their students expand their problem-solving tool kit. Beckett’s trumpet pedagogy centers around relaxed posture, intentional breathing, and a balanced embouchure. With a side hobby of reading neuroscience nonfiction, Beckett incorporates the science of learning to help students with practice strategies, audition preparation, performance anxiety, and making the most out of limited practice time. 

While originally from northern California, Beckett has been delighted to call Minnesota home for six years. They live in Minneapolis with their partner, two cats, and a bearded dragon.

  • Beckett currently teaches on Saturdays

  • Lessons with Beckett start at $35 for 30 minutes