Instructors
\
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 439 West Maple Street |
| River Falls Academy, Suite 212 |
| River Falls, WI 54022 |
| Tel: 715-425-0170 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| “Every child grows; everything depends on the teacher.” Shinichi Suzuki |
| HeartStrings Studio River Falls Academy, Suite 212 439 West Maple Street River Falls, WI 54022 Tel: 715-425-0170 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RACHEL KNIPFER:: Cello
Growing up in Rochester, MN, Rachel Knipfer gained an early love of
music with the piano at age 6. At age 10, Rachel began her study
of the cello in the Rochester Public Schools and later began
studying with Hong Wang, professor of cello at Bethel and
Concordia Universities. During high school, Rachel spent two
summers studying with Tanya Remenikova at the University of
Minnesota - Twin Cities.
After high school, Rachel attended the Lawrence University
Conservatory of Music where she studied with Janet Anthony and
received a Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Music
Education. During her time at Lawrence University Rachel studied
in London, England with cellist Selma Goken, with focus on the
Alexander Technique of posture and practice. During her senior
year at Lawrence University, Rachel became increasingly interested
Growing up in Rochester, MN, Rachel Knipfer gained an early love of
music with the piano at age 6. At age 10, Rachel began her study
of the cello in the Rochester Public Schools and later began
studying with Hong Wang, professor of cello at Bethel and
Concordia Universities. During high school, Rachel spent two
summers studying with Tanya Remenikova at the University of
Minnesota - Twin Cities.
After high school, Rachel attended the Lawrence University
Conservatory of Music where she studied with Janet Anthony and
received a Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Music
Education. During her time at Lawrence University Rachel studied
in London, England with cellist Selma Goken, with focus on the
Alexander Technique of posture and practice. During her senior
year at Lawrence University, Rachel became increasingly interested
WENDY TANGEN-FOSTER :: Violin
Dedicated to the Suzuki Approach, Wendy Tangen-Foster has been
teaching Suzuki private and group lessons for ten years. Beginning on
a “box-violin” at age five, Wendy studied Suzuki Violin with Professor
Emeritus of Strings LeRoy Bauer through high school. She continued
her studies in violin performance at the Lionel Hampton School of
Music in Idaho and went on to receive a B.S. in Music from the
University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Wendy has studied Suzuki Pedagogy with such renowned teachers as
Joanne Bath, Ronda Cole, Alice Joy Lewis, Nancy Lokken, Edmund
Sprunger, and Craig Timmerman. She has completed Suzuki Violin
Teacher Development Units 1 through 5, Violin Practicum, Books 1-4
Overview, Books 1-6 Overview, and Every Child Can. In Idaho, Wendy
taught violin for the Moscow Public Schools, Giant Steps Preschool,
and was a faculty member of the Palouse Suzuki Strings. From 2004-
2006, she ran an after-school violin program for Academia Cesar
Chavez, a charter school in St. Paul.
Dedicated to the Suzuki Approach, Wendy Tangen-Foster has been
teaching Suzuki private and group lessons for ten years. Beginning on
a “box-violin” at age five, Wendy studied Suzuki Violin with Professor
Emeritus of Strings LeRoy Bauer through high school. She continued
her studies in violin performance at the Lionel Hampton School of
Music in Idaho and went on to receive a B.S. in Music from the
University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Wendy has studied Suzuki Pedagogy with such renowned teachers as
Joanne Bath, Ronda Cole, Alice Joy Lewis, Nancy Lokken, Edmund
Sprunger, and Craig Timmerman. She has completed Suzuki Violin
Teacher Development Units 1 through 5, Violin Practicum, Books 1-4
Overview, Books 1-6 Overview, and Every Child Can. In Idaho, Wendy
taught violin for the Moscow Public Schools, Giant Steps Preschool,
and was a faculty member of the Palouse Suzuki Strings. From 2004-
2006, she ran an after-school violin program for Academia Cesar
Chavez, a charter school in St. Paul.
An avid performer, Wendy has studied chamber music with the Philadelphia String Quartet, the Lafayette
String Quartet, and the Apple Hill Chamber Players and has performed as a first violinist with the
Washington-Idaho Symphony, the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, and the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
in the Twin Cities. Wendy’s interest and expertise expands beyond classical, having studied jazz violin and
improvisation with Randy Sabien and recently forming a violin-bass-guitar jazz trio called The LoveCats.
Wendy has enjoyed teaching group and private lessons at HeartStrings since 2003. Currently President of
the Suzuki Association of Minnesota, Wendy lives in St. Paul where she also teaches at the St. Paul
Conservatory of Music and serves as the director of their Suzuki Department. When not teaching, Wendy
can be found performing, arranging, and recording as a freelance musician with her trio and with a
blues/rock/soul band. Wendy’s passion for teaching stems from her love of children and from her love of
live music in many genres.
String Quartet, and the Apple Hill Chamber Players and has performed as a first violinist with the
Washington-Idaho Symphony, the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, and the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
in the Twin Cities. Wendy’s interest and expertise expands beyond classical, having studied jazz violin and
improvisation with Randy Sabien and recently forming a violin-bass-guitar jazz trio called The LoveCats.
Wendy has enjoyed teaching group and private lessons at HeartStrings since 2003. Currently President of
the Suzuki Association of Minnesota, Wendy lives in St. Paul where she also teaches at the St. Paul
Conservatory of Music and serves as the director of their Suzuki Department. When not teaching, Wendy
can be found performing, arranging, and recording as a freelance musician with her trio and with a
blues/rock/soul band. Wendy’s passion for teaching stems from her love of children and from her love of
live music in many genres.
and Young Nam Kim. Her students have gone on to study music at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, CalArts
School of Music, University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota.
As an educator Joan has served on the Suzuki Association of Minnesota Board and as Orchestra Director
and String Instructor at the St. Croix Preparatory Academy in Stillwater Minnesota. In the summers she's
taught at the Ottawa Suzuki Institute in Ottawa Kansas, the Chizibii Insttiute in Bemidji, Minnesota, and
the String Retreat in Rapid City, South Dakota.
A passionate performer and chamber musician, Joan is currently concertmaster of the Chippewa Valley
Symphony in Eau Claire Wisconsin. Past experiences include performing as a violinist in a
Minneapolis-based string quartet, as assistant principal violinist in the Duluth Symphony orchestra, as
concertmaster and soloist with the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra.
While Joan brings knowledge and expertise to her craft, what gives her great joy are encounters with
students and their families: witnessing growth, celebrating success and finding joy in the process.
School of Music, University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota.
As an educator Joan has served on the Suzuki Association of Minnesota Board and as Orchestra Director
and String Instructor at the St. Croix Preparatory Academy in Stillwater Minnesota. In the summers she's
taught at the Ottawa Suzuki Institute in Ottawa Kansas, the Chizibii Insttiute in Bemidji, Minnesota, and
the String Retreat in Rapid City, South Dakota.
A passionate performer and chamber musician, Joan is currently concertmaster of the Chippewa Valley
Symphony in Eau Claire Wisconsin. Past experiences include performing as a violinist in a
Minneapolis-based string quartet, as assistant principal violinist in the Duluth Symphony orchestra, as
concertmaster and soloist with the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra.
While Joan brings knowledge and expertise to her craft, what gives her great joy are encounters with
students and their families: witnessing growth, celebrating success and finding joy in the process.
KEVIN ROWE:: Bass
Kevin Rowe is a freelance bassist, teacher, performer, and composer in
the Twin Cities area. A Wisconsin native, he completed his bachelor’s
in music performance at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. He has
performed with great jazz artists such as Benny Green, Maria Schneider,
Byron Stripling, Carl Allen, Stanley Jordan, and Phil Hey, as well as
performing with popular artists like Futureman of Bela Fleck and the
Flecktones and Kofi Burbidge of the Derek Trucks Band. Kevin has
performed classically with the UW-Eau Claire Symphony Orchestra, the
UW-Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, and the Chippewa Valley Symphony
Orchestra, jazz with the UW-Eau Claire Jazz I, and toured with the rock
group Fat Maw Rooney. He currently performs with bluegrass wizard
Brian Wicklund and the Fiddlepals and the indie
folk group Buffalo Gospel.
Kevin Rowe is a freelance bassist, teacher, performer, and composer in
the Twin Cities area. A Wisconsin native, he completed his bachelor’s
in music performance at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. He has
performed with great jazz artists such as Benny Green, Maria Schneider,
Byron Stripling, Carl Allen, Stanley Jordan, and Phil Hey, as well as
performing with popular artists like Futureman of Bela Fleck and the
Flecktones and Kofi Burbidge of the Derek Trucks Band. Kevin has
performed classically with the UW-Eau Claire Symphony Orchestra, the
UW-Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, and the Chippewa Valley Symphony
Orchestra, jazz with the UW-Eau Claire Jazz I, and toured with the rock
group Fat Maw Rooney. He currently performs with bluegrass wizard
Brian Wicklund and the Fiddlepals and the indie
folk group Buffalo Gospel.
Kentucky native Brian Barnes is a professional musician and instructor
whose career spans more than 30 years. He has performed all around the
U.S. and in many foreign countries, playing bluegrass and country, jazz,
swing and world music. He's performed on national radio, played bluegrass
in Tokyo, sung Merle Haggard tunes in Germany, swung Swedish jazz
above the Arctic Circle, jammed the blues in Bulgaria, and sung for a plaza
full of dancers at Lincoln Center in New York.
As an instructor Brian has taught guitar, mandolin and music
theory/improvisation in many styles to individuals and groups of all ages.
whose career spans more than 30 years. He has performed all around the
U.S. and in many foreign countries, playing bluegrass and country, jazz,
swing and world music. He's performed on national radio, played bluegrass
in Tokyo, sung Merle Haggard tunes in Germany, swung Swedish jazz
above the Arctic Circle, jammed the blues in Bulgaria, and sung for a plaza
full of dancers at Lincoln Center in New York.
As an instructor Brian has taught guitar, mandolin and music
theory/improvisation in many styles to individuals and groups of all ages.
BRIAN BARNES:: Guitar / Mandolin / Ukelele
in Suzuki pedagogy and philosophy and began seeking out teacher training. Rachel has since completed
the Cello Teacher Training courses books 1 through 4 with Gilda Barston, Nancy Hair and Barbara
Wampner.
In addition to teaching cello privately at HeartStrings since 2008, Rachel teaches 4th through 7th grade
Orchestra in Hudson, WI and directs the choir at the UU Society of River Falls, WI.
the Cello Teacher Training courses books 1 through 4 with Gilda Barston, Nancy Hair and Barbara
Wampner.
In addition to teaching cello privately at HeartStrings since 2008, Rachel teaches 4th through 7th grade
Orchestra in Hudson, WI and directs the choir at the UU Society of River Falls, WI.
JOAN MOLLOY :: Violin & Viola
Founder and Director of HeartsStrings Studio, Joan Molloy studied at
Bowling Green State University in Ohio and at the University of
Minnesota, where she received a Bachelor of Music Degree in
Performance. She went on to study Suzuki Method pedagogy and has
completed Suzuki Teacher Development Units 1 through 8, Teacher
Practicum, and many Overview and Teacher Enrichment Courses.
HeartsStrings Studio embodies Shinichi's Suzuki's belief that talent can
be nurtured in every child and that every child can learn to play well and
express themselves musically. In concert with Suzuki's philosophy Joan
believes that the skills and abilities that are developed through this
positive and joyful approach serve students throughout their lives.
Joan's teachers and influences include Alice Joy Lewis, Ronda Cole,
Nancy Lokken, Mimi Zweig, Alex Shum, Aaron Janse, Edmund Sprunger
Founder and Director of HeartsStrings Studio, Joan Molloy studied at
Bowling Green State University in Ohio and at the University of
Minnesota, where she received a Bachelor of Music Degree in
Performance. She went on to study Suzuki Method pedagogy and has
completed Suzuki Teacher Development Units 1 through 8, Teacher
Practicum, and many Overview and Teacher Enrichment Courses.
HeartsStrings Studio embodies Shinichi's Suzuki's belief that talent can
be nurtured in every child and that every child can learn to play well and
express themselves musically. In concert with Suzuki's philosophy Joan
believes that the skills and abilities that are developed through this
positive and joyful approach serve students throughout their lives.
Joan's teachers and influences include Alice Joy Lewis, Ronda Cole,
Nancy Lokken, Mimi Zweig, Alex Shum, Aaron Janse, Edmund Sprunger
KATHLEEN LAMB:: Violin /Fiddle/Chamber Coaching
Kathleen Lamb, a native of River Falls, Wisconsin, began her violin
studies using the Suzuki approach at age 6. Kathleen has been
teaching violin to students from age 4 to adult since 2000. In the
summer of 2005, she directed a week-long Chamber Music & Fiddle
Camp for beginning violinists, and she taught in the San Francisco
Public Schools as an assistant violin instructor. Kathleen is excited
about her new appointment as violin instructor for SoundStrings, a
non-profit organization in Red Wing, where she will be teaching
violin to specially selected students in Kindergarten and1st grade.
Kathleen started violin with Joan Molloy and studied with Ray Shows
and Nancy Oliveros of the Artaria String Quartet in high school. She
holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the San
Francisco Conservatory of Music where she studied violin with Ian
Swensen and chamber music with Mark Sokol and Yoshikazu Nagai.
An avid performer, Kathleen has concertized publically since she was
8 years old. She has performed chamber music at venues
Kathleen Lamb, a native of River Falls, Wisconsin, began her violin
studies using the Suzuki approach at age 6. Kathleen has been
teaching violin to students from age 4 to adult since 2000. In the
summer of 2005, she directed a week-long Chamber Music & Fiddle
Camp for beginning violinists, and she taught in the San Francisco
Public Schools as an assistant violin instructor. Kathleen is excited
about her new appointment as violin instructor for SoundStrings, a
non-profit organization in Red Wing, where she will be teaching
violin to specially selected students in Kindergarten and1st grade.
Kathleen started violin with Joan Molloy and studied with Ray Shows
and Nancy Oliveros of the Artaria String Quartet in high school. She
holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the San
Francisco Conservatory of Music where she studied violin with Ian
Swensen and chamber music with Mark Sokol and Yoshikazu Nagai.
An avid performer, Kathleen has concertized publically since she was
8 years old. She has performed chamber music at venues
nationally and internationally. Kathleen is currently playing in the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra (MN),
the Rochester Symphony Orchestra (MN), and the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra (WI).
Kathleen’s teaching approach is influenced by Traditional, Suzuki, Fiddle and O’Connor methods. She
tailors her teaching style to fit each student’s needs and to cultivate their potential in a nurturing
environment that builds self-confidence, perseverance, and creativity. Above all, it is Kathleen’s goal to
foster in each student, a life-long joy for music and its ability to transform people’s lives in countless
ways.
Kathleen also enjoys cooking & baking, yoga, sewing, ballroom dancing, and training her dog Wolfgang.
the Rochester Symphony Orchestra (MN), and the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra (WI).
Kathleen’s teaching approach is influenced by Traditional, Suzuki, Fiddle and O’Connor methods. She
tailors her teaching style to fit each student’s needs and to cultivate their potential in a nurturing
environment that builds self-confidence, perseverance, and creativity. Above all, it is Kathleen’s goal to
foster in each student, a life-long joy for music and its ability to transform people’s lives in countless
ways.
Kathleen also enjoys cooking & baking, yoga, sewing, ballroom dancing, and training her dog Wolfgang.
Kevin is an experienced educator, teaching professionally for over six years. Along with private lessons,
he has taught master classes at schools across Wisconsin in both classical bass and jazz rhythm section.
He teaches all styles, ages, and experience levels on both the upright and electric bass.
he has taught master classes at schools across Wisconsin in both classical bass and jazz rhythm section.
He teaches all styles, ages, and experience levels on both the upright and electric bass.