Music Lessons
Elizabeth Becker
Violin / Viola
Beth Becker has taught in the School District of La Crosse since 1988. She currently directs orchestras at North Woods and Roosevelt Elementary schools (grades 4 and 5) and at Logan Middle School (grades 7 and 8). She also plays Assistant Principal Viola in the La Crosse Symphony, teaches the River City Strings, and conducts the Wesley Methodist Youth Orchestra. During her college years, Beth studied viola with John Tartaglia (Minnesota Orchestra) and violin with Young Nam Kim, and in 1989 she graduated from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, with a B.S. degree in Music Education. Since moving to the La Crosse area, Beth has conducted the La Crosse Youth Symphony Philharmonic Orchestra, received her Master of Education - Professional Development Degree, and taught privately.
Contact the store to get in touch with Beth!
Jim Knutson
Drums / Percussion
Jim Knutson has taught at Onalaska High School, St. Mary’s University in Winona, and Cotter High School. He has directed week-long world music academies in Milwaukee, Appleton, Madison and La Crosse. Jim also plays with and has soloed with the La Crosse Symphony and directs the Bell choirs at English and First Lutheran and plays in the Praise Band at his church. He was the timpanist/clinician with the professional concert band, Windiana, on their China Tour in the summer of 2006. He has music published with RGM and his group “Latin Vibe” gigs in the tri-state area. Jim’s website: couleeregionmusic.weebly.com describes his other musical offerings including the 10 piece CR Steel Band, the CR High School Jazz All-Stars and the CR Drum Ensemble. Jim was guest artist at the 2014 Percussionfest, taught at a music camp in Haiti July 2014 and was inducted into the Austin, MN Music Hall of Fame in May 2014.
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Kyle Renfro
Guitar
Kyle started studying guitar at the age of 9 in Wichita, Kansas. After a few months of lessons his family moved to Knoxville, Tennessee where he studied for 10 years under a session musician from Nashville. He went to college at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse where he studied Classical Guitar performance and Music Composition. Kyle plays in local La Crosse bands KR3, Flibbertijibbet, Pick 6, and Slow No Wake.
Joe Clark
Piano
Joe studied classical piano at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse under Dallas Weekly. He started expanding his style of play by playing in many different bands over the years. These styles include Dixie, Blues, Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Country, R&B and Gospel, incorporating his fundamental and classical training into all of his performances. Having played in many different bands over the years, Joe has gained experience in performing in many types of venues from small coffee shops all the way up to large concert halls, including the Hard Rock Casino. He also has had the opportunity to work with and perform with countless experienced musicians.
The key to productive piano performance is a sound fundamental approach to the basics of piano technique. This concept is important to all styles of music. Regardless of the style of music you prefer, the same fundamentals apply. Technique, theory, ear training, all apply to all styles of music. Joe brings to the table a very sound fundamental program with the ability to guide the student through any style of music and nurture the desire for that style. In his years of playing a variety of music and as a member of many bands, he will be able to translate these different experiences into the student's desire to perform any style of music.
Joe is new to the La Crosse area and is looking forward to teaching and engaging musicians in the local music scene.
Contact the store to get in touch with Joe!