Piano – Amy Reiber
Amy has been playing piano for twenty years, the last fourteen of which have been spent teaching students of all ages. She studied piano under Leszek Bartkiewicz at Macomb Community College, where she graduated with an Associate of Arts and Music Performance. Along with reading music, students will be exposed to theory and ear training, though lessons are catered to compliment the goals of each student. Her teaching style differs from student to student, depending on each individual’s strengths and needs. Though proper playing techniques are highly valued and strived for, she also believes that music should be fun, and focuses on balancing hard work with enjoyment. The goal here is not to simply impart knowledge, but to teach others how to independently analyze, process, and practice music in a meaningful way.
Piano – Bradley Crooker
Mr. Crooker began his piano studies at Ardis Music in 1997, starting his teaching role in 2006. Mr. Crooker also studied clarinet and mallet percussion, playing for his high school marching band, East Side Fury, and the Wayne State University Wind symphony. In over a decade of teaching, he has had the opportunity to instruct students of all ages and backgrounds, many with no prior musical exposure.
Mr. Crooker believes a broader teaching of music parallels a sound piano training. Students learn fundamentals of music—learning to read the notes, rhythms, and methods to convey the expression—in addition to the techniques unique to the piano. He also recognizes that each student has his or her own ambitions behind the decision to journey into the world of music and supports each student to achieve his or her individual goals.
Outside of Ardis Music, Mr. Crooker offers his piano performing abilities as an accompanist for soloists and for special events. His interests include music theory and composition, and can often be heard learning new classical music at the piano. He holds a B.S. in chemical engineering and is a juris doctor candidate.
Violin – Janine Rossol
Mrs. Rossol has played the piano for over 60 years and the violin for 57 with over 30 years of teaching experience. She has studied under DSO violinist Gaye Rose, and John Miller and Ramon Garza who are both violinists with several distinguished orchestras.
Her areas of expertise include classical, traditional, pop, new age, theory, teaching Sukuki and classical violin methods together. She plays: solos for weddings, parties, church, solo/ensemble at MSBOA and MMF competitions, accompaniment, and worship team. She has been a member of the Macomb Symphony Orchestra and Lake St. Clair Symphony Orchestra, Chamber groups and quartets.
Mrs. Rossol strongly advocates a classical approach to learning music with intentions of springboarding to all types of music. Teaching/learning music is a very individualistic experience. Through interaction with the student, the best teaching methods are determined in order to best catapult the learning experience.
Percussion – Mike Walsh
Mr. Walsh has been playing percussion for over 25 years, and has been teaching for 15. Mr. Walsh has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Oakland University, and has studied music with notable artists Steve Adams, Nick Backos, and Ralph Biggs. He has been playing in bands since beginning his music studies, playing bass and tenor in L’Anse Creuse’s marching band, as well touring with Hollow Earth for five years. Mr. Walsh’s area of expertise is rock music, with emphasis on rudimental chops. He also has experience with recording in various studios and settings.
Brass – Thomas Haney
Mr. Haney has been playing brass for almost 20 years, and teaching for 11. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Studies from Wayne State University. He plays trombone for Midtown Sounds, a jazz band of which he is a founding member. Mr. Haney has also performed with Wayne State University Big Band, as well as performing at the Detroit Jazz festival, and with greats like Danilo Perez and Joshua Redman. His area of expertise is brass instruments, particularly trombone.
Guitar, Banjo, Bass, Ukulele – Joe Pajakowski
Mr. Pajakowski has been playing guitar for fifty-five years , and teaching for thirty. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communication, and a Master of Arts in Visual Communication. He has studied music privately for eighteen years, as well as playing in middle school jazz band, and in high school band. Mr. Pajakowski has performed as a solo acoustic artist for fifteen years, as well as playing in bands for special events. His areas of expertise include guitar, bass, banjo, ukulele, vocal instruction, music theory, and music writing.
Saxophone, Clarinet – Walter McCray
Mr. McCray has been playing woodwinds for over 35 years, and has taught for almost 30. Mr. McCray studied saxophone and music education at Wayne State University, and has played in various pit orchestras. His areas of expertise are saxophone and clarinet, and he teaches at L’Anse Creuse High School.
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele – Tom Bartelmay
Tom is a freelance guitarist and bassist who has been playing for 15 years. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in jazz studies from Wayne State University, and a Masters Degree in Composition from Wayne State. He has studied with Chuck Newsome, Steven Carryer and others. Along with continuing his education and teaching, Tom plays and records with many popular groups around the Detroit area. Tom’s areas of expertise include improvisation, blues, and jazz.
Piano & Flute – Krissie Reardon
Krissie began studying piano in 1994 and loves playing other instruments as well, especially flute and ukulele. She double majored in flute and piano and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Oakland University in Music Education (kindergarten – 12th grade) in 2010. During her stay at Oakland, she enjoyed participating in various ensembles, including the Flute Choir (flute and alto flute), Wind Ensemble (piccolo and piano), Brass Band (alto horn), and steel drum band (tenor pan). She also loves singing, karaoke and original compositions.
Lessons include a strong foundation of Musical Literacy – not just reading, but writing music as well; with individualized supplemental exercises for each student’s optimal success. From the beginning, students are taught critical thinking skills and practice strategies that will serve them later in life, in many other disciplines. Krissie works as a preschool teacher (3 & 4s), and enjoys teaching students of all ages. As piano students become musically literate, we explore the harmonies and foundational chords to music, learning inversions, common chord progressions, and different grooves that enable students to quickly learn any song they like and begin writing their own.
Krissie teaches piano, flute, and vocal lessons, and also coaches ensembles for MSBOA Solo & Ensemble. She studied at Ardis Music years ago, and is excited to be back, and helping now!
Piano, Voice – Elizabeth Malaga-Spica
Liz started her musical journey at the age of 6 on the accordion, and added piano, organ and voice soon thereafter. She attended Wayne State University and earned her degree there in Vocal Music Education. Liz has performed with many groups and has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Performing Arts Center. She is an experienced accompanist for MSBOA and MSVOA, and has accompanied several middle school and high school groups, been a church musician and singer for many years and has played for various community group musicals. Liz has over 40 years of teaching experience to all ages and all skill levels. Many things are focused on in lessons including proper technique, theory, ear training, and proper breathing skills and technique for voice lessons. Lessons are tailored to fit the skills and interests of each student. Miss Liz enjoys passing on her love of music to each and every student that she teaches!
Guitar, Ukulele, and Bass – Ian Blunden
Ian earned a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance at Wayne State University and has studied under Chuck Newsome, Russ Miller, Vincent Chandler, Rob Pipho and Chris Collins. In addition to playing guitar for 20 years and teaching for over ten, he also regularly performs around metro Detroit at venues such as Cliff Bells and the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe. He plays with several local groups and has toured with the group Signal Quartet, including a performance at the Detroit Jazz Festival. His areas of expertise include improvisation, music theory, sight reading, and composition.
Piano – Eli Bucheit
Eli Bucheit is a keyboard player who resides in Detroit, Michigan. After earning his BFA in Jazz Studies from the University of Michigan, Eli moved to Detroit to continue his education as the Gretchen Valade Graduate Assistant in Jazz at Wayne State University. Eli enjoys listening to and playing all types of music, and is especially interested in finding common ground between the boundaries of genre. As part of his life in music, Eli enjoys teaching students of all ages, meeting them where they are in their music journey and building skill one step at a time.
Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Piano – Alex Colista
Alex Colista is a Detroit based multi instrumentalist with primary focus on saxophone. He is a composer and has experience giving private musical instruction to many students over the years. He has been performing professionally since the age of 13 and began leading his own band
with a weekly gig at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge at age 14. Since then he has travelled to many places across the world like Panama, France, and Germany to name a few. He has also been able to play music with some of the world’s most talented musicians such as Ralphe Armstrong, Marcus Belgrave, Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, Michael Henderson, Larry Coryell and Lenny White and many more.
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele – Max Bowen
Max is a jazz guitarist based in southeast Michigan. Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Max is an alumnus of Community High School’s award-winning jazz program. After receiving a BA in Philosophy from Lawrence University, Max lived in Milwaukee where he performed with the WAMI nominated Match Stick, the hip-hop collective Ruby Yacht and his trio. As part of Ruby Yacht, Max opened for Future Islands during their 2017 North American tour. Returning to Ann Arbor in fall 2017, Max completed a Masters of Music at the University of Michigan studying under Miles Okazaki. Since re-settling in Michigan, Max has performed and/or recorded with Detroit luminaries such as Vincent Chandler, Marion Hayden, Leonard King, and Musique Noire. Additionally, Max teaches guitar privately, focusing on music theory and improvisation.
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele – Kyle Rozich
Kyle earned his degree in Music Industry Studies from Appalachian State University. He tailor his lessons to each individual student based on their strengths and interests, specializing in music theory, instrument maintenance, sight reading, improvisation, and songwriting. He has many years of teaching experience and has played guitar with several touring and recording bands.
Voice – Melody Balos
Melody Balos is a dedicated and passionate jazz vocalist and educator with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Wayne State University. With extensive experience as a performer, Melody has captivated audiences with their diverse repertoire of jazz standards and contemporary music. Melody also excels in teaching, providing private vocal coaching and mentoring to aspiring jazz vocalists. Additionally, their tutoring expertise extends to subjects such as English, Literature, Essay Writing, Psychology, and Italian. Melody’s talent and dedication have earned them awards, including being a finalist for Classical Voice at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival. Melody is committed to inspiring and guiding students of all ages and skill levels in the art of jazz and classical vocal technique, composition, and improvisation.
Violin – Jenna Zito
“Jenna began her musical journey at age 10, inspired by her elementary school teacher. She honed her skills through private studies at Oakland University, participation in chamber and orchestral ensembles, and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Oakland University in 2016.
Certified in the Suzuki method, Jenna teaches private violin, nurturing young musicians. She has performed with the Troy Metro Symphony Orchestra since 2016, balancing her roles as a musician, teacher, and mother. In her free time, Jenna enjoys gardening, cooking, and playing chamber music at the Church of the Advent in Lake Orion.”
Percussion – Scott Hokett
Scott has been playing drums and percussion for over 25 years. He studied under Matt Ownby and Aaron Swick at Novi percussion and Motor City percussion. He plays a variety of drum set styles and marching percussion. He is currently the Director of South Lyon Percussion indoor percussion and the Percussion caption head for the South Lyon High School Marching Band. When he’s not teaching, you can find him performing at Detroit Red Wings games with The Detroit Red Wings Drumline, The Original Stix, Or at Detroit Tigers games with the drumline. Scott can teach percussion at the beginner or advanced levels, teaching advanced rhythms and techniques. Or just the basics for beginners!
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